| As mentioned, Queen Be You is a site for honest, unbiased, and unsponsored user reviews of products. I am a customer (an end user) – just like you. I am not a doctor or a dermatologist. These reviews are based on my personal experience with products that I bought myself. If you buy a product using a link on our website, I might receive a commission. |
We’re almost three months into 2024, and we’ve already had a few K-beauty hot trends like toner pads, essence waters, and cleansing balms. If you’re a skincare buff, then you might have already seen reels and shorts about the benefits of double-cleansing. And one of the products used for a double cleanse is a cleansing balm or very mild oil-based cleanser.
As mentioned, this review is about the Beauty of Joseon Cleansing Balm. You can use this balm as the first cleanser in a double-cleanse routine. Or if you have very sensitive or dry skin, this balm can be a suitable cleanser as well as a makeup remover.
Before we get into the review, let me give you a quick background on the product. All products manufactured by the Beauty of Joseon are from the Joseon Dynasty. This particular product was inspired by the practice of putting rice rinsing water on dry and dull faces. It was kind of a toner called “Migamsu” which translates into “water that beautifies the skin.”
So the cleansing balm contains rice water, which has protein and essential amino acids, which are said to moisturize, nutrify, and brighten skin. With that said, I went ahead and bought the cleansing balm to try it for myself and see if it lives up to the claims (and the price tag).
What does it claim?
If you go through the official product description, the cleansing balm claims to –
- Remove makeup gently without irritating the skin
- Rice bran water moisturizes
- Rice water and fermented grains help skin retain moisture and brighten it
- Chrysanthemum extracts with vitamins A and B protect the skin and soothe it
- Long-lasting moisture
- Maintains moisture without tightening even when you double cleanse
Suitable for – all skin types, especially beneficial for dull, dry, or sensitive skin.
Ingredients
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Beeswax, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Water, Butylene Glycol, Hyacinthus Orientalis (Hyacinth) Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower/Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Water, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Quick review – Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Mild cleanser | Slightly expensive |
| Does remove makeup | Plastic packaging |
| Fragrance-free |
How to use Beauty of Joseon Cleansing Balm
Using the cleansing balm is slightly different, as you have to use this on a dry face. Here’s a quick rundown –
- Scoop out an adequate amount of the balm with the spatula
- Take the balm onto your fingers
- Massage your face with it using circular motions
- Rinse your face with lukewarm water
- You can choose to use a water-based cleanser after this
QUICK NOTE – I highly recommend you do a patch test before using it on your face.
My experience with Beauty of Joseon Cleansing Balm
As mentioned earlier, I bought this Beauty of Joseon Cleansing Balm with my own money (because I am skincare always looking for something new to try) – I am going to be honest about whether I like something or not.
To make sure I judge all the aspects that matter, I will be categorizing this section into sub-sections like packaging, fragrance, feel, and result.
Packaging
The cleansing balm comes in a tub, which might feel weird if you are used to facewash tubes. But you don’t have to worry about dirty hands touching the product, as it comes with a spatula. The packaging (the tub and the spatula) seems to be made of good-quality plastic. However, if you are conscious about sustainable packaging, then you might not be a fan of this.
Scent
Now, what surprised me the most was that this balm has absolutely no scent. Yep, it’s fragrance-free, which I personally like. You can read more about why your skin’s exposure to artificial fragrances should be limited right here.
Feel
I scooped out some amount of the balm, and needless to say, it feels like a balm. Think of it as a tab of frozen butter that is rich in texture. You scoop it out, and then it transforms into an oil as you massage it onto your skin.
Result
For the purpose of this review, I applied sunscreen, moisturizer, and concealer on the back of my hand. To see how effective the cleansing balm was in getting rid of the daily-use products, I applied it on my hand and massaged it for a good minute.
As you can see in the before and after pictures, the cleansing balm did the job – it melted away the products and cleaned my hand. My skin did not feel stretched or itchy. If you use heavier makeup products (like foundation, highlight, bronzer, etc.) you might have to double-cleanse to get that “squeaky clean” feel.
To get a better idea, you can check out the YouTube Short of the entire demonstration.
Price
Now, most products from Beauty of Joseon are mid-range to expensive. Judging from the quality of this particular product, the price tag is justified. You get a mild cleanser that removes dirt, oil, and makeup from your skin without drying it out.
The Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm retails for 1,650 INR (roughly 19 USD) for 100ml. Now, the quantity may seem less compared to the price, but you don’t need a lot of product, so you should be able to use it for a few months.
Where to buy?
The Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm is available on Amazon, Nykaa, and Tira. You can check out the latest prices by clicking on the genu
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joseon cleansing balm good?
If you have dry skin, then yes, the Beauty of Joseon cleansing balm is a mild cleanser that will remove dirt and makeup without drying out your skin.
Conclusion
Will I buy the Beauty of Joseon Cleansing Balm again?
Yes, I might. But I would prefer buying it during winter or using it when my skin feels extremely dry. It is a good makeup remover that does what it claims – removes the makeup, oil, and dirt gently without drying your skin out. My skin did not feel tight after using the balm. However, the price point might be high for some people and the plastic packaging might be an ick for environment-conscious beauty queens.
Overall, I’d rate this a solid 8/10.
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