Tips for using Farmacy Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm

[greeneyedgirl107]

I bought Farmacy Clearly Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm 3.4 oz/ 100 mL and have been impressed by how well it works.  However, I'm looking for tips on the best way to use this.  And, how much product to use.

So far, I've used it five times.  Twice I used it on wet eyes, and I know from experience and the directions not to do that again.  It wasn't nearly as effective.

What I've been doing is taking some, rubbing it between my fingers, and then massaging over my eye area.  It takes a while to break through my mascara.  I'm wondering if I should keep massaging over the mascara until it breaks down and then rinsing and cleansing.  OR, should I massage-rinse-massage-rinse, etc?

And how much product is too much or too little?  Do you all typically go in with the amount you need all at once, or gradually add more and more?  (I'm also not sure that my eyes love this.  I've noticed they tend to have a bit of a pink tinge afterwards.)

I'm scared of making too much of a mess, as when I check my progress my eye area looks like the Hamburglar.  And, then I wind up with mess on my cheeks which is more to wash away with cleanser.  I'm not necessarily against that, but when I started using this I got some red bumps on my cheek is usually a sign that a product isn't agreeing with me.

Thanks for taking the time to read through all this.  I might be making too much of this, but the results are so good that I want to make this work.  I'm also feeling the pressure of figuring this out in 30 days with Sephora's return policy!  

[ShayeZee]

I have been using this balm for a loooong time!! ...and here is what I do. I take different amts, depending on how much makeup I have on. If a brown shaded eye and light foundation i take approx 2 tsp. If a black smokey eye with full coverage/bronzer etc then I take double that. I put on a DRY face. The balm is supposed to break down the oils in everything, so diluted it or mixing it with water right from the start would be counter productive to what you are trying to do. So i use approx 50% on my face and save the other half for the eyes. As for mascara, it takes some slight rubbing to break it down. I will rub my lashes between my fingers (within reason of course).  My face is red or anything after this...the balm is so soft any rubbing to the face doesnt cause any sensitivities for me. Once i feel i have broken everything down, I then water my hands and wet my face...rubbing a bit more to further break everything down (although by now its already "disconnected" from my face). that creates a kinda light watery cream. I then rinse and then go in for a second wash with Farmacy Whipped moringa Cleanser. Its 17$ and i use about an inch or so (it squeezes out in a little snake) and rub that in my wet hands until it also lotions up.  I then wash my face with that, and my face is completely clean regardless of what I had on. The Farmacy cleanser is underrated....it has a nice light citrus scent and is very soft and moisturizing, which helps alot when double cleansing.

Sorry for writing soooo much! I hope that helps?!?!

[Layne435]

After emulsifying the balm with water, rinse your face thoroughly to remove any residue. You can use http://fairfaxautodetailing.com/ lukewarm water or a damp washcloth to ensure a clean finish.

[greeneyedgirl107]

@CattyT3 @Mellmars1185 @SportyGirly125 @Loretta55 @lmaster @CynthieLu @Titian06 OK, so I think I'm getting a handle on the Farmacy Clearly Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm 3.4 oz/ 100 mL .  But, I made a bit of an error in changing up my mascara.  I started using Thrive Causemetics mascara, which is a tubing mascara.  I'm finding that I'm having a harder time breaking down the mascara now that I'm experimenting with a tubing one.  Any tips?  I feel like I'm just massaging product for ages without much break down.  Truthfully, I'll probably give up on this mascara, but I wanted BIC input first.  THANKS!

[Mellmars1185]

@greeneyedgirl107 I did use caliray Come Hell or High Water Volumizing & Lengthening Tubing Mascara 0.37 oz / 11 mL  and I liked it because it didn't budge on my oily eyelids. However, taking it off was a different experience. I used Neutrogena makeup remover on a cotton ball. I pressed the cotton ball  on my eyelashes ans swiped down. It would come off in flakes. There were times when that was not enough. I think that the Farmacy balm could be a great addition next time I open another bottle of tubing mascara. Hope this helps.

[Titian06]

@greeneyedgirl107 - I don't have eyelashes so don't wear mascara of any type.  @Loretta55 sounds like she's got a handle on it though! 🙂

[Loretta55]

Great question @greeneyedgirl107. I have used a tubing mascara in the past and the removal is different. I just used a wet washcloth and slid the tubes off each lash. Occasionally I would find some that I missed on my face but nothing that really bothered me. You can still use the cleansing balm to remove your eyeshadow and eyeliner along with your other makeup.

[CattyT3]

Once you find the optimal way to make sure you are washing this off your face correctly from the recommendations below, if you still end up with any slight amount of eye and skin irritation, it means you are reacting to something in the ingredients/ the formulation itself and need to stop using it ASAP. Prolonged use - even if not daily - can exacerbate the severity of the reaction over time as well. I've had this happen to me unknowingly until the mere scent of lavender in a perfume spray now makes me breathe funny.
I've fooled myself into thinking cleansers are the most harmless part of the skin routine because you wash it off within a minute or so anyway, but this is actually a vital part of the routine that can cause a lot of damage to the skin. This is because even a few seconds of contact can be enough to deposit microscopic molecules that stay on the skin even after washing off that keep working on the skin (eg, why benzoyl peroxide wash off cleansers are so powerful even if you only keep it on the skin for a minute). Cleansing with the wrong products can even contribute to your regular skincare items not being able to absorb into the skin well or cause you to be irritated by products that are normally fine for you.
So definitely do not force yourself to use it if it's not agreeing with your skin - if you got the balm from Sephora, the return policy is very good so don't be sad you wasted the money. Unsure about Farmacy themselves and what their return policy is if you ordered direct (I'm sure someone else will know) - but worst comes to worst, don't destroy your skin and be left in pain and needing to use more expensive products to undo the damage for weeks or even months for any product just because you used money on it. Take it from a person who has very much learnt the hard way - it is so not worth it.

[Mellmars1185]

@greeneyedgirl107 What an excellent idea for a thread! There is already so much great feedback! I don't think I have been using right...but this is what I do:

I used to have the farmacy apple clean and it came with a scoop. I would get enough to smear aross my forehead, cheeks and chin. I would rub in and then use a cotton ball to wipe off the excess. Now I have a smaller size that does not come with a scoop so i used a cotton ball to get out the product and apply to face. I rub around with my fingers and then use the same cotton ball to wipe off. I do this step before I work out. Once I am done my work out I take a shower and cleanse my face in the shower.

[greeneyedgirl107]

@Mellmars1185 thanks for answering!  I didn't think of a cotton ball.  CVS doesn't make the kind I like anymore, and I've been looking for new ones.  Any recs?

[Mellmars1185]

I am really happy with the ones I use. I get the bag at Dollarama in Canada for $1.25

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[SportyGirly125]

@greeneyedgirl107 I use a tiny scooper I got from another brand and put a quarter size on my hand first and slowly rub the product inbetween to warm it up and then apply it to my eye area first.  Then I will scoop a little more for the rest of my face .  If my makeup is being stubborn, then I will grab a cleansing oil to remove the rest. 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@SportyGirly125 good to know!  What cleansing oil do u like?

[SportyGirly125]

@greeneyedgirl107 I love Leahlani cleansing oil, shu uemura Botanicoil Cleansing Oil 150 ml and Sulwhasoo Mini Gentle Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover 50 mL 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@SportyGirly125 thanks!  I'll be looking into these.

[CynthieLu]

Everyone's has great advice here @greeneyedgirl107 👍 

One thing I find helpful is when I work the balm in my hands to emulsify it, than rub it in circular motions over my make up. Is that I work slow.

When I'm slowly working over my face, (You don't need to rush this process) The gentle massaging and time allows the product to work better. It will start breaking down stubborn eye make up by just giving it time to do is thing.

Sorry if someone already mentioned that. 

Also, always follow with a good thorough second cleanse ✨️ 🧼 with a regular face wash of your choosing. 

I hope this helps! 😊

[greeneyedgirl107]

@CynthieLu thanks for answering.   I'm wondering if I should spread some on my lashes and let it sit for a bit.

[CynthieLu]

In my opinion that sounds fine as long as your cleaning that area well with soap afterwards so you don't get any clogged pores etc.. my eyes reacted poorly to the product regretfully 😭

[Titian06]

@greeneyedgirl107 - I use the regular Farmacy makeup removing balm.  I use a method virtually the same as @Loretta55 except I rinse off the balm with water rather than a cloth since I follow up with a cleanser.  I use the spatula and would guess I dip out about a quarter size amount.  Breaking that down for eye use specifically, I'd say a pea size amount at most...but I don't wear mascara.

I understand about being nervous using something new or different.  If I use a little too much of the balm on my eyes, they do get a little irritated.  If so, then I use eye drops (TheraTears specifically), making them feel better in minutes.

[ASifffff]

It's great to see that you have found a method that works well for you with Farmacy's makeup removing balm. Your approach, using a quarter-sized amount and rinsing with water, seems efficient, especially when following up with a cleanser. Since you don't wear mascara, a pea-sized amount for eye makeup removal appears appropriate. Your technique emphasizes personal preference and shows that skincare is often about finding what specifically works for an individual. Thank you for sharing your routine; it provides valuable insights for others looking to find the right balance in their makeup removal process For Reference:https://thoptvplus.com/

[greeneyedgirl107]

@Titian06 thanks for the info!