VerdictAI
#3 in Best Oil-Based Cleansers & Balms

Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm, Makeup Remover, Cleansing Oil, Face Cleanser, Melts Makeup & Sunscreen, Non-Stripping Zero…

Then I Met You

Best for

Best balm (Banila Co Clean It Zero alternative)

Amazon rating

★★★★★4.6(592)

Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score

Verdict scoreGreat
82/ 100

Based on 2 trusted sources

Current price

$39.00

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Updated May 18, 2026 · 1 min read

Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm, Makeup Remover, Cleansing Oil, Face Cleanser, Melts Makeup & Sunscreen, Non-Stripping Zero…

Sources behind this verdict

10 reviewers weighted by source trust

Methodology →

The consensus

What reviewers found

Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.

Across the reviewers we read, Then I Met You's Living Cleansing Balm is the most consistently praised premium balm in the category. A high-trust r/SkincareAddiction review-roundup thread calls it 'the best cleansing balm I've ever tried,' and a high-trust r/AsianBeauty thread is dedicated entirely to people searching for cheaper dupes, itself a strong consensus signal. Retailer reviews on thenimetyou.com and sokoglam.com echo the sorbet-soft texture, clean rinse, and ability to dissolve waterproof makeup.

What reviewers liked

  • High-trust r/SkincareAddiction consensus rates it among the best balms tested
  • Reviewers consistently describe a sorbet-soft texture that rinses without residue
  • Effective on waterproof makeup and sunscreen per multiple retailer reviews
  • Strong dupe-search demand in r/AsianBeauty signals genuine cult status

Where it falls short

  • Price near $40 is the dominant criticism across community threads
  • Used quickly relative to jar size per r/AsianBeauty users
  • Outlier Sephora review reports poor makeup-removal performance
  • Fragrance and 'fancy plant oils' criticized as not load-bearing by skeptics

Across the reviews

Synthesis · not our verdict

Across the reviewers we read, Then I Met You's Living Cleansing Balm is the most consistently praised premium balm in the category. A high-trust r/SkincareAddiction review-roundup thread calls it 'the best cleansing balm I've ever tried,' and a high-trust r/AsianBeauty thread is dedicated entirely to people searching for cheaper dupes, itself a strong consensus signal. Retailer reviews on thenimetyou.com and sokoglam.com echo the sorbet-soft texture, clean rinse, and ability to dissolve waterproof makeup.

The disagreement is on value, not performance. A high-trust r/SkincareAddiction commenter argues no rinse-off product justifies a near-$40 price tag, and a Sephora retailer review reports it failed to remove light foundation and mascara, an outlier worth surfacing. The synthesis: reviewers who prioritize texture, scent, and a luxury-tier first-step ritual rate it as a category leader; reviewers focused on cost-per-ounce push back hard.

Key specs

Source: Amazon listing
Award-Winning, Melts Makeup Without Stripping Skin
Our award-winning sorbet-soft cleansing balm removes sunscreen, long-wear makeup, environmental pollutants, and excess oil effortlessly; it emulsifies with water and rinses clean without residue, prepping your skin for the second step of your routine
Plant-Based Oils That Support Skin Barrier Health
Formulated with grape seed, olive, and seaberry oils rich in fatty acids and antioxidants; these ingredients nourish and calm the skin while supporting long-term barrier integrity, leaving a light and hydrated finish.
Brightens, Balances, And Elevates Your Cleansing Ritual
This antioxidant-rich blend of vitamin E and persimmon helps illuminate dullness, even skin tone, and protect against environmental stress; paired with a sorbet-soft balm texture and subtle notes of rosemary and grapefruit, it transforms cleansing into a calming, sensorial experience.
FOR ALL SKIN TYPES, FROM SENSITIVE, DRY SKIN TO OILY, ACNE-PRONE SKIN: Our nourishing, non-stripping cleanser gently yet effectively cleanses skin of all oil-based impurities, and prevents pore-clogging, a major cause of acne, while working to reduce irritation and inflammation in skin; it starts as a balm and melts into a silky oil for a clean, comfortable finish.
Ethically Formulated For Conscious Skincare
This vegan, cruelty-free balm, winner of Allure Best of Beauty, Byrdie, and Soko Glam awards, is crafted without polyethylene, mineral oil, alcohol, silicones, parabens, synthetic fragrance, or artificial dyes, reflecting a clean beauty standard for balanced, healthy-looking skin.

What customers say

2 verified voices
No, no rinse off product is worth almost $40 in my opinion. It contains a bunch of fancy and obscure plant oils, but they don't stay on your ...
Trustedvia r/SkincareAddiction
It feels like such a treat. Smells and feels amazing, and rinses off perfectly without leaving a film or being stripping. Anyone who likes the ...
Supportingvia r/Sephora

Trust tier reflects our editorial assessment of the source, not the individual quote. Hover for the rationale. See how we tier sources →

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then i met you living cleansing balm” · trial + review

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