Best Cleansing Balm for Skin Over 40: Why I Still Use the Same One After Five Years

Best Cleansing Balm for Skin Over 40 and Beyond: Why I Still Use the Same One After More Than Half a Decade 

After half a decade of skin changes, this is still the jar I reach for every single day. 

Here is why.

Radiance Reveal Cleansing Balm has been a consistent part of my, and many of our repeat customer's lives for a long time now. 

At the time of formulating it, my skin was changing, visibly and noticeably, and I was feeling somewhat frustrated - mainly because I just didn't really understand the changes my skin was actually going through. I just knew that things were - different.  

For years before that - since I was a teenager - I avoided any kind of oil-based product. It was always straight to the oil-free section and products for me, sunscreen and foundation included. 

But products that had worked for years were also starting to feel different on my skin, and what I was using kind of stopped doing what I needed it to do: remove everything thoroughly without leaving my skin feeling tight, dry, and stripped of the very things it was already struggling to hold onto.

By that time I was already using our beloved Glow in a Bottle Face Oil with great results so it was a natural progression to explore and experiment with oil-based cleansers - and ultimately, to make our own. 

Radiance Reveal Cleansing Balm with all its buttery goodness, gorgeous aromatherapy natural scent and sunshine happy yellow colour was born - and very quickly became a staple in many bathroom cabinets. 

Fast-forward to today, my skin continues to change - all very natural and normal. 

I am now in my fifties. The shifts that started in my late thirties and accelerated through my fourties feel more obvious -  my skin is getting drier, sometimes more reactive, and overall showing more signs of ageing.  

Radiance Reveal Cleansing Balm is still the only cleanser I use.

Most mornings, and every evening. Every single day.

I test formulations constantly for texture - but also very often to check myself and whether we're missing anything. 

I have tried beautiful, expensive, highly acclaimed cleansers from brands I genuinely respect - lots of options across different price points.

But I always come back to our Radiance Reveal very quickly, because nothing else leaves my skin feeling the way this does.

And I'm not the only one.

Some of our customers are now heading towards their 30th + jar.

As every business owner and brand founder would know - when someone reorders the same product up to thirty times, it tells you something no marketing campaign ever could.  And that means the world. 

More Than a Cleansing Balm: The "Bliss in a Jar" and "Spa in a Jar" Effect

When I set out to create Radiance Reveal, I was focused on efficacy. This is always number one, because if a product doesn't do its job it doesn't matter how good it looks or smells. 

I wanted 

• a buttery soft formula that would dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and daily grime without disrupting the lipid barrier. 
• a handpicked combination of plant oils that would feed the skin while cleansing it.
• a formula that rinses clean with no residue and no dryness.

What I did not fully anticipate was something else - something less tangible; the emotional response.

I'll never forget when an Instagram friend (and customer) messaged me to say that she felt the balm was like her "mental health in a jar".  

So much of skincare is purely functional, and many really don't care about what products look like or smell like.  This is kind of how I feel about more 'active' products like serums and retinoids and exfoliants for example - I only want it to do the job.  If it smells nice it's a bonus. 

But something about cleansing is different for me.  It's a step that takes longer - especially when you add some face massage time it can take several minutes. For that I love something with more colour, something more sensory and just plain lovely to use. 

Granted - nog everyone loves smell (which is hugely subjective at the best of times) - and not everyone wants to, or can tolerate the inclusion of a few essential oils in a product. 

But for our cleansing balm I felt it was important to at least have some aspect of that - I just didn't realise how important that side of the product would become. 

I've been told on several occasions that the smell was 'additctive' and that we could simply never stop making it. 

This makes me smile because I also can't imagine not having my daily Radiance Reveal ritual.

When the Beauty Bible independently tested the balm in 2023 (more on that shortly), one of their testers wrote something that made my heart jump a little.  

She described it as "a little jar of bliss" and said it was "love at first scoop." She wrote about cupping her face for "the sheer joy of the (neroli) scent" and feeling "the day ebbing away with every movement."

It wasn't the first time I heard someone describing the balm in those lovely kinds of ways.

But that wasn't the language of someone just reviewing a cleanser. I thought of it as someone describing a ritual - not something to just rush through to get it done. 

And that word, ritual, comes up constantly. In our reviews, women talk about looking forward to cleansing. About it being the moment in their day where they slow down, take a breath, and do something that feels genuinely good.

One customer wrote that what used to be a chore had become "a pleasure." Another called it "pure joy for your skin and senses."

I think this matters far more than I originally gave it credit for.

When your skin is changing and everything feels uncertain, having one consistent, reliable, beautiful thing in your routine, something that works and that you actually look forward to, is quietly grounding and powerful, not matter how small. 

It is the difference between a routine, or a 'chore' you just want to get done and a ritual you love and look forward to. 

Saying all of that - if you just want to get it done and not really bother with massaging and taking your time - Radiance Reveal still shines; it works quickly and effectively and rinses clean.  When I've had a long day and I'm super tired, or it's late I also just want it to be as quick as possible. 

 

 

Why Your Cleansing Routine Matters Even More Over 40 (Especially During Perimenopause and Menopause Skin Changes)

Before I talk about what is in the jar, I want to explain why I believe cleansing is often the most underestimated step in any skincare routine, and why it becomes even more important as skin changes.

Your skin's outermost layer functions like a wall. The skin cells are the bricks. The lipids between them, ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, are the mortar. This is your lipid barrier, and its job is to keep moisture locked in and irritants locked out.

As oestrogen levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, the production of these lipids slows. The mortar thins. Moisture escapes more easily (a process called Trans-Epidermal Water Loss), and environmental stressors find it easier to get through.

This is why skin can feel drier, look duller, and become more reactive even when you have not changed anything in your routine (textbook description of what has been happening to my own skin) 

For a detailed look at how this works and what to do about it, read our full guide: 

How to Repair and Protect Your Skin's Lipid Barrier.

Here is where cleansing becomes critical. Many cleansers, especially foaming and gel formulas that leave skin feeling "squeaky clean," are actively stripping away the lipids your skin is already struggling to produce. That tight feeling after washing is not cleanliness. It is your barrier being compromised.

(Using scrubs and harsh exfoliants also becomes something to look out for, but we'll leave that for another day.) 

When your barrier is already under pressure from hormonal shifts, the last thing you want is a cleanser that accelerates the damage. And when your barrier is compromised, nothing you apply afterwards, no serum, no retinoid, no moisturiser, can perform at its best, because the foundation is not there.

This is why I believe the right cleanser is not just the first step in your routine. It is the step that determines how well everything else works.

Even if you don't like or prefer an oil-based cleanser like a cleansing balm or oil, I would encourage you to look into more gentle ways of cleansing if your skin is starting to feel a bit reactive or dried out afterwards. Cleansing milks and creams may be a good option too. 

What Makes a Nourishing Cleansing Balm: Every Ingredient and Why It Earns Its Place

Every ingredient in Radiance Reveal is there for a reason, and together they deliver something that goes well beyond simple cleansing.

Here is the full picture.

The Plant Oil Blend: Supporting Your Lipid Barrier While You Cleanse

The heart of the formula is a blend of plant oils chosen for their fatty acid profiles, specifically their ability to deliver omega 3, 6, 7, and 9 fatty acids.

These are the same types of fatty acids that make up the lipid mortar in your skin barrier. So while the balm is dissolving your makeup and SPF, it is simultaneously replenishing the building blocks your skin needs to stay strong and hydrated.

Grapeseed Oil (Vitis Vinifera) forms the base. It is lightweight, nutrient-dense, and rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and proanthocyanidins, that help protect against free radical damage. It absorbs easily without feeling heavy, which is why the finished balm never feels greasy despite being oil-based.

Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil (Hippophae Rhamnoides) is genuinely exceptional. It is one of very few plant oils that naturally contains all four omegas (3, 6, 7, and 9), making it a powerhouse for calming inflammation and supporting barrier repair. Ours is organic. The rich, golden colour of the balm comes partly from this oil, which is naturally deep orange due to its high beta-carotene content.

Kalahari Melon Seed Oil (Citrullus Lanatus) has a story I love. It is harvested from wild watermelons in the Kalahari Desert, with the seeds processed on site by local communities, the by-product feeding farm animals in a zero-waste circular process. Rich in omega 6 (linoleic acid), it helps maintain the skin's moisture barrier and has a beautifully light texture.  It's also close to my heart because I grew up not too far from the Kalahari dessert and only a couple of hours away from on the largest Kalahari Melon suppliers in the beauty industry. 

Marula Seed Oil (Sclerocarya Birrea) is another Southern African treasure, rich in oleic acid (omega 9) and antioxidants. It absorbs quickly and helps protect against oxidative environmental damage.

Borage Seed Oil (Borago Officinalis) is one of the richest plant sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega 6 fatty acid that may help support skin prone to dryness, sensitivity, and inflammation. This is particularly relevant for skin experiencing hormonal shifts.

Camellia Seed Oil (Camellia Oleifera) has been used for centuries in Japanese beauty. It is rich in oleic acid and naturally contains vitamins A, B, and E. It has a beautiful affinity with skin, absorbing smoothly and leaving a subtle softness.

Cacay Seed Oil (Caryodendron Orinocense) is a relative newcomer to Western skincare but has been used for generations in South America. It is exceptionally rich in retinol (natural vitamin A), vitamin E, and linoleic acid. It supports cell turnover and skin elasticity without the irritation that synthetic retinoids can sometimes cause on sensitive skin.

Moringa Seed Oil (Moringa Oleifera) is a revitalising oil packed with nutrients that can help lift dullness and restore a healthier, more vibrant look. It is especially helpful when skin has taken on that greyish, tired quality that many women notice as their skin changes.

Rice Bran Oil (Oryza Sativa) contains a unique compound called gamma oryzanol, an antioxidant that may help protect against UV-related damage. It also contains ferulic acid and vitamin E, adding another layer of antioxidant support.

Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis) is gentle, emollient, and rich in vitamin E. It helps soften and condition the skin during the cleansing process.

Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus Annuus) is high in linoleic acid and vitamin E, supporting the barrier without clogging pores.

Vitamin E (Tocopherol) serves a dual purpose: it is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin, and it also helps preserve the integrity of the plant oils in the formula, keeping them stable and effective.

The Cleansing Balm Structure

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (derived from coconut) is a lightweight emollient that helps the oils spread evenly and gives the balm its smooth, melt-on-contact texture.

Candelilla Wax (Euphorbia Cerifera) is a plant-based wax that gives the balm its solid form in the jar. It is the reason the balm feels firm when you first scoop it, and then melts beautifully the moment it touches warm skin.  We use Candelilla wax instead of Beeswax to give our vegan customers the option to use the balm.

Sorbitan Stearate and PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides are the gentle emulsifiers that allow the balm-to-milk transformation. When you add water, these are the ingredients that enable the oils to emulsify, breaking down dissolved makeup and impurities so everything rinses away cleanly with no residue left behind.

The Scent (and Why It Is Not "Just" Fragrance)

There is no synthetic fragrance in Radiance Reveal. The scent comes entirely from the unique ratio of three essential oils:

Rose Geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens) has a beautiful floral warmth. It is also known for its balancing properties on the skin.

Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin) adds depth and an earthy, grounding quality. It has natural soothing and conditioning properties.

Neroli (Citrus Aurantium Amara) is the note most people notice first. Distilled from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, it is calming and has long been used in aromatherapy for its relaxing effect. This is the oil that Beauty Bible testers described as making them want to "cup their face for the sheer joy" of the scent.

Together, these three oils create the signature scent that runs through Radiance Reveal and our Glow in a Bottle Face Oil.

It is worth noting that because we use natural essential oils, there can be very slight variations in exact scent between batches depending on harvests, but the core character is always the same.

The naturally occurring compounds listed at the end of the INCI (Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Farnesol) are not added separately. They are components naturally present within these essential oils and are listed for transparency, as required by cosmetic regulation.

What Women Over 40 Are Saying About Ané Radiance Reveal Cleansing Balm

I have read every review this product has ever received, and what strikes me is how consistent the themes are, whether the feedback comes from our own customers or from the independent Beauty Bible testing panel.

The same things come up again and again - here is a small snapshot of what we hear - 

On the experience itself

One Beauty Bible tester described the balm as "a little jar of bliss" and wrote about the neroli scent making her feel "the day ebbing away with every movement." Our own customers echo this: "The scent is heavenly," "pure joy for your skin and senses," "turns a necessary chore into a pleasure." Women consistently describe looking forward to this step in their routine, which is not something you often hear about a cleanser.

On how skin feels afterwards

"My skin felt soft and surprisingly nourished after use with no tight or dry feeling at all," wrote one Beauty Bible tester. Customers say it "rinses away perfectly and leaves behind moist, happy, calm and perfectly clean skin" and that it is "rich yet it emulsifies easily and cleans really well leaving the skin super smooth and soft." The absence of tightness and dryness comes up over and over.

On makeup removal and sensitive eyes

Several testers and customers specifically mention waterproof mascara, gel liner, and SPF removal without stinging. One Beauty Bible tester who described herself as having "quite sensitive eyes" and being "always wary about new cleansers" said "this was great." A customer wrote: "My eyes tolerate it too, so no need for separate eye makeup remover." This is a question we get asked often, and the answer is yes, I use it to remove my own waterproof mascara and eyeliner every day.

On visible results

One Beauty Bible tester reported that her "mum and work colleagues commented that my skin was looking fresher." A customer wrote: "Within days my skin had got something about it, people say how well I looked." Another described buying it for her sister "who was longing to have something to bring her skin back to life" and said "this provided moisture and glow in equal measures."

On value and longevity

A Beauty Bible tester used it morning and night for three months and was "only about halfway through the tub," calling it "definitely value for money." One customer noted: "It's great value for money. Some of the products I have tried have been ridiculously expensive." At roughly three to four months per jar with twice-daily use, the cost per cleanse is remarkably low.

On Radiance Reveal being their favourite 

This is the one that moves me most. "After having tried many cleansing balms, this one beats them all."

"I've been using this balm for a few years now and whenever I run out and try others I always come back to this. Please never stop making this, Ané!"

"I HIGHLY recommend this balm and will never go back to any other cleanser!" One customer even bought a second jar for her studio to use on her clients.

A any brand owner knows, it is always wonderful to welcome new customers, but having repeat customers who make multiple purchases over the years just means the world.  

These aren't just marketing claims. It shows years of someone quietly, consistently, choosing the same product every single time. 

As I said earlier - some of our customers are now approaching their 30th jar. Personally I've long lost count of how many jars I've worked my way through over the years. 

The Beauty Bible Award (2023)

In 2023, Radiance Reveal was selected as a Beauty Bible Award winner.

For those unfamiliar, the Beauty Bible runs one of the UK's most respected independent product testing programmes.

Products are sent to panels of real women who use them over several weeks of daily use. There is no brand involvement in the testing process, no paid placement, and no influencer scripts. Just honest, detailed feedback from women using the product on their own skin, in their own homes, over an extended period.

The award meant a great deal to me, not because of the badge (although that is rather lovely), but because the testers independently described exactly the experience I had set out to create.

Nourishing rather than stripping. A texture that turns cleansing into something worth slowing down for. A scent that makes you pause. Effective removal of even stubborn makeup without irritation. Skin that looks and feels genuinely better over time.

When people who have no reason to be kind describe your product as "love at first scoop," it lands differently than any amount of self-promotion ever could.

How to Use a Cleansing Balm (Including the Mask Trick)

Step 1: Scoop a small amount with the wooden spatula onto dry fingertips. The balm will feel firm. This is normal. It melts the moment it touches warm skin.

Step 2: Massage gently over dry skin for 30 to 60 seconds. Work it across your face, neck, and around your eyes. This is where the plant oils dissolve makeup, sunscreen, excess oil, and daily impurities.

Step 3: Add a splash of lukewarm water. Watch the balm transform into a smooth, milky emulsion. This is the emulsifiers doing their job, breaking down everything the oils have dissolved so it can rinse away cleanly.

Step 4: Remove with the included double-sided face cloth. Use the soft microfibre side for a gentle wipe-clean, or flip to the textured muslin side for light exfoliation when your skin needs it.

The mask trick: Two to three times a week, leave the balm on for five to ten minutes before rinsing. It doubles as a nourishing mask, giving your skin an extended dose of those omega fatty acids and antioxidants. This is one of the tips our customers love most.

What Is in the Radiance Reveal Cleansing Balm Box

Each jar comes with a wooden spatula for application (or you can just use a clean finger to scoop out a fingertip size) and a travel-size double-sided face cloth (soft microfibre on one side, textured muslin on the other). Everything you need is in the box from day one.

110ml jar | Plant-based | Vegan | No synthetic fragrance | Made in the UK exclusively for Ané

Five+ Years Later: Still the Best Cleansing Balm I Have Ever Used

I started this blog by telling you that I formulated this balm over five plus years ago because my skin was changing and I knew I needed something different. 

Five years on, my skin has continued to change.

It will keep changing - that is what skin does.

But our Radiance Reveal Cleansing Balm has remained one of the most consistent, reliable parts of my daily life.

Not just my routine, my life. It is the first thing I reach for most mornings and the last thing I use at night. It is the step that makes everything else work better and by far my most used product.

And, after all this time it is still the part of my routine I look forward to most.

If your skin is changing and you are wondering where to start, start here.

Not because it is our product, but because the right cleanser, one that supports your barrier instead of stripping it, changes everything that follows.

I hope you love it as much as I do.

 

SHOP Radiance Reveal Cleansing Balm >

 

Related reading:

How to Repair and Protect Your Skin's Lipid Barrier

 Skincare Regrets and Lessons: Everything I Wish I'd Done Sooner