Move Over Oat Milk Lattes and Make Room for Oatmeal Infused Skincare
Old: The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm
Why we love it: You’re getting a true bang for your buck on this one. This cleansing balm is a thick, gooey treat for the skin that blooms into milk once you add water. With anti-inflammatory and skin soothing ingredients, it gently dissolves makeup, cleanses, hydrates, and moisturizes the skin, while leaving it calm and protected. And the best part? It's just ten bucks.
The super attractors of this formula are the oat kernel oil and colloidal oatmeal – a superhero duo that fights inflammation and strengthens the lipid barrier. Non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) oat kernel oil is rich in fatty acids and ceramides, and colloidal oatmeal, which is categorized as a skin protectant by the FDA, contains beta glucan humectants (polysaccharide sugars) to hydrate and help rebalance the skin’s pH. Colloidal oatmeal also has mild detergent properties, so it provides a gentle cleansing action without stripping the skin.
We love that you can forego double cleansing and just use this balm as your one and only cleanse. It contains polyethylene glycols (PEGs)* to help the product rinse off the skin with ease, without leaving any residue or imparting a greasy feel. Plus, this cleanser gets extra bonus points for coming in a reverse pump tube which allows for easy and convenient product dispensing.
*The safety of PEGs, in their various forms, have been scrutinized lately for potential impurities they may contain, namely ethylene oxide and 1,4 dioxane, as a result of the manufacturing process. Cosmetic ingredient suppliers remove these by-products from the final ingredient.
Key ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour
Format: Anhydrous balm. There is water in the formula, but it is negligible.
pH: None, % of water in formula too low.
Surfactant/Cleansing: PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, PEG-60 almond glycerides, Lecithin, and the oils in the formula help dissolve makeup and dirt.
Preservative system: Phenoxyethanol and Benzyl Alcohol. The latter should have been avoided as it is a potential contact allergen.
Fragrance: None, but the scent profile is a subtle, warm and nutty smell.
Skin types: Great for all skin types, and ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
Price & Fill Weight: $9.99 for 150ml
New: Versed Gentle Cycle Milky Cleanser
Why we love it: Say hello to your bff in cleanser form. It’s a no b.s. formula with tried-and-true ingredients, and when all else fails, you can count on this one to make both your skin and wallet happy, no matter your skin type. This affordable, water based creamy cleanser melts into a lightweight milk and leaves your skin feeling silky, soft, and reassured.
A combination of anti-inflammatory oat extract, a probiotic, and antioxidant fatty-acid-rich oils sunflower, marula, and grapeseed, soothe, balance, and help reinforce the skin’s lipid barrier.
If you’re big on double-cleansing, use this product as the second cleanse, especially since it doesn't remove heavy makeup.
Key ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract
Format: Emulsion (o/w or oil-in-water)
pH: 5.0-6.0
Surfactant/Cleansing: Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate and the oils in the formula help dissolve dirt and makeup.
Preservative system: Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, and Potassium Sorbate.
Fragrance: None, but the scent profile is a subtle, warm and nutty smell.
Skin types: Great for all skin types, and ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
Price & Fill Weight: $14.99 for 150ml
Photo Credit: Łukasz Rawa on Unsplash