unpaid/sample] It’s almost impossible to keep up with the new skin care launches that I thought might have showed signs of abating by now but I was drawn to Juno by the simplicity of it (and ease of testing, if I’m honest). Juno Skin Review This product helped me with my oily skin, which is interesting to me because [I wouldn’t expect to] fight oily skin with a slightly oily feeling product,” she says. “After cleansing, my skin felt so smooth and soft. Usually, it feels tight after washing it with my normal cleanser, but with this, there was no tightness — just soft, supple skin,” she marvels. This cleanser was effective at removing SPF, foundation, eyeshadow, and mascara (non-waterproof) in one go. We applied it to dry skin and then removed it with a warm, damp towel — no rinse necessary. Sometimes, formulas similar to this can leave makeup smudged around the eye area, but we were pleasantly surprised by how well this one dissolved and lifted dark pigments. That being said, as someone with sensitive, oily & acne-prone skin I’m very selective with skincare.

When it's time to remove the day's makeup — and dirt, oil, and everything else you don't want to go to sleep wearing — a cleansing balm may be a great addition to your nighttime routine. "A cleansing balm is an oil-based formula that helps break down even the most stubborn makeup without any tugging," L.A.-based makeup artist and content creator Ourfa Zinali tells PEOPLE Tested. "It does the same thing a cleansing oil does, however, it's less messy; think of them as sisters. It can also be used on bare skin to remove any impurities, SPF, etc. at the end of your day." JUNOCO you might know them as JUNO & Co, but they recently changed their name to JUNOCO, which is a new-generation beauty brand. Problem is, I love makeup. So I had to find a middle ground. What I needed was a simple, everyday solution to remove my waterproof mascara and concealer with an ease reminiscent of Mulan wiping off a full face of makeup with her sleeve. And that's how I found out about cleansing balms. They are somewhat similar to bar soap, but softer and more nourishing to the skin—the texture is like a tub of cleansing oil that has solidified. When rubbed onto a dry face, cleansing balms instantly melt away all traces of the beauty products you slathered on that morning. With a little water, that oil transforms into a milky texture, leaving you with a fresh, impossibly clean face. Unlike surfactant-based cleansers (those which foam up), cleansing balms are non-irritating and won’t dry out your skin, compromise its moisture barrier, or disrupt its pH. The stand out (so far) is the cleansing balm with only ten ingredients but delivers a perfect cleanse. Juno is founded in California and is 100% focussed on Gen Z (approx up to age 25) hence a big TikTok presence and a collaboration with Spongebob Squarepants (waitlist of 63K apparently) that put them in front of the eyes of their target audience. It’s been growth ever since and can only be a matter of time before its ready for sale. Juno Skin ReviewYou don’t have to use them for just cleansing, either. “I love applying a balm to dry skin and leaving it on for 20 minutes as a mask to give my dry skin a little TLC,” Tavernise says. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

Makeup and grime easily melted away, though some waterproof mascara remained and needed a separate eye makeup remover to fully get off. "I've used other cleansers before that do take off the same mascara without fail. However, I would use this balm before those because of how well it [moisturizes]," our tester says.

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Follow with the JUNOCO Clarifying Cleansing Powder for the ultimate double cleanse. Follow with your favorite serums, moisturizer, and SPF. Things To Consider Bacteria, pollution, and dirt easily cling onto your skin throughout the day, and if the proper steps aren’t taken to remove them, it could lead to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and acne. Before even trying it, I loved the light citrus fragrance from California tangerines — it’s a dream. Not only was the consistency smooth leaving our skin super hydrated, but we were also impressed by how well it worked to completely melt away even waterproof mascara without needing to rub the eye area. It effectively cleansed excess oil and didn’t leave our skin feeling taut or dehydrated. It 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.

Siena Gagliano is an associate editor who writes beauty at Cosmopolitan and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing skincare stories, like the best retinol body creams and the top cellulite creams. She regularly tests and analyzes cleansing balms on her own skin for efficacy while working with the industry’s top dermatologists to assess new treatments, formulas, and products. To summarise my JUNO Skin Cleansing Balm review, I think the cleansing balm is great! I really love the fresh scent, how easy it is to apply, how the formula turns into an oil, and easily removes all my makeup and SPF. In addition to how well it removed makeup, we were so pleased that it didn't feel stripping on those of us with dry skin, nor did it feel greasy on oily skin. It cleansed beautifully while leaving our skin feeling comfortable and looking glowy and hydrated.

Cleansing balms can also do double duty and improve the look of your skin: At the 2023 Grammy Awards, makeup artist Kristine Studden used a cleansing balm in creating Maren Morris's Grammy glow. "I love how it leaves the skin clean, soft, and supple without drying," Studden told PEOPLE. Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Cleanser: This Drunk Elephant Cleanser has more of a similar formula to the Fresh Soy Cleanser, as it’s lightweight and gel-like, but it’s still very nice, non-stripping and cleansing the face. So if you don’t mind a thinner formula, you will really like this!While this cleansing balm is free of synthetic fragrances, it’s naturally scented with ginger root, mandarin, and neroli oils, so expect a fresh, albeit strong, scent when you twist this skincare savior open. Of all the cleansing balms available, there are plenty of inexpensive options. In fact, some of our experts' favorites are not the higher priced brands. "As a dermatologist who also formulates skincare products, I think a wide variety of products, from over-the-counter drugstore brands to medical-grade skincare, can be effective," says Mona Mislankar, MD, FAAD, a board certified dermatologist and co-founder of Oath MD. "The more costly it is does not tell us much about the product at all; the formulation is the most important." Ingredients This balm is delivered differently than others we tested as it comes in a tube rather than your typical pot. When first applied, it has the consistency of a gel-cream moisturizer, but as it's rubbed in, it has a clear, buttery texture that melts down into the skin, despite being completely oil-free. JUNOCO Cleansing Balm works by melting away dirt, makeup residue, and even stubborn sunscreen – all without stripping your skin of its essential oils.