Grinding cleansing balms are one of the latest cleansing trends. It's an oil-based cleanser but reinvented to make sure that your product stays fresh for a longer period of time. Although Althea is one of the pioneering brands in this solution, I gave a try to another brand. Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm is a product powered by mung bean - a hanbang ingredient ideal for pore care and deep cleansing.
What's a cleanser?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary Cleanser is "a substance used for cleaning, especially your face". That's correct. If we want to be more specific we might add that a cleanser is a substance that contains cleansing agents, another name for them is surfactants. Cleanser is a product that removes dirt, sebum and products (makeup, sunscreen).
Cleansing Oil or Cleansing Balm
Both are so-called oil-based products. These products are the best to remove makeup, sebum or products like sunscreens. Some oils are emulsifying (I believe the majority of Korean and Japanese cleansing oils are emulsifying ones) like Purito From Green Avocado Cleansing Balm or Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil. Emulsifying ones are easier to remove since you can add water to them and these products change into milk.
Read more about: Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil
There are also cleansing oils that aren't emulsifying, I see that mostly local (European) brands are creating non-emulsifying cleansing oils since they are created for the OCM - oil cleansing method. I've tried cleansing oil like that from Resibo (a Polish skincare brand), and I believe the OCM method is not for me. It takes time, and removing non-emulsifying oil can take ages.
Does pH in cleanser matter?
Yes! Back in the day, toners were supposed to balance the pH of the skin after cleansing. Right now, toners have other purposes like nourishing and adding moisture to the skin. If you use a water-based cleanser, you might want to choose products with a pH similar to the skin. A higher pH of the skin is bad for the natural skin barrier, it can disrupt the function of the skin barrier and cause infections or irritation. Higher pH of the skin is also a good environment for acne.
If you have acne and you tried a series of products but nothing helps with your skin condition, you might want to check your cleansing gel and its pH. Remember, the pH of the cleanser doesn't matter in oil-based cleansers.
Can I use pure water to clean my skin?
Some people don't like to use cleansers or they think that water is the only good solution to cleanse their skin. I believe that pure water is better than no cleansing at all. If your skin is very dry or your skin barrier needs to rebuild then using pure water instead of any cleansing product might be good. Still, it's not something I would recommend doing every single day.
What's double cleansing?
Double cleansing is mostly associated with Asian skincare routines, especially Korean ones. I even found some articles (not research papers) that this method of cleansing comes from the 14th century. Sadly, I couldn't find a source of this information.
Double cleansing is a method of cleansing dry skin with oil-based products like cleansing oil or balm and following it with cleansing foam or cleansing gel. Between these two steps, we use water (not too cold, not too warm) to emulsify the oil.
Using double cleansing is supposed to remove makeup and make sure that none of the impurities are left on the skin.
What's triple cleansing?
I'm not joking, there's not only double cleansing, there's also triple cleansing. It's about using a makeup remover before double cleansing to remove makeup. I'm not a fan of using makeup wipes, but if you have heavy makeup then using cleansing pads soaked in micellar water and leaving them for a while on the skin before double cleansing can make it easier for makeup to remove.
Meet The Brand: Beplain
Beplain is a Korean skincare brand. According to the internet, this brand was founded in 2019. Beplain combines traditional ingredients with modern solutions to provide products to keep your skin healthy and make you more confident. The brand tries to balance living in harmony and traditional values. They try to promote sustainable products and transparency. One of the main ingredients used by Beplain is Mung Bean.
Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm - Packaging
Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm comes in a paper box. The Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm itself is enormously big, I've never had cleansing balm so big ever! The box is huge and I'm not sure if it's because of the grinding mechanism or not. I even compared it with other products like this and the majority of them contain 45-50 ml of the product, while Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm contains 100 ml of the product.
My first try with this product wasn't the best because I tried to move the wrong part of the packaging - I tried to move the top part instead of the bottom. My main problem is the lid - if you wash your face while taking a shower or a bath, you won't easily open the lid with wet hands.
Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm - Texture & Scent
I have mixed feelings towards the Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm texture. I find it sticky and hard to emulsify. It leaves lots of oily residue which my skin type doesn't enjoy. I tried using smaller amounts and the problem is still here. It does a great job with eye makeup - it doesn't sting and in general it feels nice, but the oily residue is a problem for me. I find the scent of Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm neutral.
Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm - Ingredients
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Synthetic Wax, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-8 Diisostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Water, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Gluconolactone, Ceramide NP, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that leaves a velvety layer on the skin's surface. It appears in cleansing products, making brushing and detangling your hair easier. Ethylhexyl Palmitate is an oily emollient that provides a satin-like film on the skin. It makes brushing your hair easier. Synthetic Wax is a synthetic substance that is supposed to work as natural wax. It's an emollient that prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL). PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a surfactant and emulsifier.
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate is an emulsifier. It's self-emulsifying so it's a good choice for cleansing oils. Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil is an emollient with a neutral scent. This oil is a source of flavonoids, lecithin, vitamin E, linoleic and oleic acids. It works as an oily emollient, and it's a good oil for massages. Sorbitan Sesquioleate is a water-in-oil emulsifier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a combination of coconut oil and glycerin. It's a notable emollient that is quite common in skincare. It leaves a protective film on the surface of the epidermis to save your cutis from dehydration. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride has a significant role in skin care products - it makes the application process effortless. Some people might experience pore-clogging after using Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, but pore-clogging and skin reactions to ingredients are individual. What works for you might not work for someone else.
PEG-8 Diisostearate is an emulsifier. Silica Dimethyl Silylate is an emulsifier and thickener. It's a silicone polymer that prevents skin and hair from dehydration by creating a film. It works well with pigment. Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer is an abrasive ingredient, it's also used to create a delicate film on the surface of the skin. Vigna Radiata Seed Extract has anti-inflammatory properties.
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Seed Oil is a source of oleic acid, flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals such as zinc and iron. It's an oily emollient and an antioxidant. It prevents TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and it has anti-inflammatory properties. Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Seed Oil has a positive meaning for skin and hair. Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Powder is an antioxidant with many positive aspects for the skin. Green tea provides flavonoids and vitamin C. It fights acne and helps with PIE (post-acne erythema) because of EGCG.
Houttuynia Cordata Powder is an ingredient which some people with acne-prone skin love for me, my experience was not bad but still all hail Centella! Houttuynia Cordata is a plant, which we still use in Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine, it's also known as Heart Leaf or Chinese lizard tail. Funny fact about Houttuynia - it's also called Fish Wort, Fish Leaf, etc. because it's an edible plant and it usually leaves a fishy aftertaste. I eat fish a lot, but I'm not a fan of the fishy taste of low-quality matcha (yep, I'm a tea & fish snob) so I don't think I would enjoy it, I'll stay with enjoying Houttuynia magic in skincare. Houttuynia is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It's also a source of quercetin, quercitrin, rutin and hyperin. If your skin is sensitive, you might love it! It might have some delicate scrub properties.
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract or Neem Leaf Extract has antibacterial properties. Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder or Mung Bean Powder is a thickener. Mung Bean in products is a great ingredient for acne-prone skin. Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract or Neem Flower Extract is an antioxidant. It has antibacterial and soothing properties.
Water is often hidden in cosmetic products under names such as "Aqua" or "Eau". It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. Water in skin care products needs to meet certain standards. It should be clean and free from minerals, microorganisms, or other substances. Usually, water makes up the majority of the product's content. Coccinia Indica (Ivy Gourd) Fruit Extract might moisturize skin & hair and make them soft.
Butylene Glycol is a common ingredient in products. It's not only a solvent. We use butylene glycol because it helps penetrate active ingredients, protects products from drying, and moisturizes skin and hair. This ingredient can prevent hair loss and strengthen hair. Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract is an antioxidant. Amber Powder is a powder that works as an exfoliant, but it also has deodorizing properties.
Gluconolactone is a poly-hydroxy acid (PHA) and a gentler cousin of AHA. Brands mostly appreciate this ingredient for its subtle exfoliating properties. It's an ideal exfoliant for sensitive skin. Additionally, Gluconolactone has moisturizing properties, and if you use it for longer, you might see differences in wrinkles. There is also information that Gluconolactone might be a potent antioxidant. In haircare, Gluconolactone helps with the scalp but also adds moisture to the hair.
Ceramides naturally occur in the skin—they're like cement. Ceramide NP (also known as Ceramide 3) strengthens the skin barrier to prevent dehydration. Capryloyl Salicylic Acid is nothing else than lipohydroxy acid. Capryloyl Salicylic Acid is related to salicylic acid. LHA has a bigger molecule which makes it more gentle on the skin than salicylic acid, but that also means Capryloyl Salicylic Acid doesn't work as deep as Salicylic Acid. It removes dead skin cells and balances sebum production.
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract or Turmeric Root Extract is an ingredient that everyone with acne-prone skin should know. Turmeric is a herb used in traditional medicine, but you probably know it as a spice. What's so great about this ingredient? It's an antioxidant with soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It might reduce redness on your skin and it might be even helpful with acne, sebum production, wrinkles or pigmentation.
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract or Tulsi Leaf Extract has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Corallina Officinalis Extract or red algae extract is an antioxidant. It's a source of Vitamin C, E, zinc and iron. It has soothing and anti-aging properties. It might help with moisture level. Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil is an emollient rich in oleic acid and vitamin E. It prevents TEWL (transepidermal water loss).
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic solvent and preservative. It protects products from microorganisms by boosting other preservatives. At the same time, it can moisturize the skin and has no unpleasant effects on the epidermis. Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate is an ingredient obtained during the fermentation process of soymilk. It's full of soy isoflavones. Soy is a phytoestrogen and it can be helpful for mature skin.
How does Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm work?
Beplain focused the entire line on Mung Bean Although this plant is native to India, mung bean is popular in Asian countries and it's commonly used in Asian cuisines. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mung Bean helps with heat and detoxifies the body. It is said that even during the Joseon period women used mung bean to cleanse their faces. It makes sense since mung beans are supposed to be rich in saponins. It shouldn't surprise that Beplain decided to use Mung Bean Powder for its cleanser.
One of the biggest advantages of Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm is that it doesn't only remove makeup, but it's also a product for pore care. I don't see huge differences in pores, but I use BHA too so that might be the reason. Another advantage of this product is that it contains twice as much product as other grinding balms. Dr Althea, D'Alba and House of Hur have 45g or 50ml of the product, while Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm contains 100ml of the product. It's more sustainable, even if the packaging itself uses a huge amount of plastic. I'm more likely to buy one big tube than a few smaller ones. The price difference is also significant - Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm is more affordable.
Read more about: Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil
According to the brand, you have to use this cleanser for 30 seconds on dry skin. I did it and as long as it removes makeup well and it doesn't leave my eyes foggy, I find it difficult to remove the oily residue. I know that it can happen and that's why we have cleansing foams and gels, but honestly, the best way to remove this oily residue is to use Clinique Take The Day Off™ Charcoal Cleansing Balm - yes, another cleansing balm. That's why I have mixed feelings towards Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm. I bought it because Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil Jumbo was one of the best cleansing oils I've tried for a while and that's why I'm a bit disappointed that cleansing balm isn't as good as a cleansing oil. I see that lots of people enjoy this cleanser anyway so maybe I did something wrong, even if I tried to use bigger and smaller amounts, the result is always the same.
Where to buy Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm and how much does it cost?
I bought Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm* at YesStyle*, normally it costs around $23/100ml, but currently, you can get it for about $16/100ml. Feel free to use my reference code BETWEENDOTS to save on your order. Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm* is also available at Olive Young but it costs $31/100ml. It's a high price, but if you plan to shop at Olive Young you can use my affiliate code BETWEEND0 to save on your order.
Overall, Beplain Mung Bean Pore Grinding Cleansing Balm is an affordable cleansing balm if you want to give grinding cleansing balm a try, but if your skin is combo or oily, you might find Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil Jumbo more suitable for your skin.
Have you ever tried grinding cleansing balm before?
Post a Comment