THE SKINCARMA PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: BALM LABS 3-STEP REGIMEN - BEST ACNE REGIMEN, BEST FACE SERUM WITH CBD, BEST ACNE CLEANSER
I have literally been dreaming of this moment all year long.
My first-ever Skincarma Product of the Year was two years ago, when I designated The Ordinary’s 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder my favorite product of 2018. It’s one of the best Vitamin C serums for brightening the complexion.
Sure, as nothing more than a pot of powder, it’s not exactly a serum until you mix it with one — but you know what I mean. If you have an interest in a brighter complexion, you have to give it a try! Be sure to catch my full review of it here.
I followed that up last year with literally one of the best anti-aging serums on the market. The Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Serum is such a magnificent formula. It’s clean, natural and a tremendous pleasure to use. I shared about it several times over the year, initially in my article on the best Bakuchiol serums titled, Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Anti-Aging Serums from The Inkey List, Herbivore & More! You can catch it here.
So I’m excited to present the Skincarma Product of the Year for 2020 — the Balm Labs 3-Step System! Given everything that went on over the past chaotic twelve months, skin care was a real joy for me and, specifically, my discovery of Balm Labs.
Before I share what I consider the best skincare of the year, know that it’s never been an easy decision. By the time November rolled around, I had several standout products in mind — including the Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster, the Maysama Green Rooibos Pressed Serum and BeautyStat’s Universal C Skin Refiner — one of my favorite Vitamin C serums of the past year. I guess you could consider these the finalists.
It bears noting that as much as I’m the biggest fan of the Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster, it’s a four-year-old product and should really be the Skincarma Product of the Year for 2017! As Cher so famously crooned, If I could turn back time…
So what goes into this momentous decision, what makes a skincare product a contender for the Skincarma Product of the Year? Well, it comes down to these three considerations:
Whether the product is well-formulated and truly effective. Does it do what it claims to do?
Whether the product represents real innovation in the skincare marketplace.
How much I’ve enjoyed using it!
The Balm Labs 3-Step System met all of these considerations. Together, the three products form a skincare routine that is superbly effective, representing incredible innovation in the extensive market for acne treatments. What perhaps stands out to me, and elevates Balm Labs above most other skincare for blemish-prone, acneic skin, is that it literally advances the health of the skin. Most other acne products actually make matters worse, perpetuate the acne cycle, and even damage the skin, actually compromising skin health.
And here’s where #3 comes in — how much I’ve personally enjoyed using it. I don’t have blemish-prone skin. Sure, like everyone, I tackle a random blemish once or twice a month. What’s so remarkable about the Balm Labs products is they are so focused on skin health, that you don’t have to suffer from acne to use them — and to enjoy doing so.
Over the past year, Balm Labs has been my top recommendation for acne sufferers. And it’s consistently received kudos for its efficacy and ability to rebalance blemish prone skin — to act as something of a skin reboot. One friend, who’s in his twenties and has never had a clear complexion, now has the healthiest, brightest, clearest skin of his life thanks to the Balm Labs 3-step regimen.
The 2020 Skincarma Product of the Year: The Balm Labs 3-Step System
Balance is as important in your daily life as it is in the care of your skin. Skin that’s out of whack tends to misbehave in a multitude of ways. An imbalanced surface microbiome leads to sensitivity, redness, overproduction of oils, a fatigued complexion — and yes, acne.
Throughout my teen years (and remarkably to this very day decades later!), the go-to acne treatments were harsh, drying and loaded with denatured alcohol and fragrant essential oils like lavender, peppermint and everyone’s favorite medicinal scent, eucalyptus.
All of these only irritate the skin more; and in the case of alcohol, literally perpetuate the acne cycle by drying out the skin and causing it to produce more oil — the last thing blemish-prone skin needs.
Clarifying the harm that denatured alcohol can do for the skin, I found an excellent article from the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, Alcohol in Skin Care: The Facts. It’s available to read in full on the brand’s website here.
In the article, the team lays it out this way:
“If your skin is oily, it can be tempting to use alcohol-based products because they provide an immediate matte finish, essentially de-greasing the "oil slick." The irony of using alcohol-based products to control oily skin is that the damage from alcohol can lead to an increase in bumps and enlarged pores.
And get this: Alcohol can actually increase oiliness, so the immediate de-greasing effect is eventually counteracted, prompting your oily skin to look even more shiny. Talk about spinning your wheels!”
Alcohol and fragrant “essential” oils are hardly the best acne treatments for blemish-prone skin. In fact, they’re the worst treatments for acne, period. Full stop.
But what else is there?
Actually, today there are multiple ways to treat acne that balance the skin’s microbiome and restore skin health. Just over a year ago, I began paying attention to scientific innovations in the treatment of acne. It’s resulted in an entire section of the Skincarma Blog titled, The Best Acne Treatments. You can access it here.
My first foray into the newest acne treatment innovations led me to research probiotic acne products. I wrote about the use of probiotics to balance skin and treat acne in an article titled, Skincare 101: Acne Treatments and Probiotic Skincare, which you can read here.
More recently, though, I’ve been delving into skincare with CBD as a solution for acne and came across Balm Labs — a collection of CBD powered skin care that’s highly pro-skin health.
But, the Balm Labs formulas weren’t made for simply maintaining and enhancing skin health. They were formulated to rebalance skin and to treat both adult acne and blemish-prone skin.
I just happen to know enough about skin care to know the formulas are so much more than that. And that’s how and why they’ve earned their place among the best skincare I’ve come across this year.
Throughout the year, I’ve been enjoying the pro-skin health Balm Labs 3-step system for my own relatively acne-free skin. The fact that I’m acne-free in adulthood isn’t by chance; it has nothing to do with luck. It’s because I pay very close attention to how my skin is behaving and responding to specific treatments. That is, I monitor whether or not it’s in balance and reflecting balance. When it’s not, when it’s reactive, I dial things down. And I very often turn to Balm Labs to reboot my skin and get it right again.
Balm Labs’ 3-step routine includes the Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser, a thick, frothy cleansing foam; Clear Balm Power Elixir, an acid-based exfoliating treatment; and my cherished Clear Balm Serum Hydrator, which I often use as a soothing humectant serum in either my AM or PM routine. Each of the products is 100% plant-based and powered by naturally derived AHA’s.
The first time I used the Balm Labs regimen exclusively, I was immediately struck by how this innovative skincare lit up my complexion. In the months since, I’ve joked about what I call the #balmlabsbombglow. It’s actually not a joke at all. It’s legit!
Let’s take a look at each of the Balm Labs products in the brand’s 3-step skincare routine for acne prone skin and all skins that need a bit more balance…
FOR A LIMITED TIME
ENJOY 15% OFF ALL BALM LABS SKINCARE
CLICK HERE AND ENTER CODE SKINCARMA15 AT CHECKOUT
Balm Labs | Clear Balm Serum Hydrator
Both the Clear Balm Serum Hydrator and the brand’s exfoliating Power Elixir contain 300 mg of CBD to help sooth irritation and restore equilibrium in the surface microbiome. Personally, I really noticed a difference in how my skin behaved within 24 hours after using the brand’s regimen the very first time. I was literally glowing — and not in the same way I glow when I’m enjoying a cupcake!
CBD in skincare has exploded over the last 18 months with the more established brands like Paula’s Choice, Herbivore, and Josie Maran offering new, innovative CBD facial skin care.
Last spring, the beauty gurus at Allure published an article titled, The 17 Best CBD Skin-Care Products to Try Right Now.
Right at the top that Allure list? The Herbivore Botanicals Emerald CBD + Adaptogens Deep Moisture Glow Oil — which I reviewed on my blog here. (I’m proud to have noted its exceptional qualities on the Skincarma Blog first!)
Beyond the well-known brands, new entrants founded entirely around CBD products have emerged — among them Saint Jane Beauty, Prima and Balm Labs.
What does CBD in skin care do for skin?
That’s really been the question of the year! So, what makes it more than the gimmick it would seem to be at first? For the answer, I turned to the trusted experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team, as I so often do. According to the Paula’s Choice Research Team:
“Cannabidiol has been shown to offer numerous benefits related to calming skin. Skin has specific receptor sites for cannabinoids (referred to as its endocannabinoid system). It seems CBD can “talk” to these receptor sites on skin, sending unique signals to stop firing the wrong messages, which in turn leads to healthier, better-looking skin. This benefit makes cannabidiol an intriguing ingredient for interrupting the progression of damage within skin’s uppermost layers that can lead to visible problems; however, more research needs to be done to gain a greater understanding of how CBD works on skin.
Research has also shown, though isn’t entirely clear on how this works, that CBD seems to visibly reduce oily skin. It’s also a very good antioxidant, on par with vitamins C and E.”
For more, there’s a fantastic article about CBD in skin care in the Skincare Advice section on the Paula’s Choice website titled, CBD Oil's Benefits for Skin: Can it Help With Acne, Anti-Aging, & Other Skin Issues? — which you can read here.
The Balm Labs Serum Hydrator is a really cool formula that’s easily layered into any and every existing skincare routine. As I said, I often slot it in at the humectant serum step in my own daily regimen — immediately following cleansing and toning.
It’s a terrific blend of antioxidant botanical extracts, non-fragrant plant oils and brightening Niacinamide that illuminates the complexion and gives you that signature #balmlabsbombglow!
The Serum Hydrator has a light, milky texture that sinks right in. It’s natural, deeply nourishing and such a pleasure to use. Really good stuff to rebalance the skin and restore skin health — and the place to start your Balm Labs journey.
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, save 15% on all skin care from Balm Labs with code SKINCARMA15. Purchase the Balm Labs Clear Balm Serum Hydrator for $71.40 (reg. $84) here.
THE SKINCARMA
GIVEAWAY!
Enter to win the Balm Labs 3-Step System, including the Clear Balm Serum Hydrator, Clear Balm Power Elixir, and Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser — an innovative solution for balancing all skin types, particularly adult acne and blemish-prone skin. ($176 value!)
Share why you want to win in the comments below. Then, return to the Skincarma IG page and comment “Done”. Giveaway ends Sunday 01/03/2021.
Balm Labs | Clear Balm Power Elixir
The AHA-powered Clear Balm Power Elixir has consistently surprised me. I have the impression that my skin doesn’t respond well to AHA’s, particularly Glycolic Acid. But, Balm Labs seems to have struck the right balance with just enough of the alpha hydroxy acids to get the job done without irritating my skin.
As with the Balm Labs Serum Hydrator, the exfoliating Power Elixir is powered by 300 mg of CBD — which also helps to ameliorate any potential irritation from the Glycolic Acid.
In addition, the lightweight, clear liquid formula contains Bixa Orellana Seed Extract — an antioxidant botanical with unique purifying and pore-refining properties that helps to ameliorate acne breakouts.
The Power Elixir contains a naturally derived blend of AHA actives — including Sugar Cane Extract, Orange Fruit Extract and Sugar Maple Extract. Perhaps it’s because the alpha hydroxy acids are derived from natural extracts rather than straight up Glycolic or Lactic acids themselves that I experienced no adverse effects. Just that #balmlabsbombglow!
But legitimately, I think it’s due to the fact that the formula contains a high concentration of soothing cannabidiol. At this point, I’ve had enough experience with CBD in skin care to know that it really does calm skin down and prevent the reactivity that I’m accustomed to, particularly when using potent concentrations of AHA’s.
Balm Labs’ Power Elixir is ideal for all skin types — from very oily to very dry.
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, save 15% on all skin care from Balm Labs with code SKINCARMA15. Purchase the Balm Labs Clear Balm Power Elixir for $49.30 (reg. $58) here.
FOR A LIMITED TIME
ENJOY 15% OFF ALL BALM LABS SKINCARE
CLICK HERE AND ENTER CODE SKINCARMA15 AT CHECKOUT
THE SKINCARMA
GIVEAWAY!
Enter to win the Balm Labs 3-Step System, including the Clear Balm Serum Hydrator, Clear Balm Power Elixir, and Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser — an innovative solution for balancing all skin types, particularly adult acne and blemish-prone skin. ($176 value!)
Share why you want to win in the comments below. Then, return to the Skincarma IG page and comment “Done”. Giveaway ends Sunday 01/03/2021.
Balm Labs | Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser:
If you’ve watched my IGTV videos for #selfcaresunday, you know that I’m a huge fan of cleansers — all kinds of cleansers. To me, cleansing is a daily ritual and I sometimes perform a cleansing ritual four times a day.
The most important cleanse of the day for me is the double cleanse I do in the late afternoon when I get home from work or from time out in the City. I walk in the door, feed a desperately hungry Orpheus…and get to cleansing!
Always beginning with a cleansing oil, I wipe away the day’s build-up of sunscreen, pollution, sweat, oil and grime. Then, I follow with a second cleanse in the form of a gentle cleansing foam or lightly emulsifying cleansing gel.
And the Balm Labs Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser is the sidekick to a cleansing oil — the ideal partner in the double cleanse. It’s gentle, soothing and, most importantly, non-stripping. Stripping the skin of vital oils — whether your skin is dry, oily, or normal like mine — is never a good thing.
In particular, if you have oily skin, or blemish-prone skin, stripping all surface oils will only exacerbate the problem. Even the apparent miracle that is CBD is unlikely to calm your skin down!
What is double cleansing?
If you’re unfamiliar with the point of a double cleanse, first popularized in K-beauty routines, I invite you to check out this terrific article in Allure magazine titled, A Beginner's Guide to Double Cleansing and Its Importance to Your Skin-Care Routine. In the Allure piece, the author explains the origins, rationale and how-to’s of a double cleanse: “Double cleansing has become revered — both with pros in the aesthetic world and as the backbone of many K-beauty skin-care routines — since cleansing your skin at the end of the day is so important.”
STEP 1:
First, you use an oil-based cleanser (like Savor Beauty Coconut Jasmine Pre-Cleanse Oil) or micellar water (like Bioderma Sensibio H20) to wipe off makeup and oil buildup. “Using a micellar water, which is a neutral non-lathering emulsion, or an oil-based cleanser, will gently remove the makeup and oils and gently wipe them off leaving the natural hydrating oils behind,” Lily Talakoub, a dermatologist in McLean, Virginia, tells Allure. “These products break down the sebum of the skin and makeup, which are both also oil-based.”
STEP 2:
After the first step has removed any makeup and impurities, step two involves a good old-fashioned lathering cleanser and water. “To get deeper into the pores, I like a gentle cleanser from Pai,” says Talakoub.
Pro tip: “Because of the way the follicles are oriented on the face, it’s best to wash upwards and outwards in order to get a deeper cleanse,” explains Engelman. The reverse is true when you're applying makeup, which ideally, you don't want to drive into your pores.
As with both the Balm Labs Clear Balm Serum Hydrator and Clear Balm Power Elixir, the Gentle Foam Cleanser is infused with natural AHA’s and the brand’s signature purifying Bixa Orellana Seed Extract. While the cleansing foam formula is the sole product of the three that contains no CBD, it does contain the same AHA complex as the Power Elixir.
It’s a super gentle, lightweight foam that actually tickles a bit when you use it. How crazy does that sound?! Again, it’s so lightweight, it washes off nearly instantly. And, it’s non-comedogenic, too. No clogged pores allowed!
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, save 15% on all skin care from Balm Labs with code SKINCARMA15. Purchase the Balm Labs Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser for $28.90 (reg. $34) here.
That’s it guys! I hope you’ve enjoyed my product and brand insights throughout the year. I hope you’ll give Balm Labs a try! And be sure to enter the exclusive giveaway just below for a chance to win the three-product Balm Labs regimen and witness that #balmlabsbombglow for yourself!
💟 SKINCARMA
THE SKINCARMA
GIVEAWAY!
Enter to win the Balm Labs 3-Step System, including the Clear Balm Serum Hydrator, Clear Balm Power Elixir, and Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser — an innovative solution for balancing all skin types, particularly adult acne and blemish-prone skin. ($176 value!)
Share why you want to win in the comments below. Then, return to the Skincarma IG page and comment “Done”. Giveaway ends Sunday 01/03/2021.
FOR A LIMITED TIME
ENJOY 15% OFF ALL BALM LABS SKINCARE
CLICK HERE AND ENTER CODE SKINCARMA15 AT CHECKOUT
The Ingredient List of the Balm Labs Clear Balm Serum Hydrator:
Water (Aqua), Squalane, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Lecithin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Yeast Extract, Soy Amino Acids, Cannabidiol, Caprylyl Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Maltodextrin, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid.
The Ingredient List of the Balm Labs Clear Balm Power Elixir:
Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Cannabidiol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Exract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Maltodextrin, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Panthenol, Citric Acid.
The Ingredient List of the Balm Labs Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser:
Water (Aqua), Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Maltodextrin, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract.
