The Tamesis
Ask any expert and they’ll tell you the cardinal rule of skin care is thorough cleansing—and using the best cleansing balm can make the process even easier. Unlike the serum gels and plush cleansers you might be used to, these balms whip plant oils into a semi-solid blend (similar to cleansing oils, but more solid) that removes dirt, oil, impurities, and makeup. However, there is a problem. Cleansing balms are best used as the first step in a double cleanse rather than as a one-time step in your face-washing ritual.
FashionFavorite cleansing balm
Clinique Makeup Remover Cleansing Balm
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Elemis Collagen Cleansing Balm
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Juno & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm
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“As a first step, a cleansing balm helps remove oil-soluble skin care products like makeup, while a regular water-based cleanser removes dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells that remain on the skin’s surface,” double board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, tells us Fashion. Below, we take a look at what experts and editors think are the best makeup-melting cleansers for leaving skin cleaner and softer than ever.
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Best for sensitive skin: Clinique makeup remover cleansing balm
- why we like it: This creamy balm transforms makeup removal from a tedious task into a relaxing ritual. Its saffron seed oil base cuts through even stubborn waterproof formulas while imparting a bright, dewy finish. “I love how quickly it melts makeup and leaves skin soft,” professional makeup artist Brielle Pollara previously told us Fashion. For best results, professional makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre recommends warming the balm with your fingertips before applying it to your face, massaging in gentle circular motions. Contact lens wearers can use this product with confidence—it’s ophthalmologist-tested and approved, as well as dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin.
- Editing experience: “This is my go-to for heavy cleansing. Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm does just that – effortlessly removes dirt, oil, and debris from your skin without the risk of irritation.” —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
- Main ingredients: Safflower seed oil, tocopherol
- fragrance: No
- size: 200ml/6.7oz, 125ml/3.8oz, 30ml/1oz
Best for mature skin: Elemis collagen cleansing balm
- why we like it: Elemis’ luxurious balm combines botanical algae and essential oils with antioxidant-rich ingredients for anti-aging benefits. While it’s particularly suitable for mature skin, its appeal applies to different skin types as well. The formula changes on contact with water, transforming from a cream to a silky, oily texture that easily dissolves impurities. Venter considers it one of her favorites, praising its indulgent feel. “Elemis’ cleansing balm is more like a spa ritual,” she previously told Fashion. “It transforms from a rich balm to an oil, then emulsifies into a nourishing lotion that dissolves stubborn makeup while conditioning the delicate eye area.”
- Main ingredients: Padina pavonica (brown algae), elderberry oil, star flower oil, sweet almond oil, lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus
- fragrance: Yes (naturally derived)
- size: 100 g
