While a cleansing balm isn’t exactly a new concept, I genuinely couldn’t be without one in my routine. Did we need another one on the market? Probably not. But when news of Liz Earle’s new Cleanse & Glow Brightening Cleansing Balm landed in my inbox, it caught my attention. Largely because it promises to do much more than simply melt away makeup. At the heart of the formula is vitamin C-rich acerola cherry, alongside prickly pear and sea buckthorn, with the aim of leaving skin looking brighter, smoother and more hydrated from the very first cleanse.

As a beauty journalist, I’m lucky enough to test a lot of products, and Liz Earle has always been a mainstay in my collection. I’ve used (and repurchased) the original Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser countless times, so when I heard the brand was launching a balm that combined that same satisfying makeup-melting cleanse with ingredients geared towards glow, I obviously wanted to try it.

I’m also a cleansing balm obsessive in general. My schedule can be pretty hectic, and by the time I get home after a long day, I don’t always have the energy for a 10-step skincare routine. My benchmark has long been the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, so I was particularly interested to see how this new £30 launch compared. After swapping out my usual cleanser and putting it through its paces for two weeks, I have thoughts.

The first thing I noticed was the texture - it’s rich and buttery, melts into skin in seconds and turns into a silky milk once you add a splash of warm water. It made light work of my foundation, concealer and blush without needing loads of rubbing, thanks to naturally derived cleansing oils that help break down makeup, excess oil and all the general grime that builds up throughout the day. Most importantly for me, it did all of that without leaving my dry skin with that horrible tight, stripped feeling afterwards. NGL, it did struggle a little with my mascara, though, so I still needed to go in with my trusty micellar water afterwards. It also has an uplifting citrus scent that reminds me a little of the Elemis balm - very spa-like and a treat to use at the end of a long day - although it is strongly fragranced, so that's something to bear in mind if your skin is particularly sensitive.

I also really like the addition of vitamin C-rich acerola cherry. I’m incredibly loyal to my vitamin C serum, but I love the idea of getting some of those brightening benefits from the very first step of my routine - especially if you’re someone who doesn't want to keep adding yet another serum or step to an already overflowing skincare routine.

Alongside prickly pear seed oil and sea buckthorn, the formula left my skin feeling soft, hydrated and noticeably glowier after cleansing. My only real issue is the pot. I have long nails and don't love digging my fingers into product (or subsequently digging said product out from underneath my nails - not the most hygienic, IMO), so a little spatula would be a very welcome addition. You can rinse it off with just water, but personally, I’ll always use a wet flannel or cloth to make sure every last bit is gone. Overall? Two weeks in and I’m still reaching for it - which, considering the number of cleansers fighting for space in my bathroom cabinet, is always a pretty good sign.