What benefits does squalane provide in the Muji Cleansing Balm?

Squalane is a lightweight, stable hydrocarbon that mimics the skin's natural lipids, helping to replenish the barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss and leave a non-greasy, silky feel after the balm is rinsed off.

How often should the balm be applied and does it contain any controversial ingredients?

It is intended for once-daily use, typically in the evening to remove makeup and impurities; the formula does contain PEG-20 glyceryl trisostearate, a synthetic emulsifier, and phenoxyethanol, a preservative that some users consider irritating, though they are approved for cosmetic use.

Muji • 100g

Cleansing balm (anti-oxident(

Q: Is the Muji Cleansing Balm suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or dry skin?

The balm's rich blend of moisturizing oils makes it very soothing for dry or normal skin, but the presence of synthetic wax, PEG-20 glyceryl trisostearate and phenoxyethanol can trigger irritation on highly sensitive or acne-prone skin, so a patch test is recommended.

Cleansing Balm

Product Insights

Muji's 100 g anti-oxidant Cleansing Balm is a solid balm that melts on skin to emulsify and lift makeup, sunscreen and daily grime. The formulation combines a high proportion of botanical seed and nut oils, including shea, camellia, lemon peel, hazelnut, meadowfoam, evening-prime rose, rice germ, avocado, sweet almond, rosehip, jojoba and grape seed- along with squalane and tocopherol to moisturize and protect the skin while iron-oxide pigment adds a subtle tint. Potential drawbacks are the inclusion of synthetic wax, PEG-20 glyceryl trisostearate and phenoxyethanol, which may irritate very sensitive or compromised skin and leave the product's vegan status uncertain.

Comparative Analysis

Positioned as a premium, oil-rich cleansing balm, this Muji product distinguishes itself from typical micellar or foaming cleansers by offering antioxidant-dense botanical oils, squalane and vitamin E for added moisturisation and barrier support.

Ingredients

ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PEG-20 GLYCERYL TRISOSTEARATE, SYNTHETIC WAX, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS (RAPESEED) SEED OIL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) OIL CAMELLIA JAPONICA SEED OIL, CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) PEEL OIL, CORYLUS AVELLANA (HAZELNUT) SEED OIL LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL OENOTHERA BIENNIS (EVENING PRIMROSE) OIL, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) GERM OIL, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL ROSA CANINA FRUIT OIL, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL, SQUALANE, TOCOPHEROL, RHYOLITE POWDER, KAOLIN, CI 77491, PHENOXYETHANOL

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35%

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