Perfect Cleanse: NUDE Omega Cleansing Jelly Review

As you know from my previous post, I REALLY like a good cleansing balm, especially in the evening. I had managed to work through all of my back-up cleansers a couple weeks ago, and I decided to reward myself with this balmy beauty: the NUDE Perfect Cleanse Omega Cleansing Jelly ($38 for 100ml/ 3.4 fl oz), a gel-to-milk cleanser suitable for use around the eyes.
That last piece of information may seem very 'duh' to you, but you'd be surprised how many oil/balm cleansers perform poorly around the eye area, causing stinging, blurred vision or failing to remove any make-up. Even though the Omega Cleansing Jelly contains both problematic (for me) bitter orange extract and fragrance, it's mild enough not to cause any irritation around my eyes - yay!
I've actually opted to purchase this balm cleanser for several reasons. First, I really liked the sample I received a while back with a Sephora order (see, using up those samples sometimes really does end in happy discoveries), second, I was glad to see the product packaged in a soft squeezy tube as opposed to a fiddly pot with a screw-on lid, third, I like that the ingredients' list is so short and sweet. I could do without the added fragrance, but the slight fruity scent isn't too strong and makes for a more enjoyable experience, I guess. As for the omega acids claims, it's worth noting that all of your good, natural oil-based balms and other skincare products contain omega fatty acids - because all base/ plant oils contain omega acids, just in slightly different proportions. Sunflower oil, which is the main ingredient in the NUDE Omega Cleansing Jelly, is especially rich in Omega-6 and Omega-9.
I use the Omega Cleansing Jelly as my second cleanser on days I'm wearing make-up and/or sunscreen, after having removed those with a cleansing oil, or as my only night-time cleanser on days when I go barefaced. I start with a dry or slightly damp face (which you would have after having removed that first cleanser with a wash cloth), and work a small dollop around - it takes a little work for the balm to melt into more of an oil consistency, but I always spend a bit more time to do that second cleanse, so I don't mind.
Now, the Nude Cleansing Jelly is a bit different than some popular cleansing balms in that it actually emulsifies, thanks to the addition of sucrose palmitate and sucrose laurate in the formulation - meaning, turns into a milk when a bit of water is added. Many folks prefer emulsifying balms/ oils as they're a bit easier to remove, especially if you're just rinsing with water. I always use a wash cloth anyway, so it doesn't really matter to me either way, but I think if you're a balm cleanser neub, the Cleansing Jelly could be a good option for you. In that way, I find it quite similar to the famous Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm (click!), except with a slightly firmer texture, and obviously much cheaper and easier to get hold of in the US.

All in all, I really like this Omega Cleansing Jelly, and I've been enjoying reaching for it every evening. I don't know if it's the best cleansing balm I've ever tried (well, I'd be hard pressed to choose just one), but it's definitely up there with my other favorites. It doesn't irritate or strip my skin, gets rid of residual make-up, and feels luxurious on the face. If you've been on the fence about it or have been looking for a new oil/balm/milk cleanser, I'd say give it a shot; the price is a bit up there, but you really don't need a lot, so it should last a while. What is your favorite night-time cleanser? Have you tried any other products from NUDE?