Real talk: I am still overindulging in some delicious local chocolates post Valentine’s Day. And I have found an equally decadent skincare treatment to fuel my guilty pleasure: Colleen Rothschild Cocoa Bean Cleansing Balm, a full on dessert situation that happens to be calorie free and even good for your skin. Since I am as passionate about proper cleansing as I am about a jar of Nutella, I consider this novelty addition to my vanity a hit.
First things first
The Colleen Rothschild Cocoa Bean Cleansing Balm may not be for everyone. If you hate the idea of a chocolate scented product on your face (what is wrong with you but okay…), it won’t be your thing. For anyone else, the original Radiant Cleansing Balm will provide a gorgeous herbal aromatherapy element. This very accommodating range is all about choices. Most importantly, while the face cleansing experience will evoke a fantasy of smearing chocolate on your face, the on point aroma disappears after rinsing and does not linger.
What’s in it?
The solid base of this cleansing balm highlights super nourishing Cocoa Butter and is studded with small flecks of vanilla bean to help gently exfoliate the skin. Sweet, right? Rice Bran and Hazelnut Oil complete the ingredient highlights, which make this latest Colleen Rothschild gift resemble a treat you’d find on your favorite restaurant menu. Yum factor aside, the cleansing balm also contains nourishing and rejuvenating botanicals such as Marula, Moringa, and Blackseed Oils.
Working it
The Cocoa Bean Cleansing Balm is not as spreadable as Nutella. While totally scoopable, the texture of this latest addition is dense and slightly more waxy than its Radiant formula counterpart. There is a teeny tiny bit of grit to it, which provides subtle friction. It melts when you work the balm into dry skin and dissolves stubborn sunscreen, makeup, dirt, and grime in seconds. While it doesn’t get frothy or milky immediately upon contact with water, I find it best to removing it with a hot wet cloth. Bonus: the jar comes with a muslin cloth in a matching shade of chocolate brown.
Do the second cleanse
There are some cleansing balms I enjoy without following with a water based cleanser. Think Elemis, Emma Hardie, or Kat Burki. When I use Cocoa Bean Cleansing Balm, however, I do adopt the double cleanse protocol. Remove the balm with a cloth and use either a gel or a foam formula afterward since the balm may feel a bit occlusive. My skin is prone to congestion and leans toward combination/oily so while I love balms and oils, I am careful with plant butters.
Yay or Nay
Every chocoholic needs to try this one. It’s a fun addition to my skincare repertoire and while I don’t plan to make it my main cleansing balm, I am reaching for it often to satisfy both my skincare and sweet tooth cravings.
$65 (100ml) at colleenrothschild.com
