Ella & Jo Cleansing Balm: How to Use & Ingredient Guide

Most cleansing balms either leave skin stripped or fail to budge waterproof mascara. The Ella & Jo Melt the Day Away Cleansing Balm sidesteps both traps: it turns stubborn foundation into a milky rinse and leaves skin soft rather than tight. Whether you’re a cleansing balm newbie or a double-cleansing devotee, this guide walks through exactly how to use it, what’s inside the jar, and how it fits into the bigger dupe conversation.

Key ingredient: Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil · Size: 100ml full size / 15ml mini · Price (full size): €29.00 (from ellaandjo.ie) · Texture: Balm-to-oil · Cruelty-free: Yes · Suitable for: All skin types, including mature

The pattern across eight specs is consistent: Ella & Jo leans into skin-nourishing oils rather than stripping surfactants, which explains the balm-to-oil texture.

The pattern: Every retailer emphasises makeup removal and skin comfort — this is a first-cleanser built for gentle efficacy, not exfoliation or acne treatment.

How to Use Ella and Jo Melt the Day Away Cleansing Balm

Step 1: Scoop a small amount

• Use a pea-sized amount (about the size of a 1p coin). Ella & Jo Blog

Step 2: Massage onto dry skin

• Apply on dry face and eye area. Massage for 30–60 seconds in circular motions. The balm transforms into oil as it warms. Ella & Jo

Step 3: Add water to emulsify

• Wet your fingers and continue massaging — the oil turns into a milky lotion that lifts makeup and dirt. Ella & Jo Blog

Step 4: Rinse with warm water

• Rinse thoroughly, or use a damp cloth to remove every trace. McCauley

Step 5: Follow with a second cleanser (optional)

• For heavy makeup or sunscreen, double-cleanse by following with a water-based cleanser. Ella & Jo Blog

Why this matters: Skipping the emulsification step is the number-one mistake new balm users make. Adding water turns a heavy balm into a rinse-friendly cleanser — without it, you’re left with a film.

Are Ella and Jo Products Good?

Ingredient quality

• Contains Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, Squalane, and Raspberry Seed Oil. Cloud 10 Beauty
• Vegan and cruelty-free formulation. Meaghers Pharmacy
• Listed as pregnancy-safe. Meaghers Pharmacy

User reviews summary

• Positive reviews on ellaandjo.ie and McCauley.ie highlight makeup removal and non-stripping feel.
• Boots Ireland describes it as “deeply cleansing” and effective on waterproof mascara. Boots Ireland

Price vs. performance

• Priced at €29.00 for 100ml — mid-range for a balm cleanser in the Irish market. Ella & Jo
• Comparable to brands like The Body Shop’s Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter (approx €22) but less than Charlotte Tilbury (€38).

The implication: For shoppers who prioritise natural oils and a cruelty-free stamp over brand prestige, Ella & Jo’s formula justifies the premium — but only if you’re not tempted by the £7 Aldi option.

What Is the Aldi Cleansing Balm a Dupe Of?

Aldi’s Lacura cleansing balm comparison

• Aldi’s Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser (approx £7) is often compared to Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cleansing Balm. Textures and results are similar at a fraction of the cost.
• Ella & Jo is not positioned as a dupe of either — it has a different oil blend and brand identity.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cleansing Balm

• Retails at around £38 / €44 for 100ml. Contains almond oil, eucalyptus oil, and Moringa oil.
• Aldi’s version is widely flagged as a “dupe” on social media and beauty forums.

Ella & Jo comparison

• Ella & Jo’s balm costs €29 — squarely between Aldi (€7) and Charlotte Tilbury (€44). Its ingredient list leans on Vitamin E and Jojoba, not the floral oils in Tilbury’s formula.
• It’s an alternative, not a dupe. The value lies in its own formulation, not in mimicking a luxury product.

What this means: Shoppers expecting a budget Tilbury copy might be disappointed by Ella & Jo’s higher price. But those after a well-formulated, Irish-made balm with transparent ingredients get a cleaner deal than either extreme.

Are You Supposed to Wash Your Face After Using Cleansing Balm?

Emulsification is key

• The balm emulsifies with water into a milky texture that rinses clean. Ella & Jo Blog
• Rinsing is mandatory — leaving residue can cause congestion.

Residue vs. clean feel

• For normal and dry skin, a slight moist feel after rinsing is normal and beneficial.
• For oily or acne-prone skin, any feeling of film means a second cleanse is needed. Ella & Jo Blog

Second cleanse recommendation

• The brand itself recommends double-cleansing for heavy makeup or SPF. Ella & Jo Blog
• A water-based cleanser (gel or foam) after the balm ensures all residue is gone.

The trade-off: Skipping the second cleanse saves time but risks breakouts for oilier skin types. The balm is designed as a first step, not a one-and-done.

The ingredient deck centres on moisturising oils and butters — no actives, no fragrance.

The pattern: No essential oils or alcohol — the formula stays gentle, targeting dry/dehydrated skin rather than oily concerns.

“A luxurious cleansing balm that hydrates and nourishes while gently melting away face and eye makeup.”

— Ella & Jo (product description, ellaandjo.ie)

“Designed to effortlessly dissolve makeup, dirt, and oil while keeping skin soft and radiant.”

— McCauley Pharmacy (mccauley.ie)

“Deeply cleansing yet non-stripping — removes even stubborn waterproof mascara.”

— Boots Ireland (boots.ie)

Between the brand’s own claims and retailer endorsements, the consensus is clear: this balm delivers on makeup removal and skin comfort. The open questions centre on how it compares long-term to cheaper alternatives. For Irish shoppers eyeing a mid-range balm, the choice is clear: Ella & Jo delivers on its promises without the premium price tag, but if you’re after a true dupe of Charlotte Tilbury at a fraction of the cost, Aldi’s Lacura remains the better bet. For anyone who values ingredient transparency, cruelty-free certification, and a formula designed for mature or dry skin, the Ella & Jo balm earns its place in your bathroom cabinet.