Banila Co Clean It Zero Review

Banila Co Clean It Zero is a cleansing balm that goes from sherbet-like to silky oil when applied to skin. It removes dirt, impurities and even the most stubborn waterproof make-up in one cleanse.

There are actually 4 kinds of Clean It Zero Cleansing Balms, each one focusing on a specific skin need:

Photo Source: Banila USA

What’s common is the balm’s ability to provide deep cleansing while leaving skin feeling fresh, plump and radiant. 

Also, its exclusive Zero Balance Technology is a “proprietary blend of actives that effectively cleanses skin deeply without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance.”

I have sensitive skin so I chose the Purifying formula. And this Banila Co Clean It Zero review is based on that specific variant.

What is Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm?

Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm is made of oil but solid in form. 

You scoop a small amount of product from the tub, massage it on your face, emulsify with a little bit of water, then rinse.

Cleansing balms and cleansing oils are usually used as the first step of a double cleansing routine. They break down and remove make-up, sunscreen and pollutants that gel or foam cleansers might miss, while keeping your skin soft and smooth. 

Banila Co Clean It Zero ingredients

The main ingredients of each Banila Co balm remains the same. And each tub is formulated without:

• Parabens 
• Sulfates 
• Phthalates
• Polyethylene
• Mineral oil 
• Alcohol 
• Artificial colours

Clean It Zero + Purifying has additional ingredients that help soothe and calm the skin like: 

Centella, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Asian Knotweed Extract, Chinese Liquorice Extract, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Chamomile Extract

Full ingredient list below (source):

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Water, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Malpighia Glabra (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Beta-Carotene, Polydiethyleneglycol Adipate/IPDI Copolymer, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/Methoxy PEG-15 Methacrylate Copolymer, Tocopherol

Other things to know about Clean It Zero Balm

• Packaging. This product comes in a 100-ml and 180-ml tub and comes with a plastic spatula.

• Is Banila Co Clean It Zero + Purifying fragrance free? This product is lightly scented. It’s a very pleasant smell though; reminds me of baby powder.

• Texture and Consistency. The texture is sherbet-like out of the tub but turns to oil upon contact with your skin.

How to use Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm

I use Clean It Zero as my first cleanser at night. I don’t use it every night though; only when I feel my skin needs an extra deep cleanse (e.g. when I’m wearing mascara or heavy foundation).

Using the provided spatula, I scoop a small amount of balm (about the size of an almond — a little goes a long way) and gently massage the product on my dry face. It turns to oil as soon as it touches my skin.

I then add a little water to emulsify the oil and do another round of gentle face massage. 

I rinse with water though you can also use face wipes and gently wipe the product off.

What I like about Banila Co Clean It Zero

• Texture. I like how this feels creamier and more luxurious than an oil cleanser. It’s incredibly spreadable too so a little goes a long way.

• Deep clean. You can just tell that this cleansing balm provides a deep, thorough clean. It’s an especially effective make-up remover. Make-up literally melts away easily.

What I don’t like about it

• Drying. My skin always feels tight after using this product, which is disappointing because the cleansing routine itself is very pleasant. My face also doesn’t feel as smooth and plump after, compared to when I use my regular cleansing oil.

• Irritating. Unfortunately, I also break out whenever I use this cleansing balm. I’ve recently discovered that I don’t react well to Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and this product has that.

Do I recommend Banila Co Clean It Zero?

In a rating scale of 1 to 5 — 5 being awesome — this product is a 1 for me.

It’s a good cleanser but a cleanser is not supposed to irritate your skin. 

And sure, my breakouts might be because I chose the wrong variant (the other Clean It Zero balms don’t have the ingredient I’m getting breakouts from) but the tightness and dryness…I’m afraid that might be true regardless of what variant I choose. It might be more suitable for oily skin?

So for now, I’m sticking to DHC Cleansing Oil as my first cleanser and if I need an occasional cleansing balm, I would most likely go with I’m From Fig Cleansing Balm.

JUNOCO Clean 10 Cleansing Balm is a great option as well.

Our skin types are different though and you might find yourself loving this balm, as so many others do. Especially if you don’t have issues with its ingredients (super important to check the ingredients of skin care products).

It’s available on Amazon if you want to give it a try (affiliate link) > Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm

As always, remember that every person’s skin and skin type is different so what might work for me might not work for you, and vice versa.

So before trying a new product, it pays to do a little bit of research first. Pay special attention to ingredients that you might have a reaction to.

And doing a patch-test is always a good idea. Unsure? Best to consult your dermatologist.

Happy skin experimenting! Remember to practice good skincare habits always.

Have you tried washing your face with balm cleansers? Did it work for you? Would love to hear from you in the comments section below!

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