Emma Hardie cleansing balm and acne

[Ansumpasty]

I’ve just started with prescription skin+ me (great alternative to dermatica) and I’ve bought the IS cleansing complex.

I need a pre cleanse that won’t cause or worsen my acne. I’ve used simple face wipes for years and I’m fine with them, but I saw Caroline Hirons really slamming them, and I’m having to use spf 50, so want to make sure it’s all off.

Is Emma Hardie cleansing balm worth it? Any experiences with acne? I was looking at merumaya cleansing balm but read an awful review and it’s kind of put me off.

Thanks!

[VanGoghsDog]

It's expensive. Lush ultra bland is fine, and Clinique Take The Day Off, or Body Shop camomile range.

Most are fine in themselves but whether they are fine for you is impossible to say!

[Floraflower3]

I usually use simple hydrating cleansing oil and have recently started using 5he sanctuary cleansing oil.

You won't know until you try obviously but oil removes oil (and dirty) really well from your face but then doesn't leave your skin stripped. I'm in love with oil cleansing (not even double cleansing) and my skin is looking really good.

[bravotango]

Another vote for an oil based cleanser for oily/combination skin prone to acne. I use one from The Ordinary which is wonderful, it's changed my skin quite dramatically!

[Diavoloroquito]

I have the merumaya one and I like it. All cleansing balls are the same really. The Emma Hardie one smells amazing. But it is over priced for what it is. M&S do a nice cleansing balm.

[Tolleshunt]

EH smells wonderful and is nice, but you can get the same results with a hot cloth and a bottle of oil. Jojoba is lovely, but I often use just grapeseed, which is about £3 a bottle, and completely cleans skin, including all makeup (incl waterproof mascara), dirt and oils without stripping. It really improved my acne.

Why not give that a go first? It’s so cheap you might as well. You can always add a couple of drops of essential oils to make it smell more luxurious, though tbh I don’t bother.

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

I used EH religiously for ages when I was in full grip of Hiron's madness about 5 years ago.
It smells lovely but it does Jack shit more than any other oil or balm cleanser I have ever used. At the moment I'm using up a bottle of jojoba oil that I bought to make beeswax wraps and that's working just as well.
The Body Shop used to do a chamomile cleansing balm which I miss very much but have had to give up since my current boycott of them.

[Girlintheframe]

I've been using Nivea professional miscellar water to remove sunscreen. That or an oil cleanse. I've ordered Purito oil cleanser after reading the reviews. Simple is meant to be good too.
Haven't used the EH one but have used the Elemis cleansing balms which are lovely but pricey.

[KitMarlowesCodpieceOfthigh]

I love EH and have been using it for three years, now - it's really helped my skin. I use it in the morning and just use my hands (the baby benefits from the washcloths!).

However, when my skin was utterly miserable after an unfortunate experience with a Becca primer (), I used Ultrabland and a Primark flannel twice a day and it was wonderful. So, if your skin needs a bit of TLC, I'd go for Ultrabland. You need a good flannel and very hot water, though, or you can't get the waxiness off.

[Ansumpasty]

Thanks, everyone!

[Ansumpasty]

@bravotango

Another vote for an oil based cleanser for oily/combination skin prone to acne. I use one from The Ordinary which is wonderful, it's changed my skin quite dramatically!

Is that The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser?

[FlyingByTheSeatof]

Balms and oil based cleansers are not recommended if you have active acne even by CH although she changes her mind now based on whatever Brand she is promoting but her earlier statements stood by that fact.

[FlyingByTheSeatof]

You could use Micellar water to remove your makeup and then follow that with a cleanser such as Cerave SA. That way you wont aggravate your skin and the Cerave SA is full of great ingredients that your skin should be happy with.

[ShivD]

It caused awful congestion in my chin area but everything oil/ balm based Stuff does for me unfortunately.

The only thing that works is Avene Cold cream soap but it might but a bit too harsh for some.

[ShivD]

Actually it’s soap free, it’s a cleansing bar
www.avene.co.uk/face/products-for-daily-use/cold-cream-for-dry-skin/ultra-rich-cleansing-bar-with-cold-cream

[FlyingByTheSeatof]

If you are adamant about using a balm then go with Clinique TTDO because it's not as heavy at the EH which you have to rub more to get it off hence the free cloth, which says it all really when you think about it.

[Ansumpasty]

@FlyingByTheSeatof

You could use Micellar water to remove your makeup and then follow that with a cleanser such as Cerave SA. That way you wont aggravate your skin and the Cerave SA is full of great ingredients that your skin should be happy with.

Ah, I didn’t know she didn’t recommend them. I don’t get on well with micellar water and I don’t know why. I tried a bioderma one and woke up with a bright red, itchy face. Let it it heal, tried it again and same thing.
I just don’t want to screw up my skin with leaving spf on when I’m trying so hard with the expensive skin treatments, etc

[Ansumpasty]

[quote ShivD]Actually it’s soap free, it’s a cleansing bar
www.avene.co.uk/face/products-for-daily-use/cold-cream-for-dry-skin/ultra-rich-cleansing-bar-with-cold-cream[/quote]
I’ve had a look and it says for dry skin. My skin is so oily that I have to use blotting papers all day, like a 16 year old

[Newname4now]

I'm going to say go with the EH if you can afford it, depending on what you've been prescribed.
I have had significant acne which after trying many treatments unsuccessfully am using differin. It has really helped but my skin is v dry. The EH really helps although I do not use it every day, + in these times is the closest I will get to having a pamper .
My advice would be see how you get on with your acne treatment first and give it a few weeks otherwise you won't know what's helping (lots of acne treatments mean things get worse before they get better).

[Ansumpasty]

That’s true, @Newname4now. Think I’m rushing ahead! I’m on the tretitoin, clindamycin and azelaic acid prescription. I was previously on epiduo for 7 months but didn’t get the results I hoped. Hope the differin is working for you!

[Fluffycloudland77]

Have the drs surgery tried you on oral antibiotics?.

I wear spf 50 every day and use a cheap sainsbury/Aldi foaming face wash.

[Ansumpasty]

@Fluffycloudland77 I’ve been on antibiotics. Once for over 2 years solid, when I was a teenager, even though the recommendation is 6 months long because my mum didn’t check and the doctor just kept on renewing my prescription Turned my wisdom teeth black before they came through!

I’ve tried everything except roaccutaine (besides 2 weeks of it once) because I have a benign growth on my liver and it isn’t a good idea. My acne itself isn’t too bad now (sometimes I have no spots, sometimes up to 10), but I have very uneven skin tone and indented scars. Tried microneedling but that’s a whole different nightmare story itself!
I think tretotoin is the only thing that could make a difference at this point, besides laser surgery, unfortunately

[Blahblahblahyadayadayada]

Just a thought- would fragrance free and something that can be rinsed off be better if you’re using a prescription solution for your skin? Clinique take the day off balm (removes eye makeup as well) /Inkey list oat cleansing balm/ Paula’s Choice or CeraVe cleanser that can be rinsed off?

In a different note, is prescription +me better than Dermatica?

[bravotango]

Yes it is the squalene one! I also have the niacinamide stuff and like both products. I think the ordinary products are quite well priced so if it's not for you then no harm done. I also emailed them for advice and they were pretty helpful!