All your most-asked Re-base Cleansing Balm questions, answered. Our founder, Yen, details everything you need to know.
IS RE-BASE SCENTED?
Creating our cleansing balm was an endeavour close to my heart. I wanted to offer a product that was truly fragrance-free yet left a subtle, refreshing scent reminiscent of fresh greenery. We all know I love green. That's where rosemary extract came in. Carefully added at a very low dosage, it beautifully masks any inherent waxy odours that most balms have, bringing a hint of nature to the experience. I specifically chose rosemary for its antibacterial properties, perfect for a cleansing wash-off product like Re-base. Plus, its calming and soothing effects make it ideal for sensitive skin. It's a small touch, but it's these details that make all the difference in creating a product that provides a sensorial journey.
DOES IT WORK AS A MAKEUP REMOVER?
Hell yeahhhh! That’s its entire role. The biocompatible balance of natural oils and lipid-based surfactants in Re-base help to effortlessly remove oil-based impurities like tough makeup, sunscreen, and dirt with minimal disruption to the skin-barrier. Hence, works gently and effectively on all skin types, even sensitive skin, without stinging the eyes and giving you cloudy vision.
The emulsification step where the balm starts to interact with the oil-based impurities on our skin as you add water. It transforms into a milky water trapping the impurities and forming these tiny micelles that contain the impurities within their core. This gets washed away with water without leaving the skin feeling dry, tight or greasy but only moisturised and refreshed.
HOW MUCH DO YOU USE?
There is no strict rule on how much you should use, it all depends on how much makeup you have on. If you have a full-face of long wear and waterproof makeup, then 2-3 generous pea size scoops work best to really break it down. If you’re just removing skincare, and light makeup then 1 generous pea size should do the trick.
What you will notice with Re-base is a little goes a loooong way. You'll quickly notch just how much you’ll need to tailor it to your skin type and routine. It's all about finding that sweet spot that suits you perfectly.
HOW DO YOU USE IT?
Scoop a generous pea size amount and smooth onto "dry" skin in an upward, circular motion. Allow the balm to melt into an oil while it breaks down your makeup and oils. Rinse with lukewarm water or wipe with a damp cloth.
IS IT SAFE FOR EVERYDAY USE?
Indeed it is, Re-base is safe to use every single day. It is step 1 in your skincare routine. Use as needed A.M and/or P.M, but it’s more effective when used in the PM as you’re removing more of the long day’s impurities. If you have dry skin, it’s best to only use it in the PM and wash your face gently in the morning. What I mean by gently, is to wash with water, or with a gentle cleanser for only 10-20 seconds in the AM, depending on your preference. This helps to avoid over-cleansing particularly for those with very dry and sensitive skin.
IS THIS AN OIL OR WATER-BASED CLEANSER?
Re-base is an oil-based cleanser due to its high lipid based ingredients. It starts out as a solid soft balm and instantly melts into a lightweight oil once in contact with your skin. It leaves your skin clean and moisturised - no hassle, no irritation A.K.A it’s a holy grail product.
HOW LONG SHOULD I BE CLEANSING FOR?
When using a cleansing balm it depends on what you have on your face and how much of it. If you are wearing heavy makeup with waterproof or long wear makeup it is suggested to cleanse for around 1-2 minutes to really break down the built up impurities from the day. Allowing enough time for the natural oils to penetrate, moisturise and soothe the skin.
If you’re wearing light makeup, or just skincare then around ~1 min is sufficient.
WHAT IS BETTER TO REMOVE WITH, SHOULD I WIPE WITH A DAMP CLOTH OR WASH WITH WATER?
It’s been recommended on social media about the "golden rule" of emulsifying cleansing balms with water before rinsing them off. It's true, adding water does indeed provide a more thorough cleanse, as the emulsification process helps to effectively remove leftover residue from your skin and pores, particularly important if you're wearing heavy makeup.
However, throughout my skincare journey one size doesn't always fit all, especially when it comes to skincare. For those with very dry or sensitive skin, excessive water exposure can actually lead to irritation and dryness. Then I recommend wiping off the cleansing balm with a damp cloth for the first step, and following up with a water-based cleanser for the second step.
This approach allows for the removal of any remaining impurities during the second cleanse, ensuring a thorough clean without overexposing your delicate skin to water.
At the end of the day - we’re not all about strict rules here, skincare is personal so it all depends on personal preference and your skin condition on any given day, listen to your skin and do what’s best for your skin needs.
