When you take off the outer lid, you see a round surface with a narrow opening instead of the balm itself. The first time you open a grind-to-dispense cleansing balm, it can be hard to tell how to get the product out. The jar looks like one you would scoop from with a spatula, but with this type you twist the designated part of the container and use what comes out on top.
Start by checking three things: what moves under the outer lid, which way to turn it, and how much to dispense. The part you turn and the amount to use vary by container. Check the directions on your own product first, including what to do after dispensing.
1. Remove the outer lid and locate the twisting part and dispensing slot
If the packaging or container says to grind or twist to dispense, open it and compare the diagram in the directions with your jar. Some types reveal a twisting part with a narrow, elongated slot when you remove the outer lid. The lid closes the jar when you are done; the surface with the opening is for dispensing. If this is your first time, set the jar on the counter and look at it from slightly above to distinguish the parts that sit on top of one another.
Set the removed lid inside up on a clean, dry surface. If there are droplets on the counter, clear a dry spot first so you do not have to hold the lid while twisting the jar.
If the product has a thin cover or seal, see which part the directions say to remove first. Lifting the hard surface with the slot to scoop out the balm can damage the twist mechanism. If you cannot tell what to remove, look at the opening diagram again instead of prying parts off.
If removing the outer lid exposes the balm itself and the directions call for the included spatula, the twisting instructions here do not apply. If the balm is too firm to scoop easily, see what to check when cleansing balm is hard as well.
If you want to check the container design before buying, look for a diagram on the box showing what to hold and what to turn. Knowing it comes in a jar does not tell you how it dispenses. The distinction is whether you touch the surface of the balm directly after opening or pick up what comes out on top of the twisting part.
2. Steady the jar and turn it in the indicated direction
A wet jar can be hard to grip, so dry your hands before steadying the body with one hand. Place the other hand on the part identified in the directions. If the top turns, grip its rim without blocking the dispensing slot. Separating what you hold from what you turn before applying pressure helps keep the whole jar from spinning.
If there is a directional arrow, face the dispensing surface up and check which way it points. Look for the marking on the twisting part instead of assuming it turns the way the outer lid opens. If the jar does not make it clear, check the box or enclosed directions. Some products specify clockwise; follow the direction indicated on your container.
Rather than turning repeatedly from the start, follow any directions for first use or how far to turn, and watch the slot as you turn. Once you see the balm, stop and check the amount. If nothing comes out, use the final section to check the part and direction before applying more force.
If holding the jar makes the twisting part hard to see, set it on a steady surface. Holding the body from the side so it does not turn makes it easier to see from above whether the twisting part moved. If the instructions give a guide to how far to turn it, note where the mark starts so you can keep track even if you change your grip.
3. Check what came out and pick up just what you need
Once balm appears on top, check whether it is the right amount for how you are using it that day. Some products give different turning guidelines for light and regular makeup. It is easier to decide how much to start with by finding the closest use case in your own directions than by reusing the number of turns you learned on another jar.
When the recommended amount is out, pick up the balm resting above the slot with your fingertip. If the product calls for dry hands, dry them before touching it, even if you have just rinsed one hand. There is no need to push your finger or a spatula into the narrow opening.
If it looks like too little, first look at how much has come out. When the balm folds over itself near the opening, you can see its width from above but may have trouble judging the amount. Check the height from the side and add just what you need if it falls short of the guide. This helps you avoid dispensing too much at first.
If you dispense too much, do not push the extra back through the slot with a finger. There is no need to keep spreading a thick coat on your face just because you dispensed more. Follow the product directions for excess balm or residue around the slot, and next time pause as you turn to check what is coming out.
If you notice you need more after you start cleansing, you will have to grip the jar again with balm on your fingers. If the directions distinguish amounts, dispense what you need before spreading it on your face. If you need more partway through, get your hands in a condition to grip the jar without slipping before you dispense again.
4. Spread and rinse as directed after dispensing
If the product calls for dry hands, wait until the indicated step to add water. Spread a little at a time with the pads of your fingers without pressing on areas where it does not spread easily or continuing to rub them. Even if the balm comes out in thin strips, follow the container directions for the amount and the sequence for working it over the skin.
If the product says to add water and work it in before rinsing, separate spreading the balm over the face from adding water. Then rinse as directed. Grinding describes how it dispenses; do not infer from the shape of the container whether you need a second cleanse. Read that part of the directions.
Check the label to see whether you can use it around the eyes or on the lips and whether hard-to-remove makeup calls for a dedicated remover. Even when it says you can use it all over the face, follow any separate conditions for the eye area. If you notice makeup that is hard to remove, check the combination of makeup and cleanser before repeating the same motions.
If you plan to use it in the bath, read before showering whether it calls for dry hands and at what point to add water. Check the amount and how to rinse beforehand so you do not have to open the directions with a handful of balm.
5. If nothing comes out, check where and which way you are turning
If nothing comes out when you turn it, first check that you are not turning the outer lid or the entire jar. Then check whether you are turning in the indicated direction and whether a seal that should come off before first use is still in place. Having an order for these checks helps you see where the process stops without repeating the same turn with the same force.
If it worked last time but is hard to dispense now, distinguish a slipping grip that does not turn the part from a part that turns without dispensing. In the first case, dry your hands and the outside of the jar, then steady it again. In the second case, look for any directions on checking what is left or telling when the product is finished.
If the twisting part catches or there is a gap where there normally is none, check the directions rather than forcing it. Do not put a hard tool into the opening, pry off the twisting part, or try heating it to dispense unless the product directs you to. If you cannot identify the cause, note the condition of the jar and the steps you tried so you can describe them when asking for help.
After use, check the area around the slot as directed and close the outer lid. If you are unsure where to turn when you open it next, look for the arrow and slot first. Watch what comes out as you turn, and check the label for how to spread and rinse the balm. This keeps the dispensing steps separate from the cleansing steps.
