A few months after testing, my in-depth review for the Then I Met You cleansing duo is finally here. A sensorial experience, a scrumptious delight and two products packed with nutritious ingredients. Along with this review, I recently sat down with Charlotte Cho in her New York City head office to discover what jeong means to her. She acquainted those feelings when she introduced the sentiment of jeong when she launched Then I Met You. You can read the profile I wrote about her journey here.
Then I Met You focuses on going deeper. It’s more than just a double cleanse.
Side note: The cleansing duo is made for all skin types, cruelty free and vegan, free of sulfates, alcohol, parabens, artificial coloring and synthetic fragrances.
Photo: Then I Met You
Living Cleansing Balm
What is it: A luxurious balm, oil cleanser that melts away oil-based impurities, makeup, sunscreen and excess sebum.
What it does: Removes impurities while nourishing the skin with antioxidants, essential fatty acids and vitamin E.
Benefits and key ingredients: Seaberry/Sea Buckthorn oil is rich in stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and omega-6 which are all fatty acids. From TIMY: The bright orange coloring is due to high lycopene and carotenoid content. With time the coloring will fade but does not diminish the effectiveness of the cleanser. Olive oil is a nourishing antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging benefits. Together, olive oil and sea buckthorn help restore the skin barrier. Persimmon extract brightens the skin. It’s a radical scavenger that prevents premature aging and photo damage. Grapeseed oil nourishes the skin while removing oil-based impurities in a gentle way. Vitamin E is a healing ingredient and is an essential component to healthy and nourished skin. It also has a ton of antioxidant properties. View the full ingredient list here.
Texture and scent: This is a sorbet-soft balm cleanser that smells like a mango sorbet. Hints of rosemary, persimmon and grapefruit add to the aromatic experience.
How to use: As your first step of the double cleanse, Then I Met You recommends to take the spatula and use a dime sized amount onto dry skin and gently massage to melt away the makeup. The best way to remove an oil based cleanser? Emulsify it with warm water to properly wash everything away to prepare for your second step water based cleanse.
My experience: The Living Cleansing Balm is one of the most unique cleansing moments I’ve ever experienced so far.
The second I opened the tub, I gasped. The colour, the decadent texture and the scent. It all just made sense. I remember taking the spatula and went deeper like it told me to. Melting everything onto my skin, the texture was the first thing I felt the most. It’s just… beautiful. It’s smooth and it’s juicy, it’s a delight. It feels like a mango sorbet. Pure silk. The Living Cleansing Balm has become one of my favourite first cleanses. It removes ALL my makeup so effortlessly. It’s not like a typical balm cleanser. I can directly apply it to my skin without even having to rub it into my hands. It’s not chunky, it doesn’t crumble up and it just feels like a dream. Even if I’m not wearing makeup, using it on bare skin is such fun experience. It’s super nourishing and soothing, unlike any other oil based product I’ve ever tried.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Details: C$51.00 approximately converted / USD$38.00 for 90 g / 3.17 oz | Available at Then I Met You | Comes with a spatula.
Photo: Then I Met You
Soothing Tea Cleansing Gel
What is it: A gel cleanser with a jelly texture to soothe the skin.
What it does: Soothes, softens and awakens your skin. Followed as a second cleanse, it’ll also help remove the excess impurities from the first oil cleanse along with water based impurities.
Benefits and ket ingredients: Licorice root extract is a gentle and effective antioxidant to help even out your skin tone and and reduce free radicals. Green Tea is used as an anti-inflammatory oil packed with essential fatty acids. Rice ferment filtrate is rich in enzymes and amino acids as well as brightens the skin. Tea Tree Leaf is an herbal antioxidant with antimicrobial properties that’s commonly used for spot treatments and is gentle enough for acne-prone skin. Centella Asiatica in an antioxidant-rich ingredient made up of asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and madecassoside and several other actives. Centella Asiatica is wound-healing and moisturizing. Gluconolactone (PHA) is a gentle acid with exfoliating, moisturizing and antioxidant factors without sensitizing the skin. View the full ingredient list here.
Texture and scent: This cleanser is a fun, bouncy, stretchy, yummy cleanser that smells like tea. Like Charlotte says, it really does awaken your senses.
How to use: As the second step of your double cleanse, squeeze out a pea-sized amount on wet hands and gentle massage into your skin, removing all the water based impurities.
My experience: You’re unique in all your beautiful, jelly glory.
The Soothing Tea Gel has become one of my favourite cleansers. You know, cleansers in general have become so fun to me, especially when they’re packed with such delicious ingredients like this one. From the texture to the gentle foam, which is barely there at all, this cleanser is scrumptious. It’s super gentle for morning and evening, waking my skin up and instantly evening my skin tone. It’s super soothing and gentle feels SO refreshing. It quenches my skin, makes me feel alive and smells really delightful. It’s currently my go-to!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Details: Details: C$48.00 approximately converted / USD$36.00 for 100 mL / 3.38 oz | Available at Then I Met You
Overall thoughts: I love the cleansing duo together and apart. The day Charlotte launched the line, I ordered it in a heartbeat. The concept is brilliant, her story is lovely and the ingredients are just awesome. I do think they’re a little on the “luxe” and pricey side, but that’s subjective to everyone. I say luxe because of the price point, but regardless of a price point, any skincare product should feel luxurious as long as it makes you feel happy and alive. And the cleansing duo does. It’s more than just cleansing. More than a routine. It’s jeong. I truly look forward to Charlotte’s skincare journey and growth with Then I Met You and all her other endeavours to come.
You can shop the cleansing duo together here or individually.
