Describe the brand in five words.
Sold for $1.2 billion (in CASH). Inspirational.
(The first confirmed billion dollar buy)
What type of cleanser is it?
Balm
Who is it for?
Everyone – but the inci would suggest perhaps not if you’re acneic.
What’s in it?
ethylhexyl palmitate, peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, polyethylene, macadamia ternifolia seed oil, peg-8 isostearate, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, tocopheryl acetate, aqua/water/eau, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract, butylene glycol, glycerin, glyceryl linolenate, beta-sitosterol, ceteth-24, cholesterol, glyceryl linoleate, choleth-24, polysorbate 20, niacinamide, squalane, peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, glyceryl arachidonate, propylene glycol, panthenol, avena sativa (oat) kernel extract, ubiquinone, ceramide np, ceramide ap, phytosphingosine, curcuma longa (turmeric) root extract, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, disteardimonium hectorite, propylene carbonate, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, xanthan gum, copper tripeptide-1, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, acetyl hexapeptide-8, ceramide eos, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinyl palmitate, potassium cetyl phosphate, silica, hyaluronic acid, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, hydrolyzed collagen, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower water, colloidal oatmeal, leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, biotin, octyldodecanol, hydrogenated lecithin, carbomer, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium lactate, lecithin, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, cyclomethicone, dimethicone, paraffinum liquidum/ mineral oil/huile minerale, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) oil, citric acid, disodium edta, caprylyl glycol, phenoxyethanol, 1,2-hexanediol, ethylhexylglycerin, fragrance (parfum), alcohol
What’s not in it?
parabens, sulfates
Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
mineral oil, palm oil derivative, alcohol
Suitable for pregnancy?
Yes
Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
Man made
Tested on animals in home country/EU/sold in territories that advocate testing?
No/No/No
How does it smell?
It doesn’t really. Faintly of mild plastic, but in a good way, and I know that sounds wrong..
How do you use it?
As with most balms, apply on to dry skin, massage and remove with a flannel.
First cleanse/second cleanse or AM cleanse?
I would say first cleanse, the brand say any.
Best for winter or summer?
Either
Does it remove waterproof eye makeup?
Yes
How long did I test it for?
I bought it in January.
How much is it? /Size/Approximate cost per usage?
80g/approx 80ml for $38.00/£30.00 – if you used it everyday and were careful you could get a month out of it. If you double cleanse with it, less.
What’s the website like?
Good but only US facing, doesn’t ship to the UK.
https://www.itcosmetics.com/home
How’s the distribution? Available freely or limited?
QVC and Selfridges in the UK, Sephora and own website in the US.
What’s good about it?
This is very similar in texture to Take The Day Off Balm, seems slightly less opaque, but removes all makeup well. It contains ‘Skin-Softening Serum Collagen’ – a mix of hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, and antioxidants. I had no residue of makeup after two cleanses.
What’s not so good about it?
The mineral oil, although only in a small quantity, seems unnecessary as there are plenty of other emollient properties. Equally the shea is quite high up the inci list which would also make penetration of the serum mentioned in the previous section difficult, unless the only objective is to temporarily hydrate the stratum corneum, which it probably would.
It would potentially be problematic for acneic skins, but fine for sensitive/dryer skins, and of course, is made with rosacea in mind.
Would I purchase/repurchase?
I personally wouldn’t, but I wouldn’t say you shouldn’t. The mineral oil content is negligible and it’s not heavy.
Do you need it?
Depends how much you like/are loyal to the brand and need a balm. I personally think there are better ones on the market, but each to their own, and I understand the massive loyalty to this brand.
Similar products?
Clinique TTDO
Emma Hardie Moringa Balm
Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm
The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter
it Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup 3 in 1 Cleansing Balm is £30.00 from Selfridges.com and $34.00 from Sephora.com
