Champneys Super Rich Cleansing Balm – Review

Ignore the fact that it uses the word ‘Super’ in the title.
And ignore that it says ‘normal to dry skin’. This affordable balm is actually a nice find for most skin types.

What’s in it?

Literally :
Persea gratissima (Avocado) oil, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Copernicia cerifera (Carnauba) wax, Sorbitan laurate, Tetradecyloctadecyl stearate, Parfum (Fragrance), Anthemis nobilis flower oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia (Bergamot) fruit oil, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) oil, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) leaf oil, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Linalool, Dipropylene glycol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, BHT, Citral.

The avocado, jojoba and carnauba (palm) waxes form the base. I had a little flinch when I saw the palm wax – I know palm oil is not good for the environment but it would appear that palm wax is harvested differently? (If anyone knows differently – please let me know!) Also – Dr Hauschka use it in their products. So it should be ok right??
I think the palm wax is an integral part of this as it appears to be the ingredient that gives this its granular consistency.

What’s good about it?

Although it’s labelled as a balm, it’s really a kind of scrub. It’s very rough – in a good way – you get a great exfoliation and it’s a mahoosive 100ml pot – for £11.00. Yes. £11.00.
Not a mineral oil in sight.

What’s bad about it?

In my opinion its completely mislabelled. This is an exfoliator. Not a ‘Super Rich Cleansing Balm’.
It comes with a muslin cloth. Enough with the muslin cloths brands please! I have enough dusters. FLANNEL.
It’s a mixed message. The box says to use once a week – the website says ‘will remove all traces of makeup’… You do not want to rub this all over a mascara-laden eye. Unless you have myxomatosis perhaps?
It also recommends you rinse with cold water. Meh.

I do like this Balm.

But I would:

  • Use 2/3 times a week as an exfoliator.
  • Bin the muslin and buy a flannel.
  • Use at the 2nd cleanse stage in the evening or before a hydrating mask.
  • Never finish with a cold water splash. You don’t want extremes of temperature when you’ve just exfoliated.
  • Go straight in afterwards with your P50 or Liquid Gold and your skin will feel like silk in the morning.

Verdict? Absolutely worth the money, invest if you have any type of skin except really ‘super’ (see what I did there) sensitive. 

Just use it the way I recommend above – ignore them. Sorry Champneys.

£11.00 from Champneys online.

*PR Sample