Product Reviews

This balm doesn’t score particularly high on the skincare classifier, but the thing is, when it comes to cleansing balms, brands tend to prioritize cleansing power and rinseability over including skin-beneficial actives.
That doesn’t mean a balm couldn’t score higher, but in most cases, formulas in this category are kept streamlined and functional. Junoco embraces that approach, stating that “a long list of ingredients doesn’t mean a product is more potent.” And to their credit, they walk the talk: just 10 ingredients, focused on performance, and built to do just one job well — the cleansing job.
At first glance, the balm looks like it’s going to be thick and waxy — but once you scoop it out and rub it between your hands, it melts completely, like softened butter. It spreads easily on the skin and transforms into a milky emulsion on contact with water, rinsing off cleanly without leaving an oily residue. On its own, it removes makeup effectively. But paired with the suggested cleansing reusable pad (the "cleansing cookie", it absolutely bulldozes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, and anything else you throw at it.
When it comes to ingredients, yes, there really are only ten. The highlights are tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) and a fermented extract from Coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed — also known as Japanese pearl barley, and marketed here as “Japanese Barley Magic.” This ingredient is popular in Korean skincare and often touted for its antioxidant properties, but the brand goes further, claiming it can help regulate melanin production, brighten the complexion, and reduce dark spots. That’s where things get shaky: I haven’t found any substantial clinical research supporting those effects, and the claims feel overblown given the current evidence.
The presence of orange peel oil might raise some eyebrows (it’s a fragrant ingredient with irritation potential), but in this context — in a wash-off product — I don’t mind it.
Bottom line: this balm is simple but performs. The ingredient list might be short, but it’s effective where it counts — in actually cleaning your face. If you're here for a deep, easy cleanse, and not miracle antioxidants, it delivers.