The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm

A million thanks to the Sephora team member who casually pointed me towards the INKEY list--the entire line has been blowing my mind! If you're looking for a nice, unfussy balm to take off your makeup before using another cleanser to wash your face (aka double cleansing), this is a fantastic option. I've tried all kinds of makeup removing balms from low to high price points, and the INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm is my new favorite. You get plenty of it for the price, which is great since I don't believe most brands when they say a dime-sized amount will take off all your makeup in every circumstance. Even if a little does go a long way, I wear a full face of makeup every day and need at least a quarter's worth of any balm to get everything off to my liking. This bottle is going to last me a good while, and it will go even farther for people who prefer the less is more model. More importantly, the formula is awesome, one of those simple and to the point gems. It's both gentle and very effective, a win/win for super sensitive/oily/prone to some serious hormonal acne skin like mine. It's a little thicker than some of the other balms I've tried, but that's been a plus for me. It feels like it's really gripping the makeup on my face rather than just slip-sliding around the top layers of it. This balm also just FEELS clean, if that makes sense--it's not chemical-y at all, it doesn't have any added scents, but it also doesn't smell too strongly or too strangely without them. Most makeup removing balms out there don't sting my eyes, but plenty do get into my eyes and leave a bit of a blurring film. It's another win/win situation with this balm: it removes every bit of makeup off my eyes (no morning raccoon eyes!) but doesn't stick around once I wipe it clean. For clarity, I do use a makeup eraser to wipe the balm off, which I think is a game-changing step no matter what balm you use. After I'm done double cleansing, my skin never feels tight, dry or itchy in between the cleansing and moisturizing steps, and the gentle formula in this balm is a big part of that. I've seen a couple reviewers who say their skin felt greasy after using the balm, but for my part, I've never experienced that. That might be more of an issue if you want to use this as a standalone cleanser, but my skin just feels soft and makeup-free when I use it, even before I reach for the cleanser to complete my double cleanse. In all, I love this simple and effective balm, and I'll definitely be adding it to my subscribe and save list. For the price and the quality, it's won me over from reaching for any other brand I've tried before.

I recently started using this makeup remover, and so far, I’ve had a good experience with it. It melts away makeup easily, even products that are usually harder to remove. The texture is smooth and feels gentle on the skin, which makes the cleansing process comfortable. It doesn’t leave a heavy or greasy feeling afterward, which I really like. At this point, I can say it meets my expectations. It does what it’s supposed to do and works well for my routine. I’ll continue using it, but so far, I’m happy with the results.

This is the absolute BEST cleaner I have ever bought! Once I hit peri menopause, my skin became so dry- and I have spent serious money on SO many products- moisturizers, masques, serums- this cleanser completely restored my moisture barrier. I even use it all over my body. Thrilled!!!!

I've used a few of Inky List products so I wanted to give this one a try. I typically use a micellar cleansing balm. I like that this is in a bottle so that I don't have to scoop out the product but can squeeze it into my hands. The texture is a little lumpy but I don't mind because the product works really well and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. I also feel like it's a good value for the amount of product you get.

I was using this product wrong and it left me very frustrated. It is not a cleanser, despite what the tube says. But it is fantastic as a makeup remover BEFORE you cleanse, if you follow these steps. 1. Start with dry skin (ignore what the bottle says). • Don’t wet your face first. This balm works by melting into oils and breaking down makeup or sunscreen when massaged on dry skin. 2. Use a quarter-sized amount and warm it between your fingers. • It’s thick—almost like Vaseline—so warming it helps you spread it more evenly. 3. Massage into dry skin for at least 60–90 seconds. • Focus on areas with heavy makeup (eyes, lips, forehead, smile lines). • Think of it like loosening a stain—friction helps break down long-wear products. 4. Emulsify by adding a small splash of water to your face. • It’ll turn slightly milky. This step helps it rinse off more cleanly and prevents the greasy feeling. 5. Rinse thoroughly with warm water OR… • Better yet: Remove with a warm, damp washcloth. This will physically lift off the makeup and balm. 6. Follow with your cleanser. • This balm should always be Step 1 in a double cleanse.

This is hands down one of the worst skincare products I have ever used. I used this as the first step of a double cleanse. I've tried it how it suggests on the tube-- with a little bit of water, and how I would normally use a balm-- by applying to dry skin, emusifying with water, then rinsing. It leaves a disgusting film on the skin either way and it remains even after following up with a foaming cleanser. It feels heavy and it clogs pores. I NEVER breakout, but did from this product. Also, this is marketed as a "gentle" product for sensitive skin, but it has actual hard chunks of oats in the balm that are abrasive and irritating. I would give this 0 stars if I could. Everyone has different skin of course, but I seriously have no idea how anyone could like this. Buy literally anything else.

I don't quite know what to think about this cleanser. I have not heard anyone say it has particles in it. Mine has bits of something (beds or something) which make it impossible to safely remove eye makeup. I cannot use physical exfoliators around my sensitive eyes, plus I don't want them getting in my eyes. Once I rinse my skin, the particles wash off leaving a residue. The residue does not come off with a second cleanse. Now, I know this would mean I would give this a one star and I gave it a three. SO here is why I am confused. This leaves my skin super moisturized. I have dry sensitive skin and it has been smooth and moisturized all week. I hate it, but I mean... I don't hate soft skin! I also love the price. So here I am ... confused. Seriously though...what are the particles?

This is the most gentle and clean ingredient product. I have found for cleansing the makeup off my face at the end of the day. I have dry skin and it doesn’t leave it tight or over stripped it just feels nice and fresh and clean. I am a huge Inkey List fan. So much so that I have their products in my storefront.

Hard to comes out and there is little bit smell it's like greased. But working very well..😊 ✌️

At the beginning I didn't like this balm because it had a very thick consistency which did not melt on my skin which meant lots of skin tugging, HOWEVER, one fine day I read the back unintentionally and realized I was using it WRONG! Here I was ignorantly thinking I've used balms before so of course I knew how to use this one... You actually have to wet your face first, and then massage onto your face where it gliiides and removes everything makeup, sunscreen, dirt...etc., then emulsify, then wash, then proceed with second cleanser and so on, et voila! Beautiful product!

Me ha gustado: Deja la piel muy bonita después de usarlo: mejora el tono, me encanta la sensación de limpieza y deja buena cara. No me ha gustado: No és que no me ha gustado,però al aclararlo solo con agua tibia tengo la sensación de que no se retira del todo, por lo que prefiero combinarlo con otro limpiador después. Tiene una textura cremosa, tipo pomada, que hay que extender bien por el rostro y emulsionar con agua tibia. Usado como primer paso en la rutina me ha fnciondo muy bien y deja la piel con muy buen aspecto. És la primera vez que uso un limpiador en aceite por lo cual supongo que todo es acostumbrarse, ya que ahora usaba solo uno muy ligero, y me encanta pero combinándolo como último paso a este, es perfecto.

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Another INKEY List product my wife swears by. She uses this as the first step in her double cleanse routine and it melts makeup off really effectively. The oat formula is gentle on her skin and doesn't leave it feeling stripped or tight afterwards like some cleansers can. You warm a small amount between your fingers and it turns from a balm into an oil consistency, then emulsifies when you add water which makes it easy to rinse off. The mini 50ml size was perfect for trying it out before committing to the full size, and she's already reordered the bigger one so that tells you everything. It even takes off waterproof mascara without having to scrub at her eyes. Fragrance free as well which is a bonus for sensitive skin. Great paired with the omega water cream from the same range.