The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm review: the best affordable cleanser?
Looking for a new cleanser that will be kind to your skin without breaking the bank? The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm might be just what you need.
About The Inkey List
The Inkey List is a skincare brand that emerged with a mission to simplify beauty without compromising on efficiency.
Founded by Colette Laxton and Mark Curry, the brand hails from the United Kingdom and was established in 2018.
Committed to transparency and affordability, The Inkey List offers a range of products that prioritise simplicity and quality, making effective skincare accessible to all.
The Inkey List is now a B-Corp.
Is The Inkey List cruelty-free and vegan?
The Inkey List is a cruelty-free company, certified by Leaping Bunny. Whilst the vast majority of their products are vegan, some do contain animal-derived ingredients.
Each product page indicates whether a product is vegan or vegetarian.
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm
The Oat Cleansing Balm is a gentle yet effective skincare solution with its non-stripping and non-drying formula, boasting a luxuriously soft and rich texture.
Tailored for a thorough cleansing experience, it effortlessly dissolves all visible traces of makeup, including waterproof and long-wear products. With its oil-based formula, its the perfect first step in your double cleansing routine.
Beyond a cleanser, it can also be used as a nourishing face mask, clinically proven to boost moisture levels when worn for 10 minutes.
This cleanser is pregnancy and breastfeeding safe.
What are the key ingredients?
The two star ingredients are:
3% Oat Kernel Oil: packed with Ceramides and Omega 3 & 6, not only does it dissolve the most stubborn makeup but also helps support your skin’s moisture levels.
1% Colloidal Oatmeal: a skin-soothing ingredient for dry and sensitive skin, that helps reduce redness and alleviate irritation.
Which skin type is The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm best for?
Whilst this cleanser can be used on all skin types, its gently formula is particularly recommended for sensitive-prone skin, with Colloidal Oatmeal helping soothe irritated skin and Oat Kernel Oil maintaining moisture levels.
Where to buy The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm?
You can easily order The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm online, directly on The Inkey List website or the major beauty retailers such as Sephora, Cult Beauty or Lookfantastic.
RRP: £11.99
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm review
I was sent this product by the brand, however I was not asked to write this review and I only recommend products I genuinely use and enjoy.
As a cleansing balm lover, I was really curious to try this product and now that I’ve finished almost finished my first tub, here are my thoughts.
The texture
The Inkey List have nailed the texture here. This balm is incredibly rich and soft, providing a surprisingly luxurious experience considering the price point!
As the balm glides onto the skin, it melts into an oil that completely wipes away every single impurities without any stripping sensation.
The feeling on the skin
Whilst my skin is not extremely sensitive, it is prone to dryness and can get irritated by harsh cleansers. I’ve had to stop using some cleansers in the past because I developed redness and skin discomfort. My experience with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm has been the opposite.
I love how this balm dissolves everything effortlessly, leaving my skin thoroughly cleansed without the need for excessive rubbing or tugging.
When I rinse it off, my skin doesn’t feel completely dried out, but soft to the touch. It doesn’t look red or irritated, but soothed and hydrated.
If your current cleanser leaves your skin feeling tight, swapping for an Oat-based formula will completely change your experience and your skin will thank you for it!
The quality/price ratio
In my opinion, The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm is one of the best, if not the best affordable cleansers out there, especially for sensitive-prone skin.
It is miles better than The Ordinary cleanser, which is often seen as The Inkey List’s main competitor, and as good as The Alpha H Melting Moment Cleansing Balm, which I absolutely love too but is much more expensive.
It may only cost £11.99 (often less on beauty retailer websites that offer discounts), but it doesn’t feel cheap at all and offers a truly enjoyable cleansing experience.
Overall, it’s probably the best “budget cleanser” you can treat your skin to and a little goes a long way, so it will last you a while.
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