Fun fact: it’s been about a decade since I bought a make-up wipe. While that’s not the kind of trivia that will get a party started, it’s a personal victory for a daily make-up wearer like me. Ever since I discovered cleansing balms, my once costly wipe habit has become obsolete.
They’ve been staging a takeover of my bathroom cabinet as I try tub after tub, looking for formulas that don’t leave a film behind. The best cleansing balms magnetise oils to remove make-up and SPF and clean skin without it feeling stripped, but take it from me – they take a good deal of trial and error to find.
A cleansing balm combines oils and emollients as a means to clean the skin. While they often start off solid, they emulsify in contact with water to become a milky liquid that is easily rinsed away and will get all your make-up off in one go – but if you like a double cleanse, think of cleansing balms as the first step.
“The beauty of a cleansing balm – especially one rich in oils – is that it actually works the skin rather than against it,” says storied celebrity make-up artist Rose Marie Swift. “Oil attracts oil, so a balm breaks down excess sebum, make-up, and SPF better than a water-based cleanser would – and without stripping your skin’s natural barrier.”
Oil-based cleansing balms are also attracted to hydrophobic components in waterproof mascaras, so compared to regular cleansers, they are far superior at dissolving heavy eye make-up. Using cleansing balms is simple: warm them in the palms of your hands before massaging them over your face. Then, apply water and continue massaging, and any residues on the face will melt away when rinsed.
Contrary to popular belief, cleansing balms can be beneficial for all skin types. On my oily, acne-prone skin, well-chosen formulas help to draw out excess oil and, crucially, don’t cause pimples. Swift confirms that “even oily and breakout-prone skin can benefit – people don’t realise that drying out the skin only triggers more oil production.” In fact, she says high-quality balms are a must-try for every skin type. “Dry skin loves the hydration. Sensitive skin is calmed by the nourishing oils. It’s all about choosing the right ingredients and avoiding pore-clogging junk.”
Dermatologist Dr Mazin Al-Khafaji advises that good cleansing balms should protect the pH of the skin. “The ideal pH of the skin is between 4.5 and 5.5. This acidity helps maintain the skin’s protective barrier, known as the acid mantle, which guards against harmful bacteria, fungi, and environmental aggressors,” he explains. “Deviations from this range can make the skin more prone to dryness, irritation, and infections.” So it’s worth checking the label for options that are pH neutral.
“Also, you want to see real, raw, unrefined oils – none of that overly processed stuff,” Swift asserts. “Cold-centrifuged or virgin coconut oil, jojoba, buriti… those are nutrient-dense and packed with antioxidants. You also want to stay away from synthetic fragrances that can irritate the skin. A good balm should melt effortlessly and rinse clean without leaving a heavy, waxy film.”
Interested? I put several formulas to the test to wipe out the waxy-residue culprits. Scroll on for the best cleansing balms I’ve tried this year.
Pro Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm
- Why it’s -approved: This classic cleanser is definitely best for those with a drier skin type than mine, but it’s a cleansing balm I can appreciate all the same. Whipped with indulgently fragrant essential oils, it makes a spa moment every morning – the floral notes envelop the senses, which is worth noting if you’re picky about scent. With a shea butter base and hydrolysed collagen, it’s super conditioning on skin and feels as though it’s locked in moisture before you put the rest of your skincare on.
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Why it’s -approved: Caroline Hirons’ beloved cleansing balm comes in both a fragranced and fragrance-free formula. The rich, nourishing texture transforms the first step in our skincare routines into an indulgent, luxury experience, dissolving long-wearing, stubborn make-up, SPF and the like without the need for rough scrubbing. It is powered by a skin barrier-supporting lipid complex, carrot root extract, carrot seed oil and beta-carotene to protect the skin and treat complexions prone to dryness and dehydration with a deep but kind-to-skin, moisture-enriching cleanse.
La Mousse OFF/ON Foaming Cleanser
- Why it’s -approved: If you’re looking for a one-and-done cleansing balm, this is it. To be exact, it’s more of a mousse which emulsifies into a foam and lifts all residue from the skin, in a squeeze tube that’s ideal for travelling with. Whether it’s heavy make-up or greasy SPF, the luxurious lather here gets rid of it all without you needing a second cleanse. Sure, it’s a splurge, but the kind you won’t regret on account of how well it removes make-up and softens skin. Deploying barrier-building niacinamide and water lily as it gets to work, it leaves my face feeling uncannily supple. International make-up artist Jamie Coombes is also a fan: “It’s set apart by its skin-respect technology,” he says of how the formula works so well. “It cleanses thoroughly while preserving the skin’s pH and moisture barrier – making it suitable for daily use, even on sensitive skin.”
- Why it’s -approved: Another balm that ticks my boxes for its texture, this one is a winner on the ingredients front, too. The INCI list reads like a checklist of superfoods (think: moringa, turmeric, goji and acai berry), all of which confer antioxidant benefits to the skin. This is so key when you’re washing polluted grime from a day in the city away – it neutralises free radicals that age cells in the skin. I recommend working this one into the palms before you apply it to the face, as it’s pretty solid in the pot, but works well when warmed up.
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: This pH-neutral balm has a gel texture unlike any other I have tested, and that’s a big part of what makes it so pleasant to use. Free from any synthetic fragrance, it’s unproblematic when it comes to removing waterproof mascara and eyeliner, so there are no tears at the sink. It is also host to smart peptides, which promise to keep skin plump – which I welcome as someone guilty of rubbing hard around the eyes to get rid of make-up residue. Happily, this one takes care of the latter by quickly turning into a serum-like milk, and offers a silky soft towellette which wipes it all off without a trace.
Makeup Melt Botanical Cleansing Balm
- Why it’s -approved: Supremely hydrating, this shea butter-based balm is infused with aloe and hyaluronic acid, and calls on a blend of botanical oils to do all the dissolving. Those lend a clean, uplifting scent I often crave when cleansing – all the better for being from a natural source. While it melts make-up away, it is nourishing, with a proprietary lipid complex incorporated to fortify your moisture barrier. The result here is not exactly a film, but a face that feels like it has added protection on it after you rinse – making this one ideal for dry and dehydrated skin types.
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