Farmacy Beauty Review: Green Clean Balm and the Honey Edit

There is a particular kind of tired that only waterproof mascara can produce: midnight, cotton pad number four, and a faint grey ring that simply refuses to leave. Farmacy Beauty built its name on ending that ritual. Its Green Clean Cleansing Balm, a sherbet-firm, plant-oil balm in a sage-green jar, turns to oil on dry skin and to milk under warm water, taking the day’s make-up with it. A decade on, Farmacy has grown a full routine around that jar, from acid serums to honey-scented moisturisers, but the cleanser is still the reason most people arrive. Here is what is worth buying from Farmacy Beauty, what each piece costs, and where the brand’s clean, farm-to-face story runs out of road.

Why is Farmacy Beauty’s Green Clean still the balm to beat?

Because it does the unglamorous job properly. Farmacy says the balm removes more than 99% of long-wear foundation, lipstick, waterproof mascara and SPF in a single cleanse, and that in testing on 31 people, 96% said their skin felt smoother, softer and more hydrated afterwards. Sunflower oil does the dissolving, papaya extract helps lift away grime, and a “super greens” blend of upcycled moringa, holy basil and arugula adds antioxidants. The brand also claims it is three times gentler on skin than the leading make-up wipe, measured by instrument rather than opinion. Use is simple: scoop with the spatula, massage onto dry skin and closed eyes, then emulsify with warm water. It picked up an Allure Best of Beauty award in 2017 and Byrdie’s Eco Award in 2022, and Farmacy has since reformulated it.

Which Green Clean should you buy?

The current Green Clean Cleansing Balm costs $39 for 100ml, with a 30ml travel tub at $18, a 50ml mini at $26 and a 200ml jumbo at $68. It comes in three versions: Original, a Honey Vanilla edition and, most usefully, Fragrance-Free, which is the one to pick if your skin flushes at the first hint of scent. Loyalists should note that the brand has also brought back the original pre-reformulation balm as a limited “From the Vault” release at $36 to mark ten years of the brand. If you prefer a proper double cleanse, the Green Clean Whipped Foaming Cleanser and the fragrance-free Gentle Creamy Cleanser each cost $32 for 150ml. Unsure? Farmacy sells most formulas in $5 trial sizes, which is the cheapest way to find out whether a balm suits you.

Is the Honey Glow 17% serum too strong for most skin?

It is strong, and Farmacy says so. The Honey Glow 17% AHA + BHA Resurfacing Acid Serum ($60 for 30ml) blends glycolic and lactic acids with willow bark, then softens the hit with honey, propolis, royal jelly and hyaluronic acid. It is a night serum, meant for two to four evenings a week to start, and the brand warns that slight tingling is normal. Based on clinical and consumer testing on 32 people, it says users saw smoother texture and less visible pores after a single night. It’s best for oily or congested skin that’s tired of scrubs. If you have dry or reactive skin, build up slowly and use SPF the next morning without fail. Long-time Farmacy fans should know that some reviewers still prefer the older Honey Moon Glow formula.

What does Honey Halo add to a Farmacy Beauty routine?

Comfort, mainly. The Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer ($48 for 50ml) pairs buckwheat honey, propolis and royal jelly with plant-based ceramides, shea butter and vitamin E. It’s rich without being greasy, which makes it a good partner for acids or retinoids. Farmacy says it is non-comedogenic and silicone-free, and recommends it for normal to dry skin, morning and night. It comes in a frosted jar with a wood-effect lid, and it smells faintly of real honey. If that sounds too heavy, the fragrance-free Honey Cloud Lightweight Barrier Repair Moisturizer costs the same and has a lighter, cloud-like texture. Oily skin is better served by Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer ($44). For a full Farmacy routine, add the alcohol-free Deep Sweep 2% BHA toner ($34 for 120ml) on the days you skip the serum.

Where does Farmacy fall short, and who is it for?

The “clean” label is narrower than it sounds. Farmacy leaves out parabens, sulfates, phthalates and mineral oils, is Leaping Bunny certified and uses FSC-certified cartons and mostly recycled plastic. Its honey products, though, use bee-derived ingredients, so vegans should read each label. Fragrance features in several hero formulas, and an oil balm can leave a soft film that oily skin may want to follow with a gel wash. The honey line is pricier than the cleansers, too. Still, if you want one cleanser that clears the most stubborn make-up without the scrubbing, and a short routine that leans on familiar acids rather than gimmicks, Farmacy is an easy brand to trust. Start with the balm and add the rest when you’re ready.

This article contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission if you buy through them. Prices are in US dollars as listed on farmacybeauty.com in October 2026 and may change. Not medical advice; patch-test acids and new products, and see a dermatologist for persistent skin concerns.