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If you’ve read any of my other beauty pieces, you know I’m already a fan of French pharmacy products like Caudalie, La Roche Posay, and Avène. One of the distinguishing features of skincare a la française is simplicity—a vastly different approach than, say, Korean skincare, which involves many elaborate steps. When I got an Instagram ad for Bonjout Beauty’s Le Balm, I was intrigued by the claims it could replace multiple products. My current skin routine usually involves a cleanser, essence, serum, and moisturizer, which seems pretty pared down already…but was it possible to strip it down even more?
Spoiler alert: Yes. (With a few caveats.)
We like
- Takes the place of multiple products
- Easy to travel with
- Suitable for all skin types
- Refillable
We don't like
- Might not be moisturizing enough for some
- Doesn’t fix every problem
- On the pricier side
Science-Backed Skincare
Before I tell you about my own results, let me introduce you to the concept and creator behind the brand. Dr. Natacha Bonjout earned her doctorate in pharmaceutical science and spent over 15 years working in the skincare field. By 2018, she created her own hero product inspired by her research on the complexion, and striving for efficacy while also focusing on sustainable sourcing and hypoallergenic, ultra-clean formulations.
The result is Le Balm ($120), a solid serum containing an astounding amount (68!) of active ingredients, from Prickly Pear Native Stem Cells to protect against UV damage to Blue Bird Hibiscus Native Stem Cells for anti-aging, and familiar ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane for hydration and moisture retention. It’s free of silicones, talc, paraffin, petrolatum, synthetic fragrances, and other “potentially harmful” ingredients that are currently banned in Europe. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, so it checks a lot of boxes for anyone concerned with ethical and clean beauty.
First Impressions
When I received a sample of Le Balm from Bonjout Beauty in the mail, I instantly loved the simple, streamlined packaging. It’s about the size of a small powder compact with a twist off lid to keep it securely closed when not in use. The texture of the balm is like that of a solid perfume that starts to soften with the heat of your fingers or hands, and there is a barely perceptible scent that just smells, for lack of a better word, clean.
One Balm to Rule Them All
I used this over a period of two and a half months to really give it time to work. My daily routine went like this: wash my face (currently using this one), a swipe of Caudalie essence, and then a layer of Le Balm. Using my fingertips, I gathered a bit of product on, rubbed my fingertips together to warm it up, and then gently rubbed it into my skin. I used a little bit of extra balm around areas that tend to get dry on me—the corners of my mouth and the skin around my nose and cheeks. After letting it set in for a few minutes, I finished with a layer of sunscreen. My evening routine was essentially the same, except without the sunscreen finish. I brought Le Balm with me on a trip to Paris in November and another trip to NYC in January and it was really nice to not worry about packing a bunch of little bottles of skincare—I just popped the container into my purse and carried it everywhere with me in case I needed a touchup.
Generally speaking, I felt that it worked well to provide my skin with essential nutrients and a base layer of moisture without feeling greasy or heavy. I also really liked the fact that I could do a pretty “lazy” skincare routine at night when I was tired—wash, pat dry, slather on balm, go to bed. The texture of my skin was excellent, and when I drank enough water and got enough sleep, I felt great about this super minimalist routine.
TBH, Your Results May Vary
Here’s where I bring up some caveats for this otherwise innovative balm. For the most part, I have pretty unproblematic skin and I don’t wear much makeup (hardly ever foundation). My skin type is combination, with an oilier T-zone and normal to dry cheeks. I found that when the weather was colder (like during a winter trip to a very windy Manhattan), my face needed a heavier moisturizer, so I had to supplement with a more humectant cream.
Another thing I really struggle with is hyperpigmentation. As I’ve gotten older, spots have been popping up that I’ve been trying to control with retinoids and vitamin C serum. If I only use the Bonjout balm, it doesn’t address these issues like a dedicated treatment and while I didn’t necessarily notice my skin spots worsening, there wasn’t any marked improvement. I recently added my retinoid back in a few times a week, and started using vitamin C serum in the mornings, to see if I can mitigate any further hyperpigmentation.
My conclusion is that It’s very close to being a holy grail product, but I will be keeping some of my favorite serums and treatments at the ready to address “signs of aging.” I’m looking forward to refilling this and having it on hand for upcoming travel in the next few months—since I’m a carry-on traveler, it has freed up a lot of space in my TSA-appoved liquids bag. If you’re a skincare minimalist and wonder if your routine can be even simpler but still effective, the answer is a resounding oui.
