It takes a lot for a cleansing balm to stop me in my tracks. Not because I don’t rate them but because I love them and I have tried so many – from budget high street offerings to expensive premium options – I feel like a bit of a connoisseur. Cleansing balms were first introduced to me when the double cleansing trend took off and I have to say I was hooked immediately.
My love for cleansing balms is because I hate my skin feeling tight or dehydrated, yet I want to make sure it’s completely clean. Although an oil cleanser can break down all the makeup I find the residue can often sit on the top of my skin, whereas a gel feels like it’s cleaning away the dirt and grime, but can often also feel like it’s stripping my skin of its natural oils. That’s why if push comes to shove I will always go back to a balm and it remains my texture of choice.
Although I’m a die hard fan, I’m not particularly loyal and for years I flitted between expensive balms like Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, Clinique Take The Day Off, Alpha H Cleansing Balm, Eve Lom and Emma Hardie, alongside cheaper options like The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter, Inkey List Oat Cleanser and Superdrug B Cleanse Melting Balm on a needs-must basis. With so many favourites, it is extremely rare for me to use a product I love so much I don’t want it to ever run out and look forward to using it every night.
Tatcha is one of those brands that entered the premium skincare market with a bang, all of its packaging is luxurious and beautiful, whilst its formulas live up to the hype. I have recommended it to lots of people when asked about it, although I have alway prefaced that this is up there with the more expensive brands. This is not one you want your tween stealing. It also isn’t something you buy on a whim, the range starts at around £40 and I would treat the products as an investment in your skin as well as your wellbeing.
As a big believer in skincare being a brilliant self-care tool and using my nightly routine as a wellbeing anchor I see products as so much more than the result. Sure, at this price you want something to work, but you also want it to feel good and boy does the new Tatcha Cleansing Balm (£40) do that and then some.
Read on why I have fallen in love with cleansing again after using it and why this could now take my top spot as my favourite balm of all time.
About Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm
Why I Like Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm
If you have ever found a cleansing balm too oily or too fragranced then this one is for you. It has a slightly different texture to the majority I have tried before, it almost feels like satin to touch and as you massage into the skin it softens as it melts away any of the dirt, makeup or grime. However for me the overwhelming plus is how, once you add water, it almost disappears immediately. Even some of my favourite cleansing balms need a couple of rinses or a cotton flannel to feel like it’s fully washed off, yet this one seems to rinse away with ease.
Before using this cleansing balm I was going through a very unusual period of irritation and breakouts. This is not my normal skin condition at all and I felt a bit at odds as to what products to use. I wanted to give my skin a chance to settle so wanted to avoid ingredient-packed products. After going back to basics I found my skin was struggling with hydration levels so this is when I decided to give this a go. Almost overnight I found my skin had calmed down and felt less congested. I did team it with the new Tatcha Overnight Barrier Repair (£86) at night too – which feels like it is wrapping your skin in moisture. You will wake up feeling like you have just put it on, as skin still feels so hydrated, plumped and bouncy.
How to Use Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm
This cleanser comes with a little gold disc which is designed to help you scoop the product out of the pot rather than using your hands. As long as you pick it up with clean, dry fingers it’s pretty easy to use, although I have found if my hands are slightly wet or greasy it can be a bit tricky to grip. Once you have a five pence sized blob on the disc you apply to your face – I tend to do a blob on each cheek and one on the forehead – and then gently massage into the skin with your fingers. This small amount is plenty for your entire face and neck.
I tend to leave the cleanser to sit on my face for a few minutes, I like to brush my teeth with it on usually, before rinsing with warm water either using a cotton flannel or a reusable pad.
What to Consider Before Buying Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm
Obviously it’s the price. This is what I call a luxury item. Sure, it feels amazing and it really cleans the skin without being too harsh, but if you’re buying this on Klarna then this isn’t the right product for you. When it comes to cleansing, doing it well and regularly will have the greatest impact on your skin, not necessarily a product. Especially if that product ends up sitting at the back of your shelf.
I would also suggest this is best for dry to normal skin – if you’re looking to unblog pores, help fight blemishes or control oil then you should be using a targeted product rather than something like this which is better for those who want a hydrating cleanser.
Where Can You Buy Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm
Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm is available from Space NK, Selfridges and the Tatcha website.
Lauren Ezekiel (she/her) is an associate editor at PS UK, where she writes about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism she began her career in 2008. Lauren is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup. A mum of two, Lauren is an advocate for the benefits of beauty and self-care for your mental well-being, which inspired her award-winning charity initiative We C U 2020. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK!, Health & Beauty, The Sun, Asda, Dare and Metro.
