5 Best Cleansing Balms That’ll Help You Feel More Comfortable in Your Skin

Finding the best cleansing balm for your skin can be frustrating since many products in the market claim to be perfect for you but are not.

So, in this article, we made a list of reliable cleansing balms that go beyond simple cleansing.

What is a cleansing balm and why do you need to add it to your skincare routine?

Cleansing balms are creamy, oil-based beauty products that break down dirt, sweat, makeup, SPF, excess oil, and other impurities without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

While it’s nourishing to people with dry skin, it helps those with oily skin remove excess oils, making cleansing balms highly suitable to all skin types.

Cleansing balms also leave your skin softer, smoother, and healthier.

How to use a cleansing balm?

1) Test the product.

Before anything else, test a small amount of your drugstore cleansing balm or DIY cleansing balm on your skin to check if you have any adverse reactions.

To do this, scoop a patch with one finger and melt it by making circular motions on your palm. Make sure your hands are clean and dry before doing so.

Apply the melted balm on your arm and observe any reaction you may have for around five minutes.

2) Melt it between your fingers first.

Scoop a small amount of the best cleansing balm again and warm it between your fingers. Again, make sure that your hands are clean and dry.

3) Apply and massage into your skin.

Once it starts to melt, apply the cleansing balm on your dry face and begin massaging it all over in a circular motion. Gently massage it for around 30 seconds to one minute.

If you have makeup on, lightly massage the area until your makeup breaks down, paying close attention to your eye area.

4) Open your pores with a hot compress.

Wet your face towel or cleansing cloth. Drape it over your face and leave it for a few minutes so that the steam can open your pores.

5) Gently wipe your face.

Wipe away the cleansing balm in gentle sweeping motions to avoid damaging your skin with the cleansing cloth.

If you were wearing makeup, resoak your flannel and repeat this step.

6) Double-cleanse when necessary.

If you’re prone to breakouts and oiliness or have been wearing SPF or waterproof makeup, make sure to double cleanse by following up with a non-oil-based cleanser.

Five best cleansing balms to watch out for

1) Mahina Beaute - Makeup Cleansing Balm

This highly concentrated cleansing balm is excellent not only for waterproof makeup removal but also for wiping off sunscreen and dirt without damaging your skin.

It’s filled with antioxidant-rich jojoba oil, cacao butter, castor oil, and plant-based wax that deeply cleanses and leaves your complexion fresh. This makes it one of the best cleansing balms because it leaves your skin feeling smooth and supple.

Its blend of essential oils, calendula, and eucalyptus can also invigorate and renew your senses. This product is even suitable for all skin types, so you don’t have to worry about using this cleansing balm for sensitive skin.

With Mahina Beaute’s all-natural makeup remover balm, you can maintain your skin’s protective layer as it gently exfoliates and unclogs your pores.

Even if you use waterproof makeup, melting it is an easy task for this cruelty-free cleansing balm.

This makeup remover balm even goes the extra mile by keeping its formula free from potentially harmful PEGs, parabens, and phthalates.

2) Then I Met You - Living Cleansing Balm

As an award-winning cleansing balm, this product is well-known for its gentleness, effectiveness, and good smell.

It contains olive, grape seed, and sea buckthorn oils that are excellent for restoring and nourishing your skin. At the same time, its ingredients can leave your skin naturally brighter and healthier.

3) Juno & Co. - Clean 10 Cleansing Balm

The company prides itself in providing sustainable and environment-friendly products.

Clean 10 Cleansing Balm uses pearl barley sourced from Japan, which contains various components that are exceptionally beneficial in moisturizing, brightening, and cleansing your skin.

It even contains Californian tangerines for a natural pigment and fresh citrus fragrance. Even if you have relatively oily skin, this makeup-melting balm will still leave your skin feeling super soft and clean.

4) Glow Recipe - Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm

Reveal smooth, glowing skin the moment you add this best cleansing balm to your skincare routine.

This product utilizes the naturally enzymatic, actively smoothing, and exfoliating effects of papaya to give you a glowing and baby-soft complexion. Aside from being an excellent cleansing balm for sensitive skin, ophthalmologists have even tested this product to ensure it’s safe for sensitive eyes and skin.

5) Youth to the People - Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm

In addition to our best cleansing balm products above, you can also use Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm every day to quickly dissolve any trace of long-wear and water-resistant formulas while also removing excess oils and impurities.

It’s filled with jojoba seed oil and is rich in essential fatty acids that help balance your skin’s oil production. Its moringa seed oil ingredient is also capable of helping to prevent moisture loss, leaving your skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Is cleansing balm better than micellar water?

Deciding on which of the two is better greatly depends on why you’re using these face cleansers in the first place.

The buttery texture of cleansing balms makes it easier to remove waterproof makeup, although it does take several steps. You also have to emulsify your face with water to make it easier to remove your makeup.

On the other hand, micellar water is a much gentler option.

This product is essentially made up of tiny lipid molecules—called “micelles”—suspended in purified water. This makes micellar water lighter than cleansing balms and contributes to its relatively milder effect.

You can still cleanse your skin with the micellar water since it attracts dirt, sebum, and grime off your skin. It is suitable for light-wearing makeup and not recommended for waterproof makeup. The hassle-free application and ease of makeup removal are the reason why micellar water is commonly associated with simple cleansing.

Can acne-prone skin use cleansing balm?

Yes, acne-prone skin can still use cleansing balms.

Cleansing balms are generally beneficial for this skin type since they soften makeup. It also gently exfoliated the skin, removing residue build-up that clogs pores and worsens the acne cycle.

However, make sure that all ingredients are noncomedogenic, meaning they shouldn’t clog pores and trap dirt. It’s best to avoid cleansing balms with ingredients like lanolin, isopropyl extract, algae extract, and coconut oil.

All in all

The items we have laid out above make the cream of the crop when it comes to the best cleansing balms, in our opinion.

But to get the most hydrating and glowing bang for your buck, we suggest that you choose a cruelty-free cleansing balm.