BALM LABS FACIAL SKINCARE WITH CBD TO BALANCE, CALM AND TREAT ACNE AND BLEMISH-PRONE SKIN
The Skincarma Product of the Year
Welcome to the third annual Skincarma Product of the Year — the Balm Labs 3-Step System.
You may recall that I kicked off the annual product of the year designation in 2018 with the The Ordinary’s 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder. You can read the full blog article here.
I followed that up in 2019 with Herbivore’s Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Serum — one of my favorite serums of all time, and one of the best anti-aging serums with Bakuchiol, the revolutionary alternative to Retinol. I invite you to read more about it here.
I spent the better part of 2020 thinking about this very moment. Experiencing so much skincare in the course of 12 months, you may wonder how I can even decide which is the one that stands above the rest. Well, it’s not easy, but it becomes clear which products are true contenders by the end of November.
Selecting the Skincarma Product of the Year comes down to three things:
Whether the product is truly effective.
Whether the product is exceptionally innovative.
How much I love it.
By the late fall, I’d narrowed my selection down to a handful of products that met the criteria. Among then finalists, the Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster, BeautyStat’s Universal C Skin Refiner and xxx.
The Balm Labs 3-Step System
When it comes to balance, it’s as important in life as it is in the care of your skin. Skin that’s imbalanced, out of whack, misbehaves in a multitude of ways. Imbalance leads to sensitivity, redness, overproduction of oils, a fatigued complexion — and even 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.
Both of these only irritate the skin more; and in the case of alcohol, literally perpetuate the acne cycle.
There’s an excellent article from the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, Alcohol in Skin Care: The Facts 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 I can imagine.
But what else is there?
Actually, today there are multiple ways to treat acne that balance the skin and restore its health. Just over a year ago, I began paying attention to scientific innovations in the treatment of acne.
My first foray into the newest acne treatments 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.
In the piece, I introduced Australian brand Amperna — one of the very first skincare brands to bring solid, effective probiotic acne treatments to the consumer marketplace.
Since that time, I’ve discovered new, innovative brands like Zitsticka and Banish — both of which target acne and blemish-prone skin in a new way.
Honestly, the Zitsticka zit patches are one of the most effective ways I’ve come across to treat existing acne blemishes. In fact, I consider Zitsticka’s acne patches the best treatment for acne available today. They treat acne without mistreating the skin. They simply work.
The Banish system and, in particular, the brand’s Banisher 2.0 microneedling device, helps fade stubborn acne marks. Marks are often the result of aggressive alcohol-based treatments that rid the skin of blemishes quickly but damage it longterm, leaving a stubborn spot behind.
Recently, I’ve delved 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. In fact, I included the remarkable Balm Labs Clear Balm Serum Hydrator in my article on the best CBD facial skincare.
But, the Balm Labs formulas weren’t necessarily made for just maintaining and enhancing skin health. They were actually 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 why 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 that. When it’s not, when it’s reactive, I dial things down.
But I know I’m the exception to the rule. There are many, many people frustrated by adult acne. Like so much that goes on with our skin, the issue is complex. There’s an excellent article on the Balm Labs website titled, 7 Things You Might Not Know About Adult Acne which you can access here.
What causes adult acne?
Among the most significant causes of adult acne are hormones and chronic stress — both of which throw the skin off balance. The Balm Labs regimen works synergistically to bring skin back into balance and enhance overall skin health, restoring healthy functions and mitigating the occurrence of adult acne.
Photo by metamorworks/iStock / Getty Images
The 3-step routine includes the Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser, Clear Balm Power Elixir, an acid-based exfoliating treatment — and my cherished Balm Labs Clear Balm Serum Hydrator, which I use as my humectant serum both AM and PM. Each of the products is 100% plant-based and powered by naturally derived AHA’s.
About two months ago, I first immersed myself in the Balm Labs trio and was immediately struck by how this unique skincare routine with CBD instantly lit up my own complexion. If you missed my IGTV video for that particular #selfcaresunday, you can catch it here. I featured the entire Balm Labs regimen, which made for a rather balanced Selfcare Sunday!
I’ve joked about what I call the #balmlabsbombglow. Honestly, it’s no joke; it’s legit! Let’s take a look at each of the Balm Labs products in the brand’s 3-step routine…
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ENJOY 10% OFF ALL BALM LABS SKINCARE
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Balm Labs | Clear Balm Serum Hydrator
To start, both the Clear Balm Serum Hydrator and Power Elixir contain 300 mg of CBD to help sooth irritation and restore skin’s equilibrium. Personally, I really noticed a difference in how my skin behaved within 24 hours of employing the brand’s regimen. I was literally glowing — and not in the same way as 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.
Beyond the well-known brands, new entrants founded entirely around CBD products have emerged — among them Saint Jane Beauty, Prima and, of course, Balm Labs.
What does CBD in skin care do for skin?
That the question of the year. So, what makes it more than the gimmick it would seem to be?
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 slotted it in at the humectant serum step in my own 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 give you that #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!
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, save 10% on all skin care from Balm Labs with code SKINCARMA10. Purchase the Balm Labs Clear Balm Serum Hydrator for $75.60 (reg. $84) here.
Balm Labs | Clear Balm Power Elixir
The AHA-powered Clear Balm Power Elixir really 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 the skin.
As with the Balm Labs Serum Hydrator, the exfoliating Power Elixir is powered by 300 mg of CBD.
The light, clear liquid formula also contains antioxidant 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 I think it’s also due to the fact that the formula contains 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 AHA’s.
Balm Labs’ Power Elixir is ideal for all skin types — from very oily to very dry. In fact, as my skin begins to dry out in the colder months, I’m looking forward to torture testing the Power Elixir!
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, save 10% on all Balm Labs skincare. Code: SKINCARMA10. Purchase the Balm Labs Clear Balm Power Elixir for $52.20 (reg. $58) here.
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 said ritual four times a day!
In fact, I’m planning an upcoming article on a few of my fave new cleanser discoveries over the last few months. If you missed my first piece titled, Three Facial Cleansers I Love but You’ve (Probably) Never Heard of, you can still catch it here.
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 Orpheus…and get 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 soothing cleansing gel.
And the Balm Labs Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser is the perfect partner to a cleansing oil — the ideal second cleanse option. 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 miracle that is CBD is unlikely to calm your skin down!
As Balm Labs’ hydrating serum and exfoliating elixir, the non-comedogenic 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 10% on all skin care from Balm Labs with code SKINCARMA10. Purchase the Balm Labs Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser for $30.60 (reg. $34) here.
That’s it guys! I hope you learned a bit more about adult acne and the unique ways to treat it that have come to the market in the last 18 months or so. Please do check out the excellent article on adult acne on the Balm Labs website here.
And, of course, be sure to enter the exclusive giveaway just below for a chance to win the entire 3-step Balm Labs skin-balancing regimen and see that #balmlabsbombglow for yourself!
🖤 SKINCARMA
FOR A LIMITED TIME
ENJOY 10% OFF ALL BALM LABS SKINCARE
CLICK HERE AND ENTER CODE SKINCARMA10 AT CHECKOUT
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 08/09/2020.
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.
