What’s more, it’s not only dry-skin sufferers who can reap the benefits of a cleansing balm, as they are great mollifiers for sensitive or reactive complexions too. Dr Maybury explains that formulas containing skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E will soothe conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. However, she offers caution when it comes to fragranced balms as they can irritate sensitivities. And if you're acne-prone, head for something that contains non-comedogenic ingredients like jojoba and squalane that'll keep congestion at bay. How should you use a cleansing balm? as that first step. Then Naturium, the affordable brand by the internet’s skincare mom Susan Yara, launched in the UK and I just had to try their Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm. It’s infused with artificial fragrance, so it could be potentially irritating for those with sensitive skin. That said, there are a few ingredients to steer clear of, too — primarily depending on your skin type. “If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for non-comedogenic products,” Tavernise says, noting to avoid coconut oil, lanolin, algae extract, and isopropyl myristate — which she says are great for dry skin but can clog pores and worsen breakouts on oily complexions. “If you have sensitive skin, avoid any balms with ingredients that can dry out and irritate the skin like alcohol and salt.”

The cleansing balm provides a deep, hydrating cleanse that leaves skin feeling soft and supple. Banila Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm is free form parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, alcohol, or artificial coloring. BANILA CO is ideal for use on all skin types, including those with sensitive skin. With its hypoallergenic formula, you can be sure that the Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Nourishing will be gentle and nourishing on your complexion. One thing to note, though, is that because it’s infused with so many essential oils, it does feel a bit oily. Our tester has oily, acne-prone skin and enjoyed using it, albeit sparingly. She thinks it's best suited for those with normal to dry skin. Established in 2006, Banila Co evolved with the mission to revolutionise skincare practices while catering to the lifestyle needs of today’s women. With a firm held belief in the philosophy that “gorgeous skin is the first step to a flawlessly fierce face” Banila Co pride themselves on setting new beauty trends with their revolutionary skincare formulas. Delivery timescales are estimated and could be affected if your parcel is very heavy or delayed by Customs entry procedures.

That’s not to say that cleansing balms aren’t beneficial for dry skin, too, though. “Since cleansing balms are rich in nourishing oils, they are especially great for dry skin, and you do not have to worry about them drying out or stripping the skin,” Dr. Hammerman says. This product is quite dense at first, so you’ll need to spend some time massaging it between your hands before using. Where many cleansing balms begin firm, this one is creamy from the get-go, which our tester adores. “I was really impressed with how soft this felt on my fingers and face,” she says. “I felt like it was the perfect balance of oil and balm and was very effective at removing sunscreen and makeup — even waterproof. Rub-proof graphic eyeliner didn't stand a chance against this cleansing balm.”

I’ve always been a fan of a double cleanse – the first to remove make up and SPF, the second to go deeper and remove sweat, bacteria and old skin cells – but until recently, I was using an oilIt effectively removes makeup, SPF, and grease, and we loved how seamlessly it transitioned from a balm to an oil to a milky consistency—it made using it foolproof. Because the formula isn’t overly oily, isn’t dry and crumbly, and doesn’t contain exfoliating acids, it’s a great choice regardless of your skin type. It’s effective and soothing, and the formula feels luxurious thanks to the gorgeous texture, but it is quite pricey compared to other similar options on the market, which is why we're naming it our runner-up. The best part? It’s super hydrating, too. “I have dry skin — like, DRY, dry skin,” our tester says. “I haven't tried many cleansers that don't leave me feeling stripped (yes, even cleansing balms), but this one left me feeling soft with some of the most minimal drying that I've ever experienced. I'm a huge fan.” Before ditching your tried-and-true makeup, though, consider switching up your skincare routine to include a cleansing balm. After all, these cleansers are top-tier when it comes to removing long-lasting makeup. Often formulated with hydrating oils and waxes, cleansing balms are masterful at melting away stubborn makeup (SPF and mascara included), and will deeply cleanse the skin from impurities without leaching away its natural sebum. Yes, they’re super hydrating and won’t create that notorious tightening effect – even on oily skin types. What skin type works best with a cleansing balm? If you love the ritual of a double cleanse and want to add a cleansing balm to your routine, look no further than the Wander Beauty B.O.M Voyage Cleansing Balm. Designed with a texture similar to petroleum jelly, the balm emulsifies effortlessly into skin to remove all non-waterproof makeup and sunscreen. “The texture makes it easier to rub around the eyes, but it didn’t remove my waterproof mascara,” admits our tester. Though she wasn’t able to double cleanse during the test, she thinks this product would be the perfect first step to any cleansing routine because it left her skin feeling extremely soft. “This would work great as part of a team of products, but individually, I think you could find better out there.”

While we love a foam, cream or gel face wash for an extra-deep cleanse, there's one type of cleanser that may have been overlooked when it comes to melting make-up. Enter: cleansing balms.

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Beyond its ease of use, our tester also says that this cleansing balm is incredibly hydrating. “This cleanser has been fantastic for me because it thoroughly cleans without drying out my skin — my complexion actually feels more moisturized and supple after using it,” she shares. Raspberry leaf extract contains antioxidants that help protect skin from damage. It repairs the skin. Though our tester didn’t have the best experience, we felt it was important to mention it because many of our editors swear by this balm and think it’s still a stellar option. Beautiful light weight cleansing bal. It doesn't leave an oilly residue but does leave your skin fealing super soft. Fantastic for gently removing make upvincluding waterproof make up Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has many cleansing balms, including several on this list. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.