Darphin • Purifying Balm • Treatments

Where To Buy?

*TOP REVIEWER* Bellona on 6/8/2013 4:39:00 AM more reviews by Bellona

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I thought this would be the cure for my congested skin. Lately I don't know what the problem is, but I've got all these little bumps on my forehead, cheeks and chin?? They're not all whiteheads or blackheads, but just bumps. It's irritating and looks gross :( Since I'm a fan of the Darphin Camomille oil and this ranked so high on MUA I thought I'd give it a go. The SA told me to use it every night for 7 days, and then when needed. At first nothing really happened, it calmed my skin and felt amazing, but I still had bumps. By night 5 I wasn't seeing results. So I tried to return it, and the Darphin rep was there, she looked at my skin and suggested I exfoliate first. I did that night and voila! AMAZING! It's like the balm wasn't penetrating through my skin? Anyways, I never returned it and have been using it weekly since, once in the evening after exfoliating.
Pros:
- calmed my redness
- non-irritating to my sensitive skin
- reduced my congestion
Cons:
- poor packaging, you're only supposed to use a "grain of rice" amount and it's hard to get that out of the pot, I used a q-tip, but still felt like it wasted a bit
- very expensive for the small amount you get
Overall a keeper, and hopefully using it as a treatment it will last awhile.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Lucinda101 on 5/17/2013 6:16:00 AM more reviews by Lucinda101

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I love this product, I have been using it once a week (twice if a have a breakout) for the 2 months and really think it's helping. I only need to use a tiny amount in the evening and don't need to use a moisturiser over it. I wouldn't say the results have been miraculous but over night any spots are less red and angry, my skin looks calmed and clearer and over time I seem to be getting fewer blocked pores. I also love the citrusy smell and the pretty glass jar it comes in.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

katsubrtova on 5/4/2013 4:36:00 AM more reviews by katsubrtova

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Ok, this is so freaking expensive!

Luckilly I got as a present, my bank account didn't suffer that much and I have to be raved about this product with no remorses.:)

Pros:
evens out your skintone
helps healing scars and spots
doesn't break me out
calms the skin
takes away the redness
and actually fond of the grease texture
little spots almost fade overnight
the "picked" ones don't get inflammed
the package is small and elegant, but it takes a long time to finish it

Cons:
doesn't hydrate much
the package is quite unhygienic
the price is really high

A final remark: This thing doesn't fix your skin overnight, but it really improves it. Can't wait what my skin will look like after few moths of using it. :)
Ideal for skin with combination or acne-prone skin with smaller imperfection, but I think (and read it on two beauty blogs) it won't heal major imperfections like big bumps, underskin acne, cystic acne or extremely inflammated pimples.

So she who saves to money for it, run for it! :)

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* silviabeloved on 7/3/2012 8:41:00 AM more reviews by silviabeloved

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

This didn't work for me at all, it just sat on top of my skin and made it much worse. I am so glad that nightmare is over.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

darlingest on 6/26/2012 10:34:00 AM more reviews by darlingest

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

While this is not the most miraculous product on the planet, I love it. It really does purify the skin, but more than that, it does it all without stripping it. I use this every other night after exfoliating and (after melting it on my finger tips) I massage it into my skin. In the morning I wake up with occasional pimples downsized, pores clear, and (most exciting) skin soft!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

alwayysbluee on 6/13/2012 12:32:00 AM more reviews by alwayysbluee

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I got a small sample of this and so far it has been amazing. The smell is a little strong, but it doesn't bug me since I actually like the smell! I might actually ditch out the money for the full size product.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* ceen on 10/25/2011 5:16:00 AM more reviews by ceen

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Excellent decongesting action. Used at night around nose area and brighter, clearer skin is invariably the result in the AM. Highly recommended.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

carolinewknight on 8/12/2011 5:35:00 AM more reviews by carolinewknight

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

After some not-so-nice experiences with other Darphin products I willed myself to give the 'Purifying Balm' a try for my combination skin type. It smells purifying, but on my face it didn't give the effect I had hoped for. My odd acne bumps were still there the next day. It didn't make them worse and it didn't make them better either. Most people report good experiences with this, I'm one of the few who it doesn't seem to do anything for. I doubt I will be trying anything else from this brand, the next time I need a plant/herbal-fix I will stick to my Decleor products, especially the Ylang ylang balm and facial oil.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

fazli on 5/24/2011 6:52:00 PM more reviews by fazli

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Procedure: I usually apply it every night after cleaning my face with Darphin Aromatic Peeling, it gives me the best result in this combination. When I tried it with Clay mask it was quite bad, and not that efficient with standard cleansers, e.g. Intral cleansing milk. I have to apply it almost everyday or I get acne, but I am also going through a quite stressful period this last a year. Melting it properly in palm before applying seems to have effect as well. I do not put any cream on top of it except for eyes. I put in it usually at least an hour before going to sleep so that it is not removed by my pillow.

Pros: It does work (even though my skin usually does not respond well to balms or oils). When I apply it as I mentioned above I barely get any acne. My skin looks recovered in the morning. Less visible pores. Lasts long, e.g. 15ml for half a year of intensive usage.

Cons: Is fatty, am a bit obsessed about it getting on my pillow. I have some underskin acne appearing, but it may not be related to this as if I remember correctly my mother mentioned this problem before me starting using this product. Anyway, I used to not have underskin acne e.g. 2 years ago.

Update August 2011: I have had recently lots of stress and an acne breakout. I am not sure how it would have been without the balm, but at some point I had a feeling it didn't have too much effect (smaller pores and less redness was still present only when using the balm). I am not sure if it should be used on a daily basis as I did because of its potential pore-clogging property...

Btw, I usually have better experience with tester Darphin products than themselves when I purchase them. On the other hand, I am buying them from Strawberry, not sure if it is a downside...

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Beautyfoolrise on 3/29/2011 12:26:00 PM more reviews by Beautyfoolrise

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Black    

I use the balm 2 times a week,the aroma of the product is divine!Before I apply i alway take a deep breathe enjoying the relaxing smell of the product.When the balm melt,it become oil texture is take time to absorb into skin but after massaging for few minutes it sinks into the skin.Although it does leave a layer of oil film but the next morning i wake up it disappear leaving my skin soft and radiance.I been using this for almost half a year and it is a very effective product especially when i have break out it help to heal and calm down the blemishes.I have visible open pore aroud my cheek area,after using this my pore seen to be less noticeable.Best balm I ever use,thanks Darphin.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

natalianyc on 3/12/2011 5:34:00 PM more reviews by natalianyc

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I put this balm overnight and next morning my skin looks rested, no redness. Looks like it's healing my post acne spots. Friends also noticed a difference in my skin. I tried other products, but this one the best so far. It's expensive, but last looong time.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ultravee on 2/16/2011 12:46:00 PM more reviews by ultravee

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight   Eyes: Green    

Okay. This is not a product that you totally need. There are probably less expensive, working products that might do similar benefits for your skin. It's not a miraculous product, it doesn't work overnight. It took me a month before I noticed any visible difference. But. First of all, you don't always need to buy just the stuff you need. You need to indulge youself a bit! This is not just a balm, this is a luxurious spa experience, makes me feel happy and good just by inhaling its smell and performing the crazy Darphin ritual of applying it and enjoying those three minutes of complete relaxation. But this balm is also so much more, it calms the skin and evens the skin tone leaving it looking and feeling so much healthier, it even helped reducing the size of my pores which is unbelieveable!
You only need to apply a small quantity two to three times a week so despite the small packaging it lasts long.
Love love love!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

AlissaDiMaggio on 1/1/2011 7:03:00 PM more reviews by AlissaDiMaggio

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is a great product for acne prone skin. People with acne prone skin are familiar with the double edged sword of acne medication clearing up but drying out and irritating the skin...causing it to get red, irritated, crusty not to mention painful. I keep this in my medicine cabinet and save it for my crisis mode skin moments. When dealing with dry broken out skin that doesn't seem to heal no matter what I try...I SWEAR...a pea size of this product is the cure. I have found I have to do some convincing with my acne prone women in order to get them to try this product. The texture is similar to vaseline but stiffer. Many women who suffer from breakouts are terrified at the thought of putting something of this texture on their skin..as was I when I first tried it. Many women don't realize that mineral oil is the main oil you want to avoid applying to the skin. This product contains no mineral oil. In fact it contains 25 essential oils all which are detoxifying and purifying oil which help to clear up the skin. I really LOVE this product. It is one of my very favorites!!

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ncw1625 on 11/21/2010 4:36:00 PM more reviews by ncw1625

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Green    

The sales person who reccomended this to me honestly told me that it does sit on the skin in an oily way whilst in bed with it on before going to sleep. It did exactly this. It did not help the surface texture of my skin. If anything it stopped night time healing and recuperating of my skin. Inhibits natural skin functioning. Feels luxurious to use. Fancy packaging. Fancy stuff. Doesn't work. Dulls and is detrimental to the complexion

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

tess1978 on 8/2/2010 2:37:00 PM more reviews by tess1978

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I really like this product. I must say that I was quite skeptical when I purchased the balm- a thick balm which will purify and stabilize the skin-pahh! But the thing is that it really works - and in addition it works really well!

About 2 years ago I purchased a Darphin moisturizer from SPACE NK. The sales assistant recommended a product which would hydrate my combo skin. I must a failed to mention that I have combo skin which is highly sensitive and that I react very easily to strongly perfumed ingredients. This cream was so perfumed and I started to break out badly and developed large, dry and itchy areas all over my face! Yuuk! It took weeks to restore my skin and I swore that this brand was barred from my skincare routine FOR EVER.

Fast-forward a few years and I'm mad enough to try out this brand again. But this time around it is different, it is a hit. The balm has a nice aromatic smell and it’s not intrusive but rather subtle. During the summer my skin tends be a bit oilier especially around the T-zone area. In addition my skin is more prone to break out so this treatment is perfect to stabilize and harmonize the skin. I apply it at night instead of moisturizer. The sales assistant at the Darphin counter at House of Fraser instructed me to use it repeatedly over 8 nights without my moisturizer and then apply it 2-3 times a week or when required. At first I was reluctant to give my night cream but already after the first night I woke up with lovely and glowing skin. I'm now on my 4th night and I'm so happy that I purchased this product! My skin is smooth and radiant and it feels soft and wonderful. I apply a small amount of the balm all over my face and neck. At first it feels greasy and heavy and it does not sink in immediately but does so overnight and I wake up with a clear and smooth complexion.

The balm contains essential oils from Tea tree, Lavender and Sage which purifies and sooths sensitive and inflamed skin. Whatever the balm contains it delivers some wonderful results.

I've also noticed that my blackhead have almost disappeared and that the appearance of pores a lot smaller. Unbelievable! I thought that was impossible. But I have recently changed my skincare routine and replaced my beloved Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish after 5 years of loyal use to Emma Hardie's moringa balm cleanser and I will never look back. I swear that there is a magic potion in Emma’s cleanser , the cleanser has completely changed my skin. My skin is clear, black pores are banished my very fine lines are minimal, dry areas are hydrated and my break out prone skin is much more under control.

Considering that I was diagnosed with adult acne only last year I managed to banish almost every spot and outbreak with the balm/oil method. Not only do I have much better skin than before the acne outbreaks but I also look younger and more radiant.

Darphin's purifying balm is an essential must have. I think it suites most skin types and the balm works well with my combo/acne prone skin. It has now become a staple and well worth every penny.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* luluhalabaloo on 5/7/2010 1:22:00 PM more reviews by luluhalabaloo

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Loved the smell and it certainly has active ingrediants because I had an allergic reaction and my tongue started to swell!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Snezhinochka on 4/26/2010 9:04:00 AM more reviews by Snezhinochka

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

This product is actually worth the crazy price it costs.First of all, this is like a spa treatment. It smells divine, and the texture is very pleasant on the skin.

It definitely helped decongest clogged pores for me and reduce imperfections. Also, when you leave it on for the night you wake up with glowing skin.

I apply it to my skin straight after the shower when my pores are open, and I've had fantastic results. It also helps protect my skin in winter - we had a cold winter in Moscow this year and the frost was really drying my skin up, and this product really helped. Thanks Darphin!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

chunkiemunkie on 2/8/2010 12:59:00 AM more reviews by chunkiemunkie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I tried this as an alternative to Darphin Intral Baume when it was discontinued. It works almost as well as the intral baume, but it is very expensive and has a harsh smell. I have dry/sensitive skin and it did hydrate my skin pretty well and didn't cause me to break out, but it just wasn't quite as good to me as the old stuff so I'm going to keep looking. The biggest downside to this product is the price. It's $70 for .05 oz jar that doesn't last very long at all. It also smells very strong. My boyfriend doesn't even want to be around me after I put it on because I smell like fingernail polish remover. Overall, it's a pretty good product and I recommend it to someone who can afford it and deal with the smell, unfortunately I can't.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

yanyan712 on 11/11/2009 3:12:00 AM more reviews by yanyan712

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I had breakouts for the first time in my life when I first got pregnant. My beauty junkie friend recommended this product to me, claiming even Madonna uses it. So I gave it a try and am on my second jar. My friend said I can dab the balm on acnes and they will heal fast. I haven't tried using it that way, but I do incorporate the balm in my beauty routine once a week. I wish the product would absorb into my skin faster because I am always left with a shiny, oil residue when I use it before sleep, although I do wake up with clear, oil-free skin in the mornings. I love the smell of the balm, and will continue to use it as maintenance.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* milktoast24 on 5/19/2009 11:30:00 AM more reviews by milktoast24

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I was intrigued by all the claims of purifying and un-gunking clogged pores, softening skin, plus a cult-like following.

So i bought this balm and gave it the true test: I had a facial, and then applied the balm (with soothing essential oils that tingled nicely) to the red and raw areas of my face, hoping that it would calm and further purify. Typically, after my monthly facial, my pores are shrunken and tiny for several days. Well, imagine my surprise to find my pores immediately enlarged and darkened, filled with sebum. I was really, really disappointed. What purports to purify the skin only clogs it!

The ingredient list is basically oils and beeswax (which obviously acted as a barrier, leading to build-up in my pores). If you use this in the eye area, you will get milia. (*slowly raising hand*)

This balm is best suited for non-acne-prone skin that is dry and chafed, kind of like a barrier balm/diaper balm. It is no good for my dehydrated, yet acne-prone skin.

Inspecting all of the Darphin line, the ingredients of many products are quite mediocre (lots of mineral oil, similar to Sisley), and formulations are out of date. I work in the beauty industry and have heard rumblings at Estee Lauder (who bought Darphin) that they may reformulate some of the products (just like how L'Oreal reformulated many Kiehl's products, which had a cult-like following but were unstable, ineffective, etc).

Don't fall for the hype if you have acne-prone, dry skin. Save your money for something that clinically works.

13 out of 19 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No