NEW! Emma Hardie Vitamin C Brilliance Cleansing Balm – Expert Review
If you’re a skincare enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of the legendary Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm, a cult favourite that has become a staple in beauty routines worldwide. Now, the brand has introduced a brand-new contender: the Emma Hardie Vitamin C Brilliance Cleansing Balm.
The big question is: can this fresh launch truly rival the iconic, best-selling Moringa Cleansing Balm that so many of us (myself included) have loved and recommended time and time again?
In this in-depth review, I’ll break down everything you need to know about the Vitamin C Brilliance Cleansing Balm, from its unique formula and texture to the key skincare benefits and powerhouse ingredients. I’ll also compare it directly with the original Moringa Cleansing Balm, so you can decide which one deserves a spot on your bathroom shelf.
First Impressions
At first use, the Emma Hardie Vitamin C Brilliance Cleansing Balm feels reassuringly familiar. It still has that indulgent, buttery texture that glides effortlessly over the skin, dissolving makeup, SPF, and impurities with ease. Your skin feels cushioned, nourished, never stripped or tight.
The upgrade comes in the form of stable Vitamin C, antioxidant-rich oils, and brightening botanicals. These additions not only cleanse but also support the skin barrier, help combat free radicals, and add a subtle radiance boost.
The fragrance has had a tweak too: tangerine has replaced mandarin, but it still delivers that beautiful spa-like aroma that Emma Hardie products are known for, transportive and uplifting as you cleanse.
What’s Changed… and What Hasn’t
What’s the Same
Texture & Cleansing Power: Both balms have the beautiful ability to melt seamlessly into the skin, breaking down makeup and sunscreen without residue and emulsifying with water into a milky texture, leaving skin soft and supple.
Base Oils: Grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower seed oil, and caprylic/capric triglyceride form the backbone of both formulas. These lightweight, nourishing oils bring fatty acids and omegas that help strengthen the skin barrier.
Antioxidants: Both formulas contain tocopherol (Vitamin E) and ascorbyl palmitate, antioxidants that protect the skin against free radical damage.
Aromatic Experience: Both balms are fragranced with an essential oil blend to give that instantly recognisable “spa at home” cleansing ritual.
What’s New
The original Moringa Balm revolved around its namesake hero ingredient, Moringa Seed Extract, famous for its purifying and antioxidant benefits. The new Vitamin C Brilliance Cleansing Balm, however, leans into brightening and antioxidants with a few notable additions:
Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate) is a stable oil-soluble form, known for its brightening and antioxidant properties. With a higher antioxidant potency than ascorbyl palmitate
Hexylresorcinol is a fantastic skin-brightening ingredient found in many hyperpigmentation serums to help even skin tone.
Ethyl Linoleate helps support the skin barrier..
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) seed oil is rich in omegas and polyphenols, offering hydration, anti-inflammatory properties, and additional antioxidant protection
What’s Been Removed
The original formula included:
Moringa Seed Extract, the long-celebrated signature ingredient known for its antioxidant and purifying properties, whilst also hydrating and soothing the skin.
Sea Fennel Extract (Crithmum Maritimum) is known for brightening and supporting skin renewal.
Glycerin – a classic humectant for hydration.
The removal of Moringa will be a disappointment for purists, but the new additions give the Brilliance Balm a different, more skin-protecting focus.
Hero Ingredients
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (Vitamin C) is an antioxidant powerhouse that helps brighten dullness and shields skin from oxidative stress.
Cranberry Seed Oil is rich in omegas 3, 6, and 9 to deeply nourish, hydrate, and keep skin soft and supple.
Hexylresorcinol is a clinically backed brightening active, also used in hyperpigmentation treatments.
Ethyl Linoleate helps support and strengthen the skin barrier.
Who Is It For?
Best for: Normal to dry skin types, or anyone looking for extra nourishment and a radiance boost.
Combination skin: Suitable too, but ensure you emulsify thoroughly with water and rinse well.
Sensitive skin: If you’re prone to fragrance sensitivity, patch test first.
If you avoid Vitamin C: While the concentration here is low, if you’ve reacted to Vitamin C before, this may not be for you.
Not suitable for vegans: This formula contains beeswax.
When to Use
Morning: Particularly in colder months or if your skin feels dry and tight, always emulsify well when you add water.
Evening: As your first cleanse to break down makeup, sunscreen, and impurities from pollution and daily life. Ideal for commuters or city dwellers exposed to environmental aggressors.
Pro Tips
The cleansing balm comes with a dual-sided cleansing cloth designed to enhance your routine. The microfibre side is ultra-gentle, making it perfect for sweeping the balm away from the entire face without tugging at the skin. The muslin-textured side offers a little more grip and mild exfoliation, ideal for working through the eyebrows, along the nose, and on areas prone to congestion or blackheads.
Final Verdict
I love it! This is a gorgeous formula. While the Vitamin C percentage is low (as this is a wash-off formula), I firmly believe that the more antioxidant support in your skincare routine, the better. It wouldn’t replace a dedicated Vitamin C serum, but it adds an extra layer of defence and brightness during cleansing.
The addition of Hexylresorcinol is a welcome move; it’s not enough to dramatically fade pigmentation in a cleansing step, but it does give this balm a brightening edge.
Texture-wise, it feels just as indulgent as the OG, rich, silky, and gliding beautifully over the skin. It’s ever so slightly richer, which dry skin types will love.
Overall, the Vitamin C Brilliance Cleansing Balm is every bit as enjoyable as the original but with extra antioxidant and brightening benefits. A cleansing balm that feels like a treat, works like a pro, and offers subtle improvements for skin radiance.
The hardest part? Deciding whether to stick with the comforting familiarity of the OG Moringa Balm or reach for the new brightening upgrade. Honestly, I can see a place for both.
BUY HERE The New Vitamin C Brilliance Cleansing Balm Emma Hardie
BUY HERE Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm Look Fantastic
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