Stark Skincare

BOREAL Cleanse + Hydrate Balm

Name: BOREAL Cleanse + Hydrate Balm
Brand: Stark Skincare
Price: 52.0 CAD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.85 (313 reviews)

Forest-Inspired Balm That Cleanses, Nourishes & Transforms Skin

$52.00

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Made in Canada

Key Functions: Cleansing, Hydrating, Moisturizing, and Nourishing.

Best for: Transitional Seasons, Hot / Humid Weather, Oily, Normal, Sensitive, Dry, and Problem

Some Key Ingredients: Cranberry Seed Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Hemisqualane, Cocoa butter, and Green tea.

60 ml

Product Description

Lightweight Cleansing Balm + Beauty Balm 2 in 1

Balm-to-milk formula effectively removes makeup and SPF with plant-based ingredients
A lighter version of our Aurora Balm, with Hemisqualane and Cranberry seed oil.
Balances linoleic acid to benefit dry, irritated, and acne-prone skin
Multi-purpose Boreal can cleanse, moisturize, or serve as a treatment mask with our unique rinse-off or leave-on formula.
Water-free formula stays fresh up to 18 months without preservatives

Multipurpose Balm

Boreal is a multi-purpose cleansing balm that combines makeup and SPF removal with nourishing skincare benefits. This light-textured formula is a fresh take on our bestselling Aurora balm, featuring the same versatile functionality with a refreshing woodsy scent profile. The balm begins as a firm, light-green solid that melts upon contact with skin, transforming into a silky oil that effectively dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and daily impurities without stripping natural moisture.

Adapts to your Skin

Boreal's formulation focuses on balancing linoleic acid levels in the skin, which is particularly beneficial for dry, irritated, and acne-prone complexions. The blend includes Kokum butter, organic cocoa butter, Mangifera indica seed butter, and Tucuma seed butter, creating an emollient base that supports skin while cleansing. Cranberry seed oil, green tea seed oil, and hemisqualane provide antioxidant properties and enhance the skin-softening effects.

The balm's versatility extends beyond cleansing. When mixed with warm water, it emulsifies into a milky solution that rinses away completely, leaving skin clean and hydrated. Alternatively, it can be left on as a nourishing treatment or used for specific dry areas. The water-free formulation eliminates the need for preservatives, and with proper handling, maintains its quality for up to 18 months. The distinctive woodland scent transforms your cleansing routine into a moment of self-care.

Ingredients INCI

Ingredients INCI:

Garcinia indica (Kokum) Butter, Theobroma cacao (organic cocoa) butter, Mangifera indica seed butter, Astrocaryum Tucuma Seed Butter, Glycine soja (non-GMO) butter, Jojoba Esters, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis (organic green tea) seed oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, C13-15 Alkane (Hemisqualane), Cetearyl Olivate (and) Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopherol (non-GMO vit. E), Soy lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract & pure essential oils.

Shipping:

Ships from Ottawa, Canada on Monday and/or Wednesday and/or Friday.
Shipping fees: $10 flat-rate shipping in North America.
Free Shipping: In Canada & USA for orders over $125.
Ships completely tariff-free to the USA (no surprise fees!)
International: No surface shipping. Please choose a tracked method if available. Customs & Duties depend on your country.

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Boreal cleanse and hydrate balm by Stark Skincare — lightweight botanical cleansing balm for oily skin and dullness

Forest-Inspired Balm That Cleanses, Nourishes & Transforms Skin

Using this Balm and Solid

Experience it

This firm balm transforms against warm skin into a silky, lightweight oil that glides effortlessly across the face, enveloping the senses in a transportive forest-like aroma that evokes the tranquility of a dense boreal woodland. Upon contact with water, Boreal metamorphoses into a milky emulsion that rinses clean, leaving skin remarkably soft and dewy without any greasy residue or tightness that typically accompanies thorough cleansing. The multi-sensory experience combines the satisfaction of watching stubborn makeup dissolve instantly with the tactile pleasure of massaging the buttery-smooth formula into the skin, creating a daily ritual that feels both indulgent and efficacious.

How to Use it

Incorporate Boreal into your evening routine by massaging a chickpea-sized amount onto dry skin as your first cleanse, allowing the balm to dissolve makeup and SPF before emulsifying with water and rinsing clean with a warm washcloth. For extra hydration during winter months or on long flights, apply a thin layer after cleansing and leave on overnight as an intensive moisture treatment that won't clog pores or transfer to pillowcases. On rushed mornings, Boreal can serve as an all-in-one solution—cleansing, moisturizing, and priming skin for makeup in a single step while balancing oil production throughout the da

Why You Need it

Boreal eliminates the need for multiple products in your skincare arsenal, saving you time, money, and bathroom shelf space while delivering superior results compared to conventional cleansers that often leave skin stripped and uncomfortable. The revolutionary formula actually balances linoleic acid levels in your skin—a scientific approach that addresses the root causes of both dryness and breakouts, making this the rare product that truly works for all skin types from sensitive to oily to mature. Beyond its functional benefits, Boreal transforms an ordinary skincare routine into a luxurious self-care ritual with its sensorial woodland scent and silky texture, providing a moment of tranquil indulgence in even the busiest day.

Boreal Plants for skin strength 🖤 Clinically Proven Actives 🖤 Cruelty- Free 🖤 small batch freshness 🖤 Vegan formulas 🖤 no synthetic fragrance 🖤 No synthetic colours 🖤 in-house formulas 🖤 Boreal Plants for skin strength 🖤 Clinically Proven Actives 🖤 Cruelty- Free 🖤 small batch freshness 🖤 Vegan formulas 🖤 no synthetic fragrance 🖤 No synthetic colours 🖤 in-house formulas 🖤

Key Ingredients in BOREAL Cleanse + Hydrate Balm

Cranberry (Vaccinium Macrocarpon) Seed Oil

One of the rare oils with a balanced 1:1 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, which makes it exceptionally soothing and barrier-supportive. Also contains tocotrienols, a potent form of vitamin E that protects against oxidative stress.

Mango (Mangifera indica) Seed Butter

A rich, emollient butter that softens and protects without clogging pores. High in oleic and stearic acids, it restores flexibility to dry, tight skin. Absorbs more readily than you'd expect from a butter this nourishing.

Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) Extract

Contains EGCG, one of the most studied antioxidant compounds in skincare. Peer-reviewed research consistently demonstrates its ability to reduce UV damage, calm inflammation, and regulate sebum production. Anti-everything-bad, basically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a light cleansing balm and a rich cleansing balm?

Rich cleansing balms use heavier plant butters as their base — excellent for dry, mature, or compromised skin but potentially too occlusive for oilier complexions. Lighter cleansing balms like Boreal use hemisqualane, a plant-derived emollient that mimics skin's own lipids and absorbs without heaviness, alongside cranberry seed oil for its balanced fatty acid profile. The cleansing performance is identical — makeup, SPF, and daily grime dissolve just as effectively — but the skin feel after rinsing is noticeably lighter.

Is cleansing balm good for oily or combination skin?

Counterintuitively, yes — cleansing balms can actually benefit oily skin by dissolving excess sebum through oil-on-oil chemistry without triggering the rebound oil production that harsh gel cleansers cause. Boreal is specifically formulated for oily, combination, and normal skin types, with cranberry seed oil's balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio helping to regulate the skin's lipid balance. It rinses completely clean without residue, leaving skin balanced rather than stripped.

Can cleansing balm cause breakouts?

Most cleansing balms don't cause breakouts when properly formulated and rinsed off thoroughly. Breakouts associated with cleansing balms usually come from pore-clogging oils, incomplete removal, or leaving product on skin that wasn't designed as a leave-on treatment. Boreal uses non-comedogenic oils — hemisqualane, cranberry seed, and green tea seed — chosen specifically for their skin-compatible fatty acid profiles. Emulsified with warm water and removed with a soft cloth, it leaves no pore-clogging residue.

Is cleansing balm TSA approved for travel?

Cleansing balms are solid or semi-solid at room temperature and are generally not subject to the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule. Boreal is particularly travel-friendly — its lighter texture means a small amount goes a long way, and its multipurpose functionality (cleanser, quick moisturizer, treatment mask) means fewer products needed overall. The 60mL jar fits comfortably within most carry-on guidelines.

Can you use a cleansing balm in the morning as well as at night?

Yes — and Boreal is particularly well-suited to morning cleansing because its lighter texture won't leave skin feeling too rich before applying serums and SPF. In the morning, use a smaller amount than your evening cleanse — just enough to remove overnight skincare residue and prep skin for your routine. Its linoleic acid balance makes it a good choice for oily skin types who want to cleanse in the morning without stripping.