Lovely for: normal, dry, mature and dehydrated skin, and anyone who wants to remove make-up and SPF without that tight, squeaky feeling. Brilliant after a sea swim, when wind and salt have left skin feeling thirsty.
Why it's different:
✓ Virgin organic coconut oil, from a single source
Unrefined and cold-pressed, so it keeps its natural goodness. This is what does the work: oil dissolves oil, so it loosens make-up, sunscreen and the day's grime gently, with no harsh foaming agents. Because it comes from one source, we know exactly where it was grown.
✓ Shea butter from a women's cooperative in Ghana
Rich and cushioning, shea gives the balm its soft, melting texture and leaves skin feeling nourished after cleansing. The women who make it run their own cooperative, and they put its profits into educating girls in their community. Every pot of cleanser is a small part of that.
✓ Eco marine algae extract
A golden, oil-loving extract from microalgae found in the sea. It's rich in natural carotenoids, omega fatty acids and antioxidants. The algae are grown in a solar-powered facility rather than harvested from the wild, so ocean ecosystems are left undisturbed. It felt right to include a little of the sea in a product made to protect it.
✓ Lavender essential oil, sourced locally
Gently grown not far from where we make every pot. Its soft, familiar scent turns cleansing into a moment to slow down and breathe out.
✓ Kept fresh with a gentle eco-certified preservative (benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid), so your balm stays fresh right to the bottom of the jar.
Worth knowing:
• Breakout-prone or very oily skin? Coconut oil can moisturise for most people, but clog pores for some people. If your skin is prone to breakouts, try it two or three evenings a week first and see how your skin responds.
• Sensitive to fragrance? Lavender essential oil naturally contains linalool, which some people react to. If you have sensitive skin or eczema, or know you react to fragrance, patch-test on your inner arm for 48 hours first.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding? Check with your midwife or GP before using products with essential oils, if you'd like to be sure.
• Texture changes with the seasons. Coconut oil softens on warm days and firms up in the cold. It's completely normal and doesn't affect how well it works.
Avoid getting it directly in your eyes. If it does, rinse with clean water.
Ocean Score in full: 92/100
• Ingredients: Simple, biodegradable, plant- and algae-based formula with no microplastics or silicones
• Packaging: Glass jar and aluminium lid, both endlessly recyclable
• Brand impact: Vegan and cruelty free
• Social responsibility: CleanHub partnership removing ocean-bound plastic; shea from a cooperative that funds girls' education
We'd rather be honest than perfect, so here's what keeps us from 100:
• A little plastic remains. There's a small plastic seal inside the lid and our label isn't plastic-free yet. We're testing alternatives. Until then, we don't call this pot plastic-free.
• Our ingredients travel. Coconut and shea can't be grown in Sussex, so some of our ingredients come from far away. We choose single-source and cooperative suppliers so we know where they come from and who they benefit.
Recycling your pot: wash out the jar and lid and recycle them with glass and metal. Remove the inner seal first and check your council's guidance for it.
FAQs
- Do I need a special cloth?
Any soft muslin or cotton face cloth works well.
Can I use it to remove eye make-up?
No, this product should not be used in or around the eye area. If the product comes into contact with your eyes, rinse straight away with plenty of clean, lukewarm water. If irritation continues, please seek medical advice.
Morning or night?
Night is when it shines, as it removes make-up and SPF. In the morning, a quick splash of water or a lighter cleanse is usually enough; but that's just our preference. It can be used any time of day.
Do I need a second cleanse?
It depends what you like. This is an oil-based balm, so it leaves a light moisturising-feeling layer on your skin. I personally love that, as it means I can often skip the moisturiser. Some people prefer to follow with a gentle water-based cleanser for a fresher, lighter finish, especially if they have oily or breakout-prone skin. Both are fine, so do whatever feels best for your skin.
How long will it last once opened?
You'll find a best-before date on every jar. Because the balm is made without water, it stays fresh for a long time, but for the loveliest scent and texture we'd suggest using it within 6 months of opening. Keep the lid on, store it somewhere cool and dry, and keep water out of the jar.
Is it plastic-free?
Almost, but not quite. The jar is glass and the lid is aluminium, but there's a small plastic seal inside the lid and on our label. We're working on it, and have got it as close to plastic-free as we can based on the packaging available today.
CleanHub uses technology to keep plastic out of the sea by collecting, tracking and recovering it with full transparency.
