Cleansing balms are a perfect way to remove makeup without letting the skin dry. Check out the 13 best cleansing balms of 2023 expert-approved cleansing balms.
We're willing to guess that you've struggled at some point in your life to get rid of your makeup if you regularly use long-wearing products like liquid eyeliner, waterproof mascara, and full-coverage foundation. That's fantastic news since it implies you've finally found products that deliver on their all-day promises. Makeup removal has never been easier or more effective than with this new solution, which also leaves skin feeling smooth and supple.
You've undoubtedly used foaming, gel, liquid, and cream varieties of makeup remover before. As part of the next generation of revolutionary cleanser formats intended to suit needs not addressed by existing versions, cleansing balms have recently been introduced to the market. Cleansing balms are a type of cleanser that is typically solid at room temperature but melts on the skin when it is at or near body temperature.
Cleansing balms are effective in removing dirt, oil, and cosmetics — even sunscreen and heavy makeup including waterproof mascara when massaged into the skin because they are often buttery and oily in texture and mainly composed of plant oils and fats, such as fatty acids or their derivatives and waxes. In contrast to soaps and detergents, cleansing balms won't dry out your skin or strip it of its natural oils, making them ideal for people with dry skin. In addition to being effective at both cleansing and removing makeup, cleansing balms are also cost- and time-efficient. Cleansing balms are more hydrating and effective than standard cleansers since they are made with oils and hydrating components. Cleansing balms are a great choice, particularly during the colder months, because they help balance oil production while also removing built-up oil, grime, and makeup.
To begin, we spent a week researching the best cleansing balms on the market. We tested them on several criteria, including how it feels on the skin, it's cleansing abilities - did the balm remove all the traces of makeup, and how the skin feels after removal. We've compiled a list of the 13 Best Cleansing Balms for Every Skin Type and the Best Makeup-Removing Balms. They transform your cleansing routine into a relaxing experience and easily break down makeup traces.
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Melting Balm
Neutrogena's Makeup Remover Melting Balm is a must-have, according to reviews from thousands of satisfied customers. This product is more like a lotion than a traditional cleansing balm. This is a godsend for us because it has a silky texture that allows it to sink readily into the skin, and we have a hard time finding moisturizing creams that are suitable for her oily complexion. Its one-of-a-kind formula keeps skin soft and supple.
This deluxe Makeup Remover Melting Balm will leave your skin feeling hydrated. While massaging the vitamin E-infused solution into your skin, you can watch as all trace of your makeup disappears. This nourishing balm to oil will help your skin look and feel great, even without makeup. Gently removing dust, filth, and pollution along the way that even waterproof makeup can't stand up to. Makeup can be easily removed by massaging the gentle cleansing balm, without stripping the skin. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Melting Balm fully removes makeup and sunscreen and contains vitamin E. Quickly and easily, just wipe off with a moist towel to reveal skin that is instantly smoother and more conditioned. Skin feels extremely soft and clean.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Because of its unique formula, which begins as a balm, emulsifies into an oil, and finally becomes a cleansing milk, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm has gained multiple five-star evaluations. Rose and mimosa waxes, as well as elderberry, starflower, and optima oils, are included in this famous washing balm. Furthermore, it contains nine essential oils, including lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus, to relax and nourish skin while washing. It emulsifies into oil before converting into cleansing milk that quickly removes makeup from the skin.
For the ultimate cleansing experience, Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm morphs into three distinct textures. As a balm, it moisturizes, as a cleansing oil, it easily remove dirt and oil, and as a cleansing milk, it hydrates. Rose and Mimosa waxes are additionally infused with Elderberry, Starflower, and Optimega Oils in the mineral-free recipe. Its one-of-a-kind blend of 9 essential oils, including Lavender, Chamomile, and Eucalyptus, smells like heaven in a jar and is designed to awaken the senses. The skin feels soft, calm, and extremely supple. The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm presents well for all skin types.
The ultra-nourishing cleansing balm effortlessly dissolves makeup, daily pollutants, and impurities without depriving the skin of moisture. It has the capacity to change your bathroom with its spa-like smell thanks to its unique blend of nine essential oils.
Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm
We appreciate a simple composition that is designed to provide squeaky-clean, ultra-hydrated skin, which is exactly what Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm provides. It works wonders for dehydrated skin because it contains hydrating components such as vitamin E, jojoba oil, and avocado oil, to mention a few. It's produced with only a few ingredients and is extremely hydrating.
Get rid of single-use cleansing wipes. Instead, use this vitamin E-infused balm to remove makeup and pollutants without robbing your skin of moisture. This washing balm smells like a spa from the moment you open the jar. All thanks to a small amount of eye-safe, naturally antibacterial eucalyptus and clove leaf oil—no artificial aroma. The oil-based balm softens as you massage it into your skin with moist fingertips, forming a light, soothing milk that rinses clean with no greasy residue, which may have turned you off cleansing balms in the past. All of the double-cleansers out there adore it as a first cleanse. It contains jojoba oil, and other natural ceramides and is designed specifically for sensitive and irritated skin.
Paula's Choice Omega Complex Cleansing Balm
Paula's Choice Omega Complex Cleansing Balm is superior for several reasons. To begin with, it comes in a squeeze tube, making it more practical than the majority of the other cleansing balms on this list. It's also fragrance-free, so it's very soft, making it ideal for all skin types, but especially sensitive/reactive skin. It's odorless, comes in a tube for easy application, and leaves skin feeling as fresh as can be.
If every cleansing balm leaves your vision cloudy and gives your contact lenses hell, try this cleansing balm from Paula’s Choice. It contains only a few light emollients and emulsifiers that won't get trapped in your lashes or eyes after rinsing—especially if you double cleanse. Furthermore, it is completely free of scent and essential oils, so there is no risk of irritating side effects, even on sensitive skin.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Makeup-melting balm cleans deeply and totally rinses away. The lightweight makeup remover swiftly removes stubborn eye and face makeup, as well as sunscreens. When applied, it transforms from a firm balm to a silky oil. Cleans thoroughly and totally rinses away. Gently removes pollution stress so skin looks younger and lasts longer. The Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm blends nourishers and exfoliators for a covetable multi-tasking formula suitable for sensitive skin and pregnancy-safe regimes, whether removing makeup or double cleansing.
This balm melts into a serum-like consistency that dissolves all types of makeup. To see how effectively it works, I followed up with micellar water and discovered no sign of makeup - it's that good. The key ingredient is safflower seed oil, which is high in linoleic acid and leaves the skin soft and nourished. It effectively breaks up natural oils found on the skin and dissolves difficult-to-remove makeup. This cleansing balm is incredibly popular in the beauty community, and its popularity is completely deserved.
Banila Co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original
The Banila Co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm is a K-beauty staple that is so popular with skin-care enthusiasts that it is available in Clarifying, Nourishing, Original, Purifying, and Revitalizing variants to best suit your skin-care needs. This three-in-one hybrid balm exfoliates, moisturizes, and cleanses the skin while removing makeup, grime, and oil all at once. It also does an excellent job of protecting your skin's barrier, due to a calming blend of flower, root, and fruit extracts like Barbados cherry, safflower, and much more.
Our best-selling Clean It Zero Original was designed to melt away even the most stubborn face and eye makeup. This skin-loving recipe was created with all skin types in mind, and it fully cleanses and moisturizes the skin in one simple step. The ideal starting point for your double-cleansing program!
Youth to the People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm
It's not an exaggeration to say that the Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm is skin-care sunlight that melts into your skin like, well, a dream. You might not often connect "hydration" with cleansing balms, but this one will change your mind. To condition your skin while you cleanse — and long after — Youth to the People's luscious, the mango-scented product is loaded with moisture-boosting heavyweights like oil-soluble hyaluronic acid in three molecular weights, jojoba seed oil, prickly pear, and vitamin C-rich moringa seed oil.
This daily cleansing balm and makeup remover dissolve all traces of long-wear formulations and water-resistant sunscreens while gently eliminating excess oils and impurities. It is PEG-free, rinses cleanly, and leaves skin smooth and nourished without feeling oily. Dream Balm is suitable for delicate skin and is soft enough to use around the eyes. It activates with water and quickly transforms from an oil to milk to remove makeup and build up the skin.
Warm in dry hands until the balm has turned into oil. Massage into dry skin, paying special attention to problem areas. Continue massage with wet hands until the oil emulsifies into milk. To remove, carefully rinse with water. Use on its own or as the first step of a double cleanse. The texture of the balm is velvety and whipped. Bright, fruity, and juicy scent.
Not only does it remove all traces of makeup and skincare, but it also dissolves excess sebum from your skin, which can lead to breakouts and an oily-looking complexion.
Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm
Are you ready to be pampered? To instantly nourish your skin, apply Augustinus Bader's The Cleansing Balm. After dissolving your complexion's built-up hoard of makeup (including waterproof formulas and impurities that have, quite frankly, overextended their stay), this balm-to-milk combination reveals brighter, radiant skin. A nourishing blend of avocado-olive oil, coconut oil, squalane, and vitamin E pampers your skin for optimal hydration and comfort, while the brand's patented TFC8 blend supports your skin cells' natural reparative and regeneration processes and takes care of your healthy skin barrier.
If you want to add a gentle exfoliating component to your cleansing, the luscious balm comes with a 100% cotton muslin cloth, but it works just great with your clean fingertips and dry skin alone. Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm is the perfect balance of oil and balm and was very effective at removing sunscreen and makeup — even waterproof.
E.L.F. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
Holy Hydration from E.L.F. Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm is one of the least expensive alternatives on this list, yet it easily outperforms a cleanser three times its price. This unexpectedly velvety balm contains hydration-attracting hyaluronic acid, barrier-boosting ceramides, and skin-plumping peptides to leave your face feeling thoroughly rejuvenated — never stripped — and works well with all skin types, particularly drier ones. It removes all makeup like a dream.
If you're searching for a basic cleansing balm that will remove your makeup and cost less than your lunch, pick up this Elf one at almost any drugstore. It will dissolve your full face of makeup while softening your skin, and it even comes with its own spatula to make digging into the jar simpler.
Eadem Dew Dream Hydrating Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
This balm is a BeautyKiss favorite since it comes in a compact tube. Unlike other cleansers we've tried, this jelly-to-oil-to-milk mix removes residual makeup, grime, and oil in a single swipe and even passes the towel wipe residue test. The bouncy texture of the balm also doesn't feel filmy or sticky on the skin, and it has a faint, uplifting lemon aroma.
This cleansing balm is one of my personal favorites for my combination complexion since, although being rich and buttery, it does not leave an oily residue on my skin. How? Because it contains a blend of lightweight cleansers and fatty-acid-rich moisturizers that act to dissolve makeup while still rinsing cleanly.
Milk Makeup Hydro Ungrip Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
When it's time to remove waterproof mascara, gel eyeliner, and liquid lipstick, reach for this potent cleansing balm, which dissolves even the most stubborn makeup without requiring you to scrub or scratch. The first two elements in the composition are soybean oil and sunflower seed oil, which, together with the other moisturizing oils in the formula, give it the ability to dissolve all colors and stains while you massage.
Just keep in mind that, due to its oiliness, you'll want to follow it up with your regular cleanser (especially if you have oily skin) to eliminate any leftover residue before moisturizing.
Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
Massage this luscious, sorbet-soft oil cleanser into the skin as the first step in your double cleanses to melt away oil-based pollutants like sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum while nourishing the skin with antioxidants, vital fatty acids, and vitamin E.
To finish your double cleanse ritual and take away makeup water-based impurities, use the Soothing Tea Cleansing Gel, a water-based cleanser. Our oil cleanser has a gentle blend of grape seed, olive, and seaberry oils. With hints of rosemary, papaya, and grapefruit, this is a sensory, aromatic experience that will thrill your senses while leaving your skin soft and clean. Melt away makeup with one move. Massaging a nourishing oil cleanser rich in antioxidants from fruits and seaberries into your skin actually makes a difference.
JUNICO Clean 10 Cleansing Balm
To easily remove makeup, try the Clean 10 Cleansing Balm, a one-of-a-kind oil-based cleanser developed for all skin types. It's multipurpose and made to remove even waterproof makeup. Although there are only 10 components in this cleansing balm, the headliner is the Japanese Barley Magic. In order to control the amount of melanin produced by the skin, this substance can be used as a vitamin and antioxidant source. Improvements in the skin's overall appearance and the decrease in dark patches fall under this category. The applied technology provides a thorough cleansing without disturbing the skin's natural oils. It removes every speck of makeup and leaves skin feeling soft and glowy.
What's the point of doing a second round of the bathroom sink? - Day-to-day environmental aggressors including bacteria, pollution, and grime can cause premature skin aging, hyperpigmentation, and acne if not removed properly. If your face is prone to breakouts, you should double-cleanse every night to get rid of the dirt, oil, and germs hiding in your pores.
Pearl barley's hydrating and brightening properties can aid in the repair of sun damage and hyperpigmentation caused by environmental factors. Vitamin E is also present to further protect and hydrate the skin. That natural fragrance's crisp aroma will transport you to a warm and sunny day in California. They use oranges from California to create a natural color and a clean aroma.
How to choose the best cleansing balm:
Consider your skin type
Though washing balms are more hydrating than gel cleansers, they can still be a fantastic solution for many skin types, not just dry ones. Dermatologist recommends cleaning balms with light oils like jojoba oil and safflower oil, as well as gentle exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, for oily or acne-prone skin.
If you have dry skin, choose washing balms with humectants like glycerin, which "draws water onto the surface of your skin," according to Derma Experts. Choose heavier oils and butter, such as shea butter and avocado oil, and forgo the double wash to leave an occlusive layer to lock in hydration before moisturizing.
Avoid fragrance if you have sensitive skin or eyes
Cleansing balms and oils are infamous for their scents. If you have sensitive skin or eyes, eczema, keratosis pilaris, or rosacea, look for a cleansing balm that doesn’t contain fragrance or essential oils, which can cause irritation, burning, and itching.
Prioritize packaging
If you know that having to dig your hands into a tub of cleansing balm may stop you from removing your makeup, search for one in a tube with a thinner consistency that you can squeeze into your palm. If your cleansing balm comes with a spatula, even better if it's magnetic or stays inside the lid. You can also be the sanitary, environmentally conscious queen that you are by purchasing your own reusable skin care spatula.
How should you use a cleansing balm?
Even though it's tempting to just use a makeup wipe at the end of the day or, even worse, sleep in your makeup, a good cleanse reduces the risk of breakouts and encourages a hydrated, balanced complexion.
Most cleansing balms are solid at room temperature but quickly turn into an oil when they come into touch with water. Derma Experts recommends using a balm to get rid of oil-based pollutants and then a non-drying cleanser to get rid of any traces of the balm.
When using a cleansing balm, you can either massage it into damp or dry skin. The Experts advise using lukewarm water to wash off the balm, as hotter water might irritate the skin and strip it of its natural oils. And if you're looking to unwind in the shower, a cleaning balm with a lot of slip will allow you to give yourself an at-home facial while you wash away the day's grime.
The cleansing balms I've tried seem to accomplish the job, but I have no idea what magic is behind them. When I use a cleansing balm, never leave my skin feeling tight and stripped like it is with other regular cleansers.