Description
What it is
Calming is the Clean It Zero balm aimed at delicate, easily flushed skin. Banila Co builds it around what it calls a Cica-Relief complex: centella asiatica extract plus four of the plant’s best-known active compounds (madecassoside, asiaticoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid). Like its siblings, it melts on contact, dissolves waterproof makeup and rinses away milky with water.
It appears to occupy the spot in the range once held by the older green Purifying balm, which is no longer listed on the brand’s North American store. The current recipe is vegan according to the brand, and it does not list a separate “fragrance” ingredient; instead, its scent comes from a few plant oils, which is worth knowing if you are very reactive.
Key ingredients
- Centella asiatica extract: the classic K-beauty soothing botanical, often chosen for redness-prone and sensitized skin
- Madecassoside, asiaticoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid: purified centella compounds that make up the brand’s Cica-Relief complex
- Olea europaea (olive) fruit oil and jojoba seed oil: plant oils that add slip and a softer after-feel
- Chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract: a chamomile extract traditionally used to calm the look of irritated skin
- Guaiazulene: a blue compound derived from chamomile, used for colour and a soothing reputation
- Onsen-Sui (hot spring water): the line’s signature mineral water
Product details
| Brand | Banila Co (South Korea) |
|---|---|
| Line | Clean It Zero |
| Size | 100 ml |
| Format | Cleansing balm that melts into an oil; spatula included |
| Main concerns | Redness-prone, sensitized skin; gentle makeup removal |
| Skin types | Sensitive, reactive and normal skin |
| When to use | Evening first cleanse |
| Fragrance | No added “fragrance” ingredient, but contains essential oils (eucalyptus, bergamot, rosemary, Roman chamomile) |
How to use
- Scoop a small amount with the spatula.
- Glide it over dry skin with light pressure for about 30 seconds; sensitive skin does not need a long massage.
- Add lukewarm water and continue until it turns milky.
- Rinse gently or press a soft damp cloth over the face rather than rubbing.
- Follow with a mild, low-pH second cleanser.
Hot water and rough cloths cause more flushing than most cleansers do. Keep water lukewarm and pat dry.
Who it suits
Calming is the most logical Clean It Zero pick if your cheeks flush easily, if you are recovering from over-exfoliation, or if you simply like centella-based products. For a wider list of gentle options, see our best Korean skincare for sensitive skin guide.
Who should be careful
Even though it is marketed for sensitive skin, it contains essential oils, including bergamot oil, which can irritate some people and is a known sensitizer. If you react to essential oils, patch testing is especially important here. People with rosacea should introduce it slowly and keep the massage brief.
Patch test first. Apply a small amount to the inner forearm or behind the ear and wait 24 to 48 hours before using it on the face.
Full ingredient list
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Onsen-Sui, Dipropylene Glycol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Guaiazulene, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid
This is the list published by the brand. There is no listed fragrance, but there are four essential oils. No drying alcohol and no nut oils are listed.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clean It Zero Calming the same as Purifying?
It appears to have replaced Purifying in the line-up, and some long-time users describe it that way, but the formula is different, so don’t assume it will behave exactly like the old jar.
Is the Calming balm fragrance-free?
It has no ingredient called fragrance, but it does contain essential oils, so it is not scent-free.
Can I use it if I have rosacea?
Some people with rosacea tolerate centella products well, but essential oils can be a trigger. Patch test and check with your dermatologist if unsure.
Calming or Original: which should I choose?
Choose Calming if redness and sensitivity are your main concerns; the Original is the all-round option with added fragrance.
Learn more
Find more gentle products in our sensitive skin guide and see how double cleansing works in the beginner routine guide.
Ingredient lists can change between batches and markets. Always check the box you receive. This page is an independent guide; melaxin.ca does not sell products directly.
