If you saw my End of Summer Favorites, it won't come as a great shock that I've got a fantastic new cleanser to talk about today. Evolve is a British skincare line I've had my eye one for quite some time now. The entire line is certified organic by Ecocert and every product contains at least 99.5% natural ingredients. All the packaging is made of 100% recycled plastic and is fully recyclable, and the company makes a point of using fair trade ingredients whenever possible. In addition, Evolve was founded on ideas of "affordable luxury," so the price point is pretty reasonable too. As you might imagine, when I spotted the Gentle Cleansing Melt on sale back in July, I was quick to snatch it up.
The Gentle Cleansing Melt is a unique hybrid between a traditional balm cleanser and a cleansing milk. When you first squeeze it out of the tube, it has a thick, gel consistency, but as you massage it onto your (dry) face, the heat from your skin helps it melt into a soft, oily, balm consistency that easily spreads across your skin. With the addition of water, it transforms again - this time, into a light, milky lather.
Like any non-emulsifying cleansing balm, the Cleansing Melt does a fantastic job breaking down face makeup and deep cleaning your pores. The fact that it emulsifies is just icing on an already delightful cake. If oil or balm cleansers make you nervous, you'll love the way that the final, milky texture rinses away clean with just a few splashes of water, although I usually do use a washcloth just to make sure everything is fully washed off. In general, I like to double cleanse with another product following a balm cleanser, but I don't find it necessary with this one, since it washes away so clean. I do like to use a separate eye makeup remover though, as it can be a struggle to take off tougher things like mascara and eyeliner with only the Cleansing Melt.
Evolve recommends the Gentle Cleansing Melt for sensitive and normal to dry skin, but I really think it could work for most skin types. As cleansing balms go, it's on the lighter end - hydrating, yes, but not overly rich or heavy. It also rinses away clean and doesn't leave behind any residue that might be problematic for oilier skin.
The scent is also very neutral. It's a soft vanilla that's noticeable as I'm massaging the balm into my skin, but it doesn't linger beyond that.
The Bottom Line
Evolve's Gentle Cleansing Melt feels like a great lazy girl's balm cleanser. You get all the benefits of a traditional cleansing balm, without the struggle of trying to get it off your skin or the extra hassle of needing a second cleanse. I like how simple the ingredients are and how it leaves my skin feeling very soft and comfortable.
As far as I know, Evolve is not currently sold in North America, but I bought mine from Naturisimo who offers free (and incredibly quick!) worldwide shipping.
Ingredients: caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, aqua (water), sucrose laurate, sucrose palmitate, parfum (natural fragrance), tocopherol.
