The best natural cleansing balm: Do you need to double cleanse?

Cleansing is the very first step in any skincare ritual, a moment to pause, reset, and prepare your skin for the nourishing treatments that follow. For midlife and mature skin, this step is especially important: it should remove impurities, makeup, and environmental stressors without stripping the skin of its natural moisture or comfort.

In recent years, the idea of the double cleanse, using an oil-based or balm cleanser first, followed by a water-based cleanser, has become increasingly popular. Yet with the right natural, thoughtfully formulated product, a single cleanse can be both highly effective and beautifully simple.

So, if you’re wondering whether you really need to double cleanse, the answer may be more nuanced than you think. A carefully crafted botanical cleansing balm can gently dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and daily impurities in one step, leaving the skin clean, balanced, and comfortably nourished.

The Thirns Cleansing Balm with Rosehip and Juniper is a luxurious, natural cleansing balm that melts effortlessly into the skin, lifting away makeup, sunscreen, and daily pollutants in one gentle, sensory-rich step. As it glides across the skin, it nourishes, softens, and even removes stubborn makeup, leaving the complexion calm, comfortable, and perfectly primed to absorb the full benefits of your skincare. For many midlife skin types, it’s so effective that only one cleanse is needed, making this the ultimate first step in a mindful, botanical ritual.

Why use a natural cleansing balm like Thirns?

Gentle, plant-based cleansing

Midlife and mature skin can be more delicate and sensitive. Many conventional cleansers contain harsh surfactants that strip natural oils, leaving skin tight or irritated. A natural cleansing balm, made from botanical oils and hydrolats, cleans effectively while preserving the skin barrier and moisture levels. Our natural cleansing balm uses botanical ingredients like rosehip and juniper oils, chosen for their ability to nourish, hydrate, and support skin resilience.

Removing impurities without irritation

From environmental pollutants to daily makeup, skin accumulates impurities that can lead to dullness, congestion, or sensitivity. A natural cleansing balm dissolves these impurities while keeping the skin calm and balanced, a particularly important consideration for more mature skin that may be more reactive.

Supporting midlife and mature skin

As the skin ages, natural oil production decreases, which can make traditional cleansers feel harsh or drying. These changes are often linked to hormonal shifts in midlife, which we explore in more detail in our guide to menopause skincare. A natural cleansing balm works with the skin, replenishing fatty acids while cleansing, which helps maintain elasticity, hydration, and comfort.

The double cleanse trend

Double cleansing involves using an oil or balm cleanser first to remove makeup, sunscreen, and surface grime, then following with a water-based cleanser to remove residual impurities. It’s especially popular at night to ensure skin is thoroughly clean.

• Pros: Removes stubborn makeup, sunscreen, and pollutants.

• Cons: Can be time-consuming, potentially drying, and may disrupt the skin barrier if not done carefully.

For many midlife and mature skin types, double cleansing can sometimes be excessive, particularly if the first cleanse is already gentle and effective.

It’s why skincare expert and Thirns founder Olga Brennand created the Thirns Cleansing Balm, a single-step, plant-based formula designed to melt away impurities, nourish the skin, and support the delicate barrier of midlife and mature skin. With just one cleanse, your skin feels soft, balanced, and perfectly primed for the next step in your skincare ritual, making it an effortless yet luxurious way to care for your complexion.

Why the Thirns natural cleansing balm is enough on its own

Our natural cleansing balm has been crafted to be highly effective in a single step. Its botanical oils and hydrolats dissolve impurities, lift makeup, and leave skin feeling nourished rather than stripped. Furthermore, the gentle, silky texture of our hero Cleansing Balm transforms cleansing into a luxurious ritual, awakening the senses with subtle, calming botanical aromas.

Key benefits:

• Melts away makeup, sunscreen, and daily grime

• Maintains hydration and supports the skin barrier

• Gentle enough for sensitive or mature skin

• Enriched with plant-based antioxidants for overall skin health

• Made with 97% natural ingredients and advanced botanicals

For many users, this means there is no need to double cleanse, simplifying the routine while still achieving a thoroughly clean, comfortable, and radiant complexion.

How to use the Thirns cleansing balm for midlife skin

Cleansing with our spa-tested Cleansing Balm offers a moment of indulgence for both skin and senses. Designed for midlife and mature skin, it transforms cleansing into a soothing, mindful ritual that melts away impurities while nourishing and comforting the complexion. 

Follow these simple steps to enjoy the full benefits of the Thirns Cleansing Balm: 

1. Apply a small amount to dry skin and massage in gentle circular motions, focusing on areas with makeup or impurities.

2. Add a little water to emulsify, turning the balm into a silky milk that effortlessly lifts away debris. Take time to massage it in and enjoy the heavenly aroma. It’s a moment of sensorial luxury.

3. Rinse thoroughly with warm water or, ideally, remove with a warm muslin cloth.

4. Follow with our nourishing Thirns Firming Emulsion, our heavenly scented Energising Mist for optimal hydration, and our hydrating Eye Cream, all part of the spa-tested Thirns four-step ritual.

For makeup-heavy evenings, our cleansing balm can remove everything in one gentle step, no double cleanse needed.

Why natural ingredients matter in a cleansing balm 

The Thirns Cleansing Balm is crafted by hand from the finest plant-based, botanical ingredients, including vitamin rich rosehip to help boost collagen production, improve elasticity, and brighten the skin, and juniper to gently clarify. 

Our carefully formulated cleansing balm is free from palm oil, synthetic surfactants, and harsh chemicals and is handmade in small batches in Bath, UK. Each ingredient in our Cleansing Balm is designed to work in harmony with midlife and mature skin to cleanse, nourish, and support the skin barrier.

Choosing a natural cleansing balm, like Thirns, ensures:

• Fewer irritants for sensitive or reactive skin

• Support for hydration and elasticity

• A gentle, luxurious ritual that respects your skin

Why Thirns is the best natural cleansing balm for midlife skin

At Thirns our skincare is intentionally simple, using only the products your skin truly needs. Our hero Cleansing Balm with Rosehip and Juniper exemplifies this approach, with one beautifully effective product that provides deep cleansing, hydration, and nourishment. For midlife and mature skin, this means fewer steps, less irritation, and more time to enjoy a gentle, mindful skincare ritual. 

Natural cleansing balm and double cleansing: Frequently asked questions

What is a cleansing balm?

A cleansing balm is a cleanser with a rich, balm-like texture that melts into the skin to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, excess oil, and daily impurities. When water is added, the balm emulsifies into a milky texture that rinses away easily, leaving the skin clean, soft, and nourished. Cleansing balms are particularly beneficial for midlife and mature skin because they cleanse gently without stripping the skin’s natural moisture.

Is a cleansing balm better than a traditional cleanser?

For many skin types, especially midlife or mature skin, a cleansing balm can be a gentler alternative to traditional foaming cleansers. While some cleansers rely on surfactants that can leave the skin feeling tight or dry, cleansing balms use nourishing oils and botanical ingredients to dissolve impurities while supporting the skin barrier and maintaining hydration.

What is double cleansing?

Double cleansing is a skincare method that involves cleansing the skin twice. The first cleanse usually uses an oil or balm to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and surface impurities. The second cleanse typically uses a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining residue. This technique is often used in evening skincare routines to ensure the skin is thoroughly clean. However, for midlife and mature skin, it can be overly complex, leading to irritation and dryness. 

Do you always need to double cleanse?

Not always. Double cleansing can be helpful if you wear heavy makeup or sunscreen, but it may not be necessary for everyone. A well-formulated cleansing balm, like the Thirns Natural Cleansing Balm, can effectively remove impurities in a single step. For many midlife and mature skin types, a single gentle cleanse is often sufficient and can help avoid unnecessary disruption to the skin barrier.

Can a cleansing balm remove makeup?

Yes, cleansing balms are excellent at removing makeup, including foundation, mascara, and sunscreen. The cream-based formula helps dissolve makeup easily while nourishing the skin. When massaged onto dry skin and emulsified with water, our natural cleansing balm lifts away makeup and impurities without harsh rubbing or irritation.

Are cleansing balms suitable for mature skin?

Cleansing balms are particularly well suited to mature or midlife skin. As skin ages, natural oil production often decreases, which can make harsh cleansers feel drying or uncomfortable. A botanical cleansing balm like Thirns gently cleanses while replenishing moisture, helping skin feel soft, comfortable, and balanced.

Can you use a cleansing balm in the morning?

Yes, cleansing balms can be used both morning and evening. In the morning, a gentle cleanse helps remove overnight oils and prepares the skin for hydration and protection. In the evening, a cleansing balm is especially effective for removing makeup, sunscreen, and daily pollutants.

What ingredients should you look for in a natural cleansing balm?

The best natural cleansing balms often contain botanical oils and plant extracts rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. Ingredients such as rosehip, juniper, and bilberry can help nourish the skin, support the skin barrier, and maintain hydration while cleansing.

Is a cleansing balm good for sensitive skin?

Many cleansing balms are suitable for sensitive skin because they cleanse gently without harsh foaming agents. Plant-based oils and botanical ingredients can help calm and support the skin while effectively removing impurities.

How do you use a cleansing balm properly?

To use a cleansing balm, massage a small amount onto dry skin using gentle circular motions. Add a little water to emulsify the balm into a milky texture, then rinse thoroughly or remove with a warm cloth. This process dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and impurities while leaving the skin soft and nourished.