We appreciated that this gel-like cleansing balm felt soft and comforting on our skin, but it wasn’t oily enough to effectively break down and remove makeup. After researching highly-rated options, we selected nearly two dozen to take home and use over the course of two weeks. Once we read the manufacturer's instructions, we used the products as directed to remove makeup, SPF, and dirt at the end of the day. For the purpose of this test, we did not follow up with another cleanser as part of a double cleansing routine, although this is often recommended. After using their cleansing balm, each tester evaluated and rated it based on consistency, oiliness, hydration, cleansing ability, and appearance, and those that scored highest appear on this list. You might think that if you have oily skin, cleansing balms would be too heavy or oily for you—but that’s not necessarily true. According to Dr. Castilla, they make for great makeup removal options regardless of your skin type. However, she says that those with oily skin should implement a double cleansing routine and follow up with their regular cleanser after using a cleansing balm. Cleansing and makeup removal are likely the most tedious steps in your skincare routine—but find a great cleansing balm, and suddenly you’ll trade several minutes of harsh scrubbing for just a moment of gentle cleansing. Yep, you heard that right—you can combine two steps in one (kind of), to painlessly remove a day’s worth of makeup and grime.

Outdoor Home & Kitchen All Outdoor Raised Garden Boxes Garden Hoses Gas Grills Beach Towels Solar Pool Covers Grilling Accessories Cleansing balms are also great for indulging in a spot of facial massage, which in itself delivers a wealth of skin-boosting benefits. By sculpting your cheeks and jawline and stimulating lymphatic drainage – in turn, boosting blood flow – facial massage encourages relaxation and skin rejuvenation, helping to combat ageing, acne, sinus pressure and much more. Computers Tech All Computers Laptops Gaming Laptops Laptops for College Students Computer Monitors Ergonomic KeyboardsThough it could feel a bit more hydrating on dry skin, it's certainly not drying or stripping by any means. The balm melted, emulsified, and transformed into a milky consistency within seconds to cleanse the face and leave it feeling balanced. It's a great option for a wide range of skin tones and the multi-use aspect really adds to the value. Cleansing balms in general are great for people with dry skin due to their hydrating formulas, but they’re certainly not all created equal. While some have drier, more crumbly textures, others—like this one—are richer and more oily. Formulated with a blend of nourishing oils, like avocado, jojoba, and clove leaf oils, it’s no surprise that this formula is pretty oily on the skin. At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Hair Care Wellness All Hair Care Shampoos Purple Shampoos Thinning Hair Head Shavers Flat Irons Hair Dryers

Cleansing balms are cleansers that use oils and emollients to remove dirt, makeup, and buildup from the day without the need for harsh scrubbing," says board-certified dermatologist Carmin Castilla. "They are able to cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural oils and damaging your skin barrier." While most skin types will still want to go in with your usual face wash after using a cleansing balm, these formulas make the entire getting unready process so much easier. Oral Care Wellness All Oral Care Electric Toothbrushes Toothpastes Whiteners Floss Mouthwashes Water Flossers Aside from some textural inconsistencies in the form of little clumps (they did dissolve during application), it easily broke down makeup and left our skin feeling calm and balanced. It effectively broke down all face and eye makeup—aside from waterproof mascara, which we needed to use a warm cloth to fully remove—and it didn’t feel stripping or too greasy on the skin. We also noticed a reduction in facial rednessover the period that we tested this product because it completely removed the need to harshly rub skin to remove makeup and sunscreen. Unlike similar products we've used in the past that left our oily skin feeling even more oily, we loved that this cleansing balm left the face feeling clean, balanced, and hydrated. Those of us with dry skin also loved how gentle and hydrating it felt while still providing the adequate cleanse we needed. It takes very little effort to remove a full face of makeup, has a nourishing formula, doesn’t leave a greasy residue behind, and is affordable, making it a product we can't recommend enough. Cleansing balms are highly effective at breaking down makeup and buildup without leaving the skin feeling dry or stripped. “There’s this idea that two things that are more similar are going to be attracted to each other, so when we think of makeup, a lot of formulas are oil-based, so that’s why using an oil-based cleanser can be beneficial because like attracts like,” says Shah. “It’s going to be more effective at removing makeup products.”This cleansing balm is incredibly well-loved in the beauty community, and its popularity is absolutely justified. The most notable thing about it is its heavenly texture—it’s like a hybrid of a solid balm and a cream, making it both pillowy soft, and workable. It’s formulated with a blend of nine different hydrating oils, ensuring that it won’t strip the skin of moisture as it does its job.

Award-winning luxury skincare products by British brand ELEMIS are known and loved by customers worldwide. Its innovative blend of aromatherapy and science has made ELEMIS one the most trusted skincare and wellness brands in the UK today. A great selling point of cleansing balms is that they’re effective on all skin types – especially the dry and dehydrated. But what’s unique about Elemis cleansing balms? It’s all in the texture. Starting off as a solid balm, the formula effortlessly glides onto the skin as an oil and moisturises as a cleansing milk. Unlike your classic face washes that either foam or lather, cleansing balms have a more solid base formula when at room temperature,” says Dr. Pooja Sodha, board-certified dermatologist and director of the center for laser and cosmetic dermatology at George Washington University (GW) Medical Faculty Associates. “Because it’s an oil and emulsifier mixture [in one], it goes on smooth and removes dirt, grime, and makeup while hydrating skin and not stripping it or disrupting the pH.” A balm cleanser should be the first step in your skincare routine – think of it as a makeup remover with benefits. Most cleansing balms work best when applied to dry skin: simply take a small dollop, massage it into your face, and add water to loosen. Once you’re done, a balm is best removed using a damp flannel or muslin cloth, before following up with your favourite water-based cleanser and creams. Can I use a cleansing balm every day?

Whether you’re wearing make-up or embracing your bare faced beauty, you have sensitive skin or an oily complexion, Elemis Cleansing Balms might just be your new go-to. Consistency: Some cleansing balms are very rich and buttery, while others are more lightweight in texture. Dry and sensitive skin types should look for richer textures as they’ll be more moisturizing, while normal, combination, and oily skin types should look for lighter, creamier consistencies. Ultimately though, it will come down to personal preference.

SKIP AHEAD The best cleansing balms of 2023 | Cleansing balm benefits | How to shop for cleansing balms Skin Care Wellness All Skin Care Moisturizers Mineral Sunscreens Sunscreens for Kids Sunscreens for Dark Skin Acne Teen Acne Rosacea SPF Lip Balms Under Eye Patches While we (and most of the beauty community) highly recommend it, there are a few things that could be improved on. First, it’s not ideal for breaking down waterproof makeup—it requires some rubbing to fully remove mascara and stubborn makeup. The texture can also be slightly clumpy—when you apply it to your skin, it doesn’t melt evenly. However, we think the pros far outweigh the cons, so it’s absolutely a product we recommend. Though we adored the consistency of this popular cleansing balm, we found that it left those with dry and combo skin feeling a bit dry and stripped. Look for ingredients that suit your needs. On top of oils and butters, cleansing balms have other beneficial skin care ingredients, including but not limited to ceramides, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and more. Decide what your skin goals are and go from there — for instance, if you’re looking to strengthen your skin barrier, look for a cleansing balm that contains ingredients like ceramides and vitamin E.

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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?