Learn how to make a rich and decadent DIY chocolate makeup melting cleansing balm with this guest post from Kim and Kyla of A Life Adjacent. This natural DIY cleansing balm contains a natural emulsifier that effortlessly dissolves even the most stubborn makeup, while cocoa butter and exotic bacuri butter deeply nourish your skin. Your face will be left clean and soft while you enjoy the subtle aroma of deep, dark chocolate.
When it comes to makeup removing products, there is a truly overwhelming number of options. Between the vast selection of cleansing oils, cleansing creams, makeup wipes and micellar waters, it can be difficult to choose the right product for your skin.
We believe it’s ideal to switch your skin care products with the seasons, and that also includes your choice of makeup remover. For instance, we prefer using our DIY micellar water during the summer, as it has a light and cooling skin feel that’s perfect for offsetting the heat.
However, when the temperatures fall, we gravitate towards textures that feel a little more nourishing. This makes fall or winter the perfect time to switch to a cleansing balm — or better yet, a chocolate cleansing balm.
This DIY chocolate cleansing balm has a luxurious, velvety feel that’s reminiscent of warm chocolate fudge. And thanks to the addition of cocoa butter and cocoa absolute, it smells just like dark chocolate, too.
Our DIY vanilla cleansing balm here is our go-to cleansing balm, but this chocolate cleansing balm has quickly become our new favorite!
Before we get into the recipe, let’s take a look at why cleansing balms are so good for your skin.
Why use a cleansing balm?
Between the many options for makeup removal, a makeup melting cleansing balm is the most nourishing of them all. Not only is the rich, creamy texture of a balm perfect for emulsifying even the most stubborn waterproof makeup, but it also helps mitigate the inevitable skin dryness that comes with fall and winter weather.
Not only that, but cleansing balms are gentle. Since like dissolves like, cleansing balms are able to melt away oil and makeup effortlessly without disturbing the skin’s delicate balance. Many people are simply too rough with their skin, using abrasive scrubs and astringents that can do more harm than good.
A feeling of tightness or dryness after cleansing shouldn’t be confused with cleanliness. If your face feels tight after washing, it’s likely that your skin’s acid mantle has been disrupted. Disturbing this protective barrier raises the pH of your skin, making it too alkaline.
Our skin prefers to be slightly acidic, so a pH that is too alkaline not only leaves your complexion vulnerable to dryness, but it also makes issues such as acne and dermatitis more likely.
By creating a buffer between your skin and your cleanser, cleansing balms help protect your acid mantle and prevent your skin from being over-cleansed. Instead of feeling dry and stripped after washing, your skin will be left feeling soft and hydrated.
Benefits of bacuri butter for skin.
We created this DIY cleansing balm recipe after reading Rebecca’s post on bacuri butter body balm. We knew we had to get our hands on some bacuri butter after she called it the most magical of all beauty butters!
Exotic bacuri butter hails from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest and is a highly versatile butter. It has a wonderful skin feel that is intensely smooth and emollient, making it a perfect ingredient for a DIY cleansing balm.
Rather than sitting on the surface of the skin, bacuri butter sinks in readily, leaving the skin feeling like silk. Its texture is so luxurious that we might even prefer it to shea butter.
Bacuri butter’s stellar nutritional profile is another aspect of what sets it apart. It’s incredibly rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that promote skin health. As well, it contains the important sulphur-containing amino acid methionine. Sulphur is one of the main building blocks of healthy skin, which means bacuri butter is particularly beautifying.
Bacuri butter smells very earthy in its raw form, and its deep color and rich texture immediately reminded us of chocolate fudge. For all these reasons, using bacuri butter as the base of a chocolate cleansing balm was an obvious choice.
DIY chocolate cleansing balm ingredients.
In addition to bacuri butter, cocoa butter and cocoa absolute, this DIY cleansing balm recipe also contains:
Macadamia oil
Macadamia oil has a an impressive fatty acid profile. It’s rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and low in polyunsaturated fatty acids, making it much more heat stable than other nut oils.
It’s important to use heat stable lipids when formulating a cleansing balm, as the hot water used to wash your face will oxidize unstable oils. There has been some debate, but some research has suggested that using oxidized oils on your skin can accelerate aging.
Olivem 1000
This cleansing balm’s secret ingredient is Olivem 1000, a natural olive-derived emulsifier. Olivem 1000 is what makes this balm able to effortlessly emulsify and cut through makeup, sunscreen, and sebum.
Due to Olivem 1000’s viscous texture, it’s best to remove the cleansing balm using a hot washcloth before following it up with your usual cleanser.
DIY Chocolate Cleansing Balm Recipe with Bacuri Butter
Ingredients:
1/4 cup/54.5 g bacuri butter
1/4 cup/54.5 g cocoa butter
2 tbsp/26.7 g macadamia oil
1 tsp/4.8 g Olivem 1000
5-10 drops cocoa absolute
Supplies:
Double boiler
Whisk
Glass jar or stainless steel container for storage
Instructions:
Begin by melting the bacuri butter and cocoa butter in a double boiler (or makeshift double boiler) on medium heat. Whisk frequently to break any lumps.
Add the Olivem 1000 and whisk until combined. Once the Olivem 1000 has been completely incorporated, remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes.
Turn the heat to low and add the cocoa absolute, if desired. Leave it to infuse for at least 10 minutes, whisking frequently. Note: cocoa absolute is not soluble in oil, so it will not dissolve completely into the mixture. Allowing it to infuse ensures that its aroma will permeate the balm.
Once the cocoa absolute has infused, remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool once again for 5-10 minutes, but do not allow it to solidify. Once cooled, add the macadamia oil and whisk again to combine.
Pour your cleansing balm into a glass or stainless steel container of your choice. Place in the refrigerator to set for at least an hour. After it sets, your balm can be kept at room temperature.
Chocolate Cleansing Balm Recipe Notes:
The cocoa absolute is an optional ingredient. The cocoa butter alone will give the cleansing balm a lovely chocolate scent; but if desired, the cocoa absolute will provide an even more potent dark chocolate aroma. Please be aware that since cocoa absolute can be a sensitizing ingredient, we recommend omitting it if you have sensitive skin.
How to use this DIY chocolate makeup melting cleansing balm.
To use your DIY chocolate cleansing balm, massage a generous amount into dry skin and allow it to emulsify your makeup. Then, soak a dark colored washcloth in hot (but not too hot) water and drape it over your face to open your pores. (We recommend using a dark colored washcloth since bacuri butter has the tendency to stain lighter fabrics.)
Gently glide the cloth over your skin to remove the balm, taking care not to tug, especially around the delicate eye area. Your skin should feel clean at this point, but you can follow it up with your usual face cleanser to remove all traces of makeup. As always, a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser is preferable.
If using the oil cleansing method, you can repeat this process until your skin feels completely clean of makeup, omitting the cleanser.
If you prefer not to use a washcloth, you can also use wet cotton pads to remove the balm. We recommend high-quality, unbleached organic cotton pads whenever possible.
Who is this DIY chocolate cleansing balm suited for?
Due to the composition of this cleansing balm, it’s best suited to normal, dry, or mature skin types that require a lot of moisture. This recipe may also work for oily skin types, but only when not accompanied by acne. Bacuri butter, cocoa butter and especially macadamia oil are all very high in oleic acid, which can exacerbate both regular and fungal acne.
If you enjoyed this DIY chocolate cleansing balm recipe, then you might also like our DIY vanilla cleansing balm, our DIY micellar water with witch hazel, and our other DIY beauty recipes on our site A Life Adjacent. For even more natural beauty ideas, follow us on Pinterest. You can also find us on Instagram.
