Long, long ago, I was pretty casual about my choice of facial cleansers. After all, cleansers just end up going right down the drain, right? Well, yes. But before they rinse away, they can have a powerful effect on the skin.
In my recent efforts to treat my skin more gently, I’ve been skipping cleansers in the morning (I just spritz on some rose hydrosol, then splash with warm water) and using milder cleaners in the evening. One thing I’ve tried lately is Omorovicza’s Thermal Cleansing Balm, a product that “effectively cleanses skin without stripping, to leave it radiant, soft and silky-smooth.”
Omorovicza is based in Budapest, Hungary, the “city of healing springs.” Its skincare products are based on a system of “Mineral Cosmetology,” which claims to deliver beneficial minerals deeper into the skin than ever before, for antioxidant healing and defense against harmful elements. The products are also free of parabens, petrochemicals, silicones, synthetic color and fragrance, and many other questionable ingredients.
Thermal Cleansing Balm includes nutrient-rich Hungarian “Moor mud,” softening almond oil, jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, and other natural ingredients mixed with some synthetic lubricants and stabilizers. It’s packaged in a screw-top glass jar, and it has a charcoal-gray color and a thick, cream-gel consistency.
I found that I only needed to use a very small amount of the Thermal Cleansing Balm with each washing. I wet my face thoroughly, then applied a fingertip of the balm, spreading it carefully but completely around my face. It feels a bit gummy and turns slightly creamy-lathery on the face. It also happens to have a lovely (and natural!) orange blossom scent.
Removing Omorovicza’s Thermal Cleansing Balm is a bit tricky: using a cleansing cloth, as the company suggests, really is the best course of action. Once it’s off, and I follow up with a rinse of cool water, my skin does feel deeply cleansed (even when I’ve been wearing foundation) but not tight or stripped. Then I apply my usual evening serum and moisturizer, and the next morning my face seems softer and clearer than it did the day before.
In case you’re wondering how much this unique and skin-pampering item will cost, here’s the bad news: $102 for a 50 ml jar. Yes, I’m sorry to have to tell you that. I don’t know whether I’ll ever be able to spring for a full size product, but I really did enjoy my small sample, so I’ll be keeping my eye out for any special offers that might make the purchase a little easier.
Disclaimer: I received a tiny sample jar of this product from the Omorovicza counter at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC.
Images: first and second photos via Omorovicza website, third photo by Tinsel Creation.
TINSEL CREATION 
Honestly, having kept fairly close tabs on my skin for a year or two now, it seems that my facial cleanser has a much greater effect on the day-to-day health of my skin than the moisturizer I use.
This stuff sounds great. But waaay out of my budget.
The choice of cleanser, or the choice *not* to use a cleanser at certain times, is really more important than I ever realized before this year!
That price hurts but I’ve spent so much money on cheaper products and not been happy with them. I’m starting to think that if I find something that truly works for me and does what its supposed to do better than other things I’ve tried maybe I could justify the cost. It makes even more sense if you notice a change in your skin. I have a boatload of products that are just okay. If I could pare things down to a handful of things that really work well I’d be happy. It is pricey but if you only use a little bit how long would the jar last? Wow, I really sound like an enabler don’t I? Maybe you’re right. That’s a lot of money for a cleanser.
That’s pretty much my internal monologue, Poodle…! I’m really happy with my current moisturizer and serum (both from Sunday Riley) and my usual cleanser (Victoria Eggwhite Soap), although I wouldn’t mind using this stuff once or twice as week as a special treat!