Here's How The Mon Cherry Dirt Dissolving Cleansing Balm Changed My PM Skincare Routine

As a makeup-lover who can easily decide to skip out on her PM skincare routine (read lazy), I needed a miracle. A product that would get an exhausted me into bed in a jiffy. Though I have a set AM skincare routine in place, all thanks to WFO, it can be a task to do it all again at night. This is true especially after a night out on the town, date nights or late night hangout sessions with besties. But I know, you know, we all know that a refreshing night time skincare regime is a must. That’s when I discovered what the Mon Cherry Dirt Dissolving Cleansing Balm can do for my skin. This is my journey of falling in love with this super-exciting PM routine essential.

What exactly is a cleansing balm?

Everyone’s dabbling in the double cleansing technique, including me. This Korean skincare trend has completely changed the perception of a clean face. It was the missing link for smooth, better skin for many. And a cleansing balm is an added advantage to this cleansing technique.

A cleansing balm is THE perfect way to take off your makeup and gently dissolve your foundation, mascara, eyeshadow away. Usually made of a smooth, creamy texture, this product simply melts, takes over the face, cleanses and delivers a fresh canvas for the rest of your night time routine. Cleansing balms come in a variety of ways like jars and sticks and contain butters and oil that simply melt away the impurities on your skin. The moisture-focused formulations of these emulsifying cleansing balms cleanse without leaving your skin feeling dry and stripped of its natural oils. How cool is that!

How does the Mon Cherry Dirt Dissolving Cleansing Balm work!

Unlike the pain relief balms we’ve known growing up, a cleansing balm is the opposite of pungent and stinging. Quench Botanics’ skin purifying cleansing balm is the perfect first step in your double-cleansing routine. It works incredibly as a daily-use face cleanser to give you clear, fresh and radiant skin. As the first step of your double cleanse, start by massaging this luxuriously creamy, gentle oil-based cleanser onto dry skin. It will just melt away the dirt, grime and oil-based impurities such as excess sebum and sunscreen. I follow the cleansing balm with a water-based face wash to complete my double cleansing routine. This is important as well since that doubles down on any left over and unwanted dirt and impurities. 

But the reason it hits the sweet spot for me is that it completely takes off long-wear makeup. This is what makeup lovers like me are always on the lookout for.

Gone are the days of makeup wipes. They don’t do any good for the skin or the environment. Today, a good, bankable cleansing balm is a go-to for a deep cleanse. The Mon Cherry Dirt Dissolving Cleansing Balm contains refreshing ingredients like cherry blossom, grapefruit and pearl extracts that not only purify but also replenish the skin. This cleanser has salicylic acid that gently exfoliates, unclogs pores and helps clear complexion. My favourite set of ingredients are the neem leaf extracts and antioxidant rich moringa seed oil. These prevent moisture loss, hydrate and protect skin.

How I use the Mon Cherry Dirt Dissolving Cleansing Balm 

The very first time I used it was at the beginning of the holiday season. After attending a long day of work and then an office party, I had a full face of makeup on for almost 18 hours. Utterly exhausted and in dire need of sleep, I whipped out this cleansing balm, worked with it for 3 minutes, followed it up with my usual PM routine and I was done! I couldn’t believe that I was in bed in under 10 minutes.

Step 1:

Whenever I wear makeup or sunscreen, I make it a point to double cleanse. And for someone with combination skin, it’s a must. I scoop out some of the Mon Cherry Dirt Dissolving Cleansing Balm with the spatula that comes in the box. Next, I warm it between my fingers. Then I massage it on dry skin for a minute or two, making sure to cover the entire face and letting it emulsify nicely. Then I simply use water to rinse off the residue.

Step 2:

The next step in my PM routine is to wash my face with a foam or gel-based cleanser. The Chialeader Shine Control Gel Face Wash is my go-to face wash for everyday use that lathers up quickly. It has chia seeds, orange peel, cactus water as well as bamboo water. All these super ingredients remove dirt, grime, impurities and excess oil and leaves skin clean and fresh. All you need to do is twist the applicator to open the tube and squeeze out the face wash, spreading it evenly across your damp skin. Then, use the built-in soft brush to massage it gently all over your face and neck in circular motion to stimulate skin and deep cleanse. Splash water to rinse off residue, then pat dry and you’re ready to move on to the next step.

Step 3: 

Korean skincare is all about layering and hence I grab a lightweight refreshing essence next. I apply 4-5 drops of essence to the face and neck and then pat into skin until fully absorbed. The Mama Cica Intense Oil Control Essence balances sebum levels, hydrates skin, calms and controls pimples or acne. It has the goodness of hyaluronic acid that helps replace lost moisture and plumps up the skin.

Step 4:

While my skin is still pretty damp and the essence hasn’t been fully absorbed yet, I move on to a moisturizing serum. To even out my skin tone and add a dose of hydration, I use the Bravocado Intense Brightening Serum. The fact that it is packed with the natural goodness of avocado, pomegranate, rice water, bakuchiol and 2% niacinamide makes it a top pick for me. It also contains ingredients like arginine, allantoin and hyaluronic acid that firm up my skin. I take 3-4 drops of the serum, gently press it onto my skin and let it get fully absorbed.

There’s more! You can make a cleansing balm part of your AM skincare routine with ease. Simply start your morning skincare regime with the cleansing balm and follow it up with a gentle water-based face wash. Don’t forget to moisturize and apply SPF before you sprint out into the sun.

Taking off my makeup is no more a task. All I need is my trusted cleansing balm! To sum it up, this has found a permanent spot in my vanity for sure.