Why I Love Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser: Review
Welcome to my honest review of Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser. As always with The Glazed, I purchased this product myself and will give a truthful lowdown on its performance.
In brief
The pros
- It’s gentle
- Removes longwear concealer and SPF
- The price!
The cons
- Plastic packaging
My score
8.5/10
Read on for a full review and everything you need to know about this jelly cleanser.
The Byoma Brand
Launched in 2022, Byoma is one of the newer skincare brands on the market. With its colorful plastic packaging and affordable price point, it quickly gained notoriety, especially with the younger Gen Z consumers thanks to TikTok.
Now, available in Sephora and Space NK, it is even more accessible and has caught the attention of skincare fans around the globe. The product range centres around hydration, with hyaluronic serums, nourishing oils, and creamy cleansers on offer; this fits with the brand’s self-proclaimed “healthy skin barrier focus”, with a belief that balanced skin will look and feel healthy and bright.
So is this brand an eye-catching, teen fad? I’m here to reveal quite the opposite. I went into this review very open-minded but with low expectations. The Creamy Jelly Cleanser was the first of the Byoma products I tried, but I’ve since expanded my collection and added 3 more to my skincare stash. Far from being a teenage TikTok craze, these products are actually fantastic for the money, and just what more mature skin is crying out for. After all, we’re the ones hammering our complexion with retinol, acids and treatments, we need skin barrier repair more than teens.
My Skin Type and Goals
I’m moving into my late 30s and my skin is dry due to Tretinoin use. I’m constantly in a cycle of using Tret and trying to rehydrate my skin afterwards.
Therefore I need a gentle cleanser that leaves my skin comfortable, rather than stripped and tight. I do a double cleanse routine if I’ve worn makeup or all-day sunscreen, but generally, I just use one-step face wash each morning and evening.
What They Say
This ultra-hydrating jelly cleanser gently and effectively breaks down dirt and excess oil without breaking down your skin barrier.
Infused with our barrier boosting Tri-Ceramide Complex (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids) plus antioxidant-rich liquorice root and green tea extracts to help hydrate and nourish skin.
The lightweight, pH balanced formula transforms into a rich, creamy lather upon contact with warm water to cleanse without stripping skin of moisture or leaving a tight, dry feeling. Universally effective for all skin types, both morning and night.
Dermatologist tested and approved, soap-free, non-comedogenic, alcohol and fragrance-free, vegan and cruelty free.
The Key Ingredients
The brand breaks down the ingredients list on its website (nice and transparent) and highlights a few hero ingredients such as Tri-Ceremide Complexes, antioxidant-rich licorice root extract and green tea extract – they explain this is a unique blend of barrier boosters.
Carrier: Water
Cleansing Agent: Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Decyl Glucoside
Surfactant: Cocamide Methyl MEA, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin
Viscosity Controller: Sodium Chloride
Humectant: Propylene Glycol, Glycerin
Skin-Conditioner: Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Allantoin
Emollient: Oleic Acid
PH Adjuster: Lactic Acid
Antioxident: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate,
Preservative: Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
The price
Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser will set you back a very reasonable $12.99.
I have, in my time, paid up to $64 for a cleanser (I know, I blame that on covid shopping) but now I’ve come to the conclusion that face wash is an everyday essential that should be cheap and cheerful. At the end of the day, you are washing this product off your face, so it’s not wise, or necessary, to spend too much on this part of the routine.
Byoma’s price point ticks the value box.
First impressions
In true Byoma fashion, the packaging is bright and very teenage. I’m not averse to this, it’s fun for sure but no one is going to mistake this for a luxury product. It doesn’t feel great to have so much plastic in the bathroom cabinet, but after some digging, it appears that it’s fully recyclable “mono-plastic” so the environmental impact has been considered.
The airless pump dispenses a small amount of product, and the formula is fairly thick and jelly-ish as expected. The pump makes it easy to get the right amount to wash your face – 1-2 pumps were perfect for me. The cleanser has a stark, soapy smell, almost identical to the Drunk Elephant Beste Jelly Cleanser, however, the texture is much thicker than Drunk Elephant which I prefer.
performance
You’re advised to use the cleanser on damp skin and apply it in slow circular motions. When the product comes in contact with the water the formula transforms into a light foam – I’m guessing this is where the “creamy’ in the name comes from. Having this milky texture makes it feel more nourishing than a traditional gel wash, and it’s pleasant to use.
I take this cleanser right up under my eyes and it successfully removes concealer without irritating the delicate eye area. As I mentioned in my previous Drunk Elephant Beste Gel Cleanser review, I don’t personally like using wash off cleanser on my eyelids and lashes, so I can’t say how it would perform removing eye makeup.
It rinses away clean and leaves my skin feeling fresh, comfortable and balanced. My skin appears clean but the dryness is not exasperated at all.
I am happy using this as a one-step cleanser, but if you are a double cleanser obsessive you will enjoy using it as a second step after your deep cleanse balm.
Final Thoughts
This really is a great cleanser that’s good value for money. For me, this is streets ahead of Drunk Elephant Beste Jelly Cleanser and it’s half the price!
It is ideal for mature skin (despite the packaging) and will suit dry skin and sensitive skin types.
Trying this Byoma cleanser has made me wish I explored the brand sooner. After buying this cleanser I went back for Byoma Hydrating Serum, Depuff and Brighten Eye Gel, and Moisturizing Rich Cream, and I’m happy to report they are very decent products (mini reviews below!). My skin is feeling a lot more nourished after changing my skincare routine to Byoma. At this price point, you really can’t go wrong. It’s not much more than The Ordinary and Inkey List but I feel the formulas are on a different level when it comes to user experience and efficiency.
As I age, my approach to skincare has changed. I use prescription retinol so I’m not fussed about adding other actives into my daily routine- simple, hydrating and good value products do the job. The money I save on products will be spent on more heavy-duty treatments. It’s time to get real, an off-the-shelf vitamin C isn’t going to remove these dark spots; for me, it’s best to save my cash for laser, or something at the clinic.
So Byoma fits perfectly into this plan – watch my bathroom transform into a tween dream with all the colored bottles!
Let me know if you’re interested in any other Byoma reviews, I’m happy to oblige.
other byoma products i rate
Byoma Hydrating Serum
A silky, milky serum that absorbs straight into the skin to leave your complexion glowy and plump. I love to use it as a makeup primer or sandwiched as an extra layer of moisture in my evening routine.
Byoma Depuff & Brighten Eye Gel
This product has a light, fresh formula that feels cooling as you apply it. It feels fantastic on the skin and acts as a smoothing, hydrating prep for under-eye concealer. Love it.
Byoma Moisturizing Rich Cream
A good basic moisturizer to use day or night. While it’s nothing revolutionary, it nourishes skin without causing breakouts and is a joy to use compared to other similar price point products like Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer.
You might also like to read my review on the best glowy foundation for mature skin.