Let’s be real. Taking off makeup at the end of a long day is a chore. It sucks. You’re tired, your bed is calling, and the last thing you want to do is scrub your face until it's red and raw. That’s usually where the Youth to the People cleansing balm—officially known as the Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm—enters the chat.
Most people think a cleanser is just a cleanser. They’re wrong.
There is a specific kind of magic in a balm that starts as a solid, melts into a slick oil, and then vanishes with a splash of water without leaving you feeling like a grease trap. But is this specific "green goo" worth the price tag, or are you just paying for the cool glass jar and the California aesthetic? Honestly, it depends on what you're trying to melt off your face. If you’re wearing waterproof SPF and long-wear foundation, your standard foaming wash isn't doing anything but moving dirt around. You need a lipid-based solvent.
The Science of Melting Stuff
The Youth to the People cleansing balm works on the principle of "like dissolves like." This isn't just marketing fluff; it’s basic chemistry. Your skin produces sebum. Your makeup contains waxes and oils. Your sunscreen is designed to grip your skin and stay there through sweat and humidity. Water alone can't break those bonds.
This balm uses a blend of sunflower seed oil and moringa. Moringa is the heavy lifter here. It’s often used in water purification because it’s weirdly good at grabbing onto micro-particles and pollution. When you massage this into dry skin, the oil molecules find the oil molecules in your makeup. They shake hands. They bond.
Then comes the "break."
When you add water, the emulsifiers in the formula—like Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate—turn that oil into a milky lotion. This is the moment of truth for any balm. If it doesn't emulsify properly, you’re left with a film that clogs pores and causes breakouts. If it emulsifies too aggressively, your skin feels tight. This one hits the middle ground. It's stable.
What’s actually inside the jar?
Let’s look at the "Superberry" part of the name. It sounds like a marketing buzzword, but the ingredients list shows Maqui, Acai, and Goji. These are high-antioxidant fruits. Now, I’ll be the first to tell you that antioxidants in a wash-off product are a bit of a gamble. They aren't on your face long enough to do the same heavy lifting as a serum. However, they do help neutralize some of the oxidative stress that happens while you're scrubbing away the day's pollution.
The real star is the oil base.
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- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: A high-linoleic oil that’s great for the skin barrier.
- Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil: The "cleansing" oil.
- Sorbitan Oleate: An emulsifier that keeps the texture silky.
There’s no polyethylene in here. If you’ve used older balm formulas, you might remember they felt like plastic. That's because many of them were plastic. Microplastics were used to give balms that "sorbet" texture. Youth to the People uses a vegan wax blend instead. It’s better for the ocean, and it doesn't feel like you're rubbing a grocery bag on your forehead.
Why Everyone Gets the Application Wrong
You’ve probably seen the TikToks. Someone scoops out a massive glob, smears it on a damp face, and complains it didn't work.
Stop.
You have to use this on dry skin. Completely dry. If your hands are wet, the balm emulsifies before it has a chance to dissolve your makeup. It's a waste of money. You only need a pea-sized amount. Maybe a grape-sized amount if you went heavy on the "glam" look today. Warm it between your palms first. You'll feel the texture change from a soft solid to a liquid oil.
Massage it for 60 seconds. This is the "60-second rule" popularized by estheticians like Nayamka Roberts-Smith (LABeautyologist). It takes time for the oils to penetrate the layers of grit. Focus on your nose if you have sebaceous filaments. Focus on your lash line if you're wearing that mascara that refuses to die.
The Double Cleanse Debate
Is the Youth to the People cleansing balm enough on its own?
In my experience, no. And the brand wouldn't tell you otherwise. They usually pair it with their Superfood Cleanser (the green juice one). The balm breaks down the oil-based gunk, and the second water-based cleanser removes the sweat and any remaining residue. If you have extremely dry skin, you might get away with just the balm. But if you’re prone to acne, skipping the second step is playing a dangerous game with your pores.
The Fragrance Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about the smell. It’s polarizing. It smells like a spa, but also a bit like a salad? It’s very "green." Some people love the sensory experience. They find it grounding. Others with sensitive skin might find the natural extracts a bit much.
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If you have a history of contact dermatitis or your skin freaks out at the sight of a lemon, patch test this. It doesn't contain synthetic "parfum," but it does have essential oils and fruit extracts that provide that signature scent. For most, it’s fine. For the 5% of people with hyper-reactive skin, it might be a skip.
Comparing the Competition
How does it stack up?
- vs. Clinique Take The Day Off: Clinique is the "old reliable." It’s fragrance-free and very effective, but it feels a bit... clinical. It lacks the skin-loving antioxidants and the "experience" of the YTTP balm.
- vs. Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm: Elemis is much more heavily scented and much more expensive. It’s luxury in a jar. YTTP feels more "performance-based" and modern.
- vs. Farmacy Green Clean: This is probably the closest rival. Farmacy has a slightly more "melty" texture, but some find the YTTP balm leaves the skin feeling softer afterward due to the berry waxes.
Sustainability and the Glass Jar
Youth to the People is big on glass. It’s heavy. it’s chic. It’s recyclable.
But be careful. Do not drop this in your shower. It will shatter, and you will be sad. The brand is one of the leaders in the "clean" space (a term I personally find a bit vague, but they back it up with solid manufacturing practices). They are Leaping Bunny certified, which means no animal testing. In 2026, that should be the standard, but it’s still worth noting.
The jar is 3.4 oz. It sounds small, but because the formula is so concentrated, it usually lasts three to four months with nightly use. When you break down the cost per use, it’s actually more economical than the $12 drugstore options that you have to use half a bottle of just to get your eyeliner off.
Common Misconceptions About Balms
"It will make me break out."
I hear this constantly from people with oily skin. It’s counter-intuitive, I get it. You have oily skin, so you want to strip it. But stripping your skin actually triggers more oil production. Using the Youth to the People cleansing balm can actually help balance oily skin because it effectively removes the oxidized sebum that clogs pores without damaging the moisture barrier.
"It leaves a film on my eyes."
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If you’re getting "blurry vision" after using it, you’re likely using too much or not rinsing thoroughly enough. Use a warm washcloth to remove the balm if you find that water alone isn't doing the trick. The cloth provides a tiny bit of physical exfoliation which helps lift the dissolved makeup away from the skin.
The Verdict: Who is it for?
This isn't for the person who wears zero makeup and just wants a quick wash. It’s overkill for that.
This is for:
- The daily SPF wearer (which should be everyone).
- People living in urban areas with high pollution.
- Anyone with dry or dehydrated skin who feels "tight" after washing.
- Those who value the ritual of skincare.
It’s a solid investment in your skin's long-term health. When you keep the barrier intact during the cleansing process, every serum and moisturizer you apply afterward works 20% better because it's not trying to repair damage caused by your cleanser.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Jar
If you've decided to pull the trigger and buy it, or if you have a jar sitting on your vanity right now, follow these steps for the best results.
- The Scoop: Use a small spatula. If you use your fingers, you're introducing water and bacteria into the jar, which can degrade the oils over time.
- The Massage: Spend extra time on your jawline. This is where makeup tends to linger and cause those annoying "maskne" breakouts.
- The Temperature: Use lukewarm water. Hot water strips the skin; cold water won't emulsify the balm properly.
- The Storage: Keep it in a cool, dry place. If your bathroom gets incredibly steamy, the balm might soften. It’s fine, but the texture is better when it stays "snap-solid."
The Youth to the People cleansing balm isn't just a trend. It’s a well-engineered piece of skincare that solves a specific problem: getting the day off your face without ruining your skin in the process. It's expensive, sure. But so is fixing a damaged skin barrier.
Check your local Sephora or the YTTP website for the "Dream" duo sets. They often package the balm with a mini of the cleanser, which is the best way to try the system without committing to the full-size price tag immediately. Your skin will probably thank you for the upgrade. It's time to stop scrubbing and start melting.