Review: The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm has gone pretty much viral on social media. And, while there are some skincare enthusiasts who are less than impressed with this product, there are plenty more who absolutely love it.

I’ve been on the hunt for a new makeup remover so, in light of all the hype, I had to try this oat cleansing balm out. Let’s see how I got on with it…

What is it?

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm is a gentle, oil-based lotion that counts oat kernel oil and colloidal oatmeal as its main ingredients. It’s designed to remove makeup and cleanse the skin without being too harsh or stripping.

What are the standout ingredients?

Sweet almond oil – A plant oil, containing essential fatty acids, that moisturises the skin and prevents water loss.

Oat kernel oil – An oil derived from oats. It has a high lipid content, making it a natural moisturiser and humectant.

Oat kernel flour – A finely milled powder that comes from oats. It has skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Tocopherol – A form of vitamin E. It aids cellular restoration and protects skin from free radicals.

Sunflower seed oil – A non-comedogenic oil that is rich in vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants.

Check out the full ingredients list below and visit Incidecoder to find out exactly what each one does.

How should you use this product?

Since this is a balm, it’s recommended that you use it as the first part of your double cleanse. Just take a coin-sized amount and gently rub it into your face. Make sure to wet your face beforehand to allow the product to glide on! Then, once you’re satisfied that all makeup/SPF residue is gone, wash it off and follow up with a water-based cleanser.

The Inkey List and Cult Beauty websites also suggest that you can use it as a ‘nourishing face mask’. Simply apply the product, leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse off before carrying on with your usual skincare routine. I haven’t tried this method yet but I’ll update once I do!

How do I feel about…?

THE SCENT

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm doesn’t have a particularly strong smell at all. There’s the faintest hint of oat, but I wouldn’t say it’s that noticeable. Most other cleansing balms I’ve used have been a lot more fragranced.

THE TEXTURE

I have heard other people say that they found this balm to be quite gritty and almost abrasive. I personally didn’t notice this when I was testing it out so I’m wondering if perhaps they’ve changed the formula since then?! Or maybe I’m just lucky! Either way, it was much smoother than I had initially expected.

The balm itself is quite light, meaning that when you rub it into your face it becomes a lot more milky – like a face wash. I don’t actually mind this as it makes it much gentler on the eyes.

However, the one downside to the product, in terms of texture, is that it does separate pretty quickly. I found that, even after just a couple of uses, when I squeezed the tube an oil-like liquid would come out first. It’s not too much of an issue at the moment, but I feel like this could potentially affect the consistency as I reach the end of the product.

THE PACKAGING

I appreciate that the oat cleansing balm is in a tube since it makes it easier to dispense the product and close it back up. I’m not that fussy when it comes to packaging, but I do find it a little difficult to screw the lid back onto other cleansing balms with oily hands.

THE SUSTAINABILITY ASPECT

All of The Inkey List products are cruelty-free and, importantly, none of their suppliers test on animals. They do have some products that aren’t vegan, but luckily this cleansing balm is!

The packaging for this product is also recyclable – the cardboard box AND the tube. They do recommend that you separate the lid from the bottle though.

Overall thoughts

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm is super gentle on the skin and really does make my face feel hydrated after using it. If you have dehydrated or sensitive skin you’re going to love it, it’s not drying or astringent at all!

I also feel like it does a decent job of removing makeup and sunscreen. However, it can leave a sort of film on the skin. It doesn’t necessarily feel sticky or heavy, just very moisturised, so it’s not something that puts me off using it.

Weirdly, I almost preferred using this balm as a normal cleanser i.e. a water-based cleanser. My skin seemed to benefit from the moisturising effects more this way, so this is probably how I’ll continue to apply it.

Overall, for an affordable, drugstore oat cleansing balm I think this is worth the money. I have tried other cleansing balms that perhaps remove my makeup a little better, but this product beats them in terms of price and gentleness.

Where can I buy it?

This oat cleansing balm can be found at Boots, Feelunique, LOOKFANTASTIC, ASOS, and Cult Beauty. The price varies from retailer to retailer, but it’s usually around £9.99.

Have you tried The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm? What were your first impressions?