Sennen Prickett
Boasting gentle, nourishing and deeply cleansing powers, the best cleansing balms are a must-have step in many people's skincare routines - here's our beauty team's top tried and tested formulas to suit every skin type and budget.
Whatever the extent of your skincare regime, using one of the best cleansers is typically a non-negotiable for most people - whether that be a lightweight gel or one of the best cleansing oils. However, indulgent cleansing balms boast oil-based formulas that make them a great at keeping the complexion healthy and clean, while hydrating and targeting the skin's needs even after rinsing.
"My ultimate motto is that what you take off is more important than what you put on," says Dr. Colette Haydon, dermopharmacist and creator of Lixirskin. "I use an oil or balm to remove make-up and dirt because oil dissolves oil." With all that said, our beauty team have done their duties by trialling a plethora of formulas in order to scout out the best 9 buys that are worthy of making their way into your very own routine.
The best cleansing balms, chosen by our beauty team
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £13 | Key ingredients: Camomile extract | Removes makeup? Yes
When testing The Body Shop cleansing balm, I found the soft, buttery texture quickly acts like oil when worked into the skin. It fully removes stubborn makeup and cleanses the skin, leaving a fresh and glowy finish. A little bit goes quite a long way with this product, so as well as being budget-friendly, it will also last you well. It only takes a few rubs to loosen up any makeup or dirt, and then easily washes away with water without any need for a flannel or cloth. My skin felt extremely clean after using this camomile balm – even the best mascara is no match for its magic. It also has a subtly clean scent that made me feel pampered and relaxed, ideal for the end of the day.
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £49 | Key ingredients: Elderberry oil, starflower oil, padina pavonica | Removes makeup? Yes
Working to deeply cleanse, and remove makeup and impurities, as well as promote a soft and glowing complexion, the Elemis cleansing balm is a perfect all-rounder that will have your every need covered. The whole experience of using this cleansing balm was what made it for me - from the sleek packaging to the luxurious scent and smooth feel of the balm itself, it injected some much-needed pampering into my evening routine. I also found that it only takes a pea-sized amount of product to cleanse my whole face, so it will certainly last you a while. For a more intensive treatment, it can also be used once a week as a nourishing treatment to rival the best face masks.
Reviewed by: Sennen Prickett
RRP: £40 | Key ingredients: Japanese Indigo Extract, Japanese Indigo Extract and Hadasei-3 | Removes makeup? Yes
Tatcha's fragrance-free Indigo Cleansing Balm is definitely the most luxurious formula on the list. Its silky texture effortlessly melts into the complexion, working to gently cleanse the skin without stripping my face of its moisture - which is a big plus as someone with sensitive skin. In fact, the balm left my skin feeling soft, supple and plump. I must admit, it doesn't look like you get a lot of product within the pot, however you only need a small, pea-sized amount to cleanse your entire complexion. While the coin applicator can be a tad fiddly, I appreciate the fact that it is equipped with one for a mess-free application.
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £20.99 | Key ingredients: Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, shea butter, apricot stones | Removes makeup? Yes
This balm worked extremely well at removing makeup and cleansing the skin. My mascara melted away in a few swipes and my makeup came off effortlessly. I did notice it was difficult to remove this cleanser with water alone, instead it necessary to use a muslin cloth to get that truly clean feeling and make sure all traces of makeup were fully gone. Although this may be inconvenient for some, using a warm cloth added to the soothing experience for me. Thanks to the apricot stones it is very soothing and gentle on the face, so you can be sure that any problem areas won't become disturbed by this product. it really does work to heal the skin and leave a smooth, glowing texture.
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £6.40 | Key ingredients: Oat kernel oil | Removes makeup? Yes
I loved how this cleansing balm arrived in a bottle as opposed to a pot, making it not only great for travel, but also saves you from getting messy hands, too. The only problem was that it was fairly tricky to squeeze out of the tube at first - it needed a bit of time to warm up, so it is worth storing it somewhere slightly warmer to allow the product to loosen up. Despite its thicker feeling texture, I found that it melts down in an instant to a gorgeously smooth balm that loosens makeup and dirt quickly and effectively. Its soothing oat ingredients also make it an ideal cleansing balm for sensitive skin, as it soothes irritation and strengthens the skin's moisture levels.
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £32.95 | Key ingredients: Sunflower and ginger root oils | Removes makeup? Yes
This cleansing balm is gentle enough to be used daily on all skin types but powerful enough to remove a full face of makeup with minimal effort - even waterproof makeup will slide off easily with this cleansing balm. This light formula nourishes the skin without feeling heavy, meaning that I found my skin to be clean without that tight feeling that I sometimes get from traditional cleansers. You also don't need much to remove a full face of makeup (something we learned the hard way after taking out a huge spatula-full.) Essentially, this is ideal for every day but with a bit more of a luxury feel than the basic drugstore cleansing balms.
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £60 | Key ingredients: Sesame seed oil, sweet almond oil | Removes makeup? No
This Oskia cleansing balm uses tiny silica and MSM particles that work to gently exfoliate the face, leaving a soft and healthy complexion behind. This cleanser doesn't work as a makeup remover, instead, it stands alone as a specialist cleanser that can be used post makeup removal. This formula can be adjusted to suit your skin type by adding more water to dilute it. However, used in its regular form, it is still extremely gentle and soothing. When testing, I noticed how relaxing this cleansing balm feels on my skin. I found the small particles to be noticeable, but not at all abrasive. After rinsing away just with water, my skin felt extremely soft and nourished with no dryness.
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £36 | Key ingredients: Sunflower seed oil | Removes makeup? Yes
The one gripe I have with cleansing balms is that they usually involve digging my fingers into a pot to scoop out the product, but Jones Road has solved all of our problems. This travel-friendly stick has all the power of other cleansing balms, minus the mess and fuss. It is designed to be rubbed directly onto dry skin and then emulsified with water before rinsing away. When testing, I found that it is effective at removing makeup, in a gentle yet powerful way that left my skin feeling clean afterward. If the stick becomes dirty after using makeup, it can be easily wiped clean and used again. It is a lighter texture than other cleansing balms we have tried, with a smooth and weightless feel on the skin.
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £43 | Key ingredients: Geranium Essential Oil, Rosehip Oil, Shea Butter | Removes makeup? No
Neal's Yard brands this as a 'beauty balm' as opposed to a cleansing balm as its uses go far beyond just cleansing - use it as an exfoliating cleanser, intensive hydrating treatment, and much more. When testing this balm as a cleanser, we found that it's not always suitable to remove makeup. You will need to opt for a different balm to get complexion products and mascara off. However, it works beautifully as a cleansing balm on makeup-free skin that will leave you with an unbelievably soft and nourished complexion. We love to use this cleanser when we want to give our skin an extra bit of TLC and make sure it has been thoroughly cleansed in a gentle and nourishing way.
How we tested the best cleansing balms
A selection of the cleansing balms we tested for this guide
Which cleansing balm you go for will totally depend on your skin type, concerns, and needs. So, when looking for best cleansing balms, we took a variety of factors into account to ensure that we found the best possible options across the board. We looked at the price point and how much product you get for your money, how effective they are at removing makeup and dirt, how easy they are to apply and remove, and how our skin felt afterward. For the ultimate test, we also used each cleansing balm to remove our mascara to truly examine its cleansing powers.
How to choose the best cleansing balm
With an array of cleansing balm options to choose from on the market, we've put together a list of factors that are worth taking into consideration before deciding which formula is the right addition to your skincare routine...
- Skin type - Those with sensitive and dry skin types may benefit from a cleansing balm thanks to their nourishing nature, however those with oily skin may benefit from a lighter, less rich formula.
- Texture - Are you on the hunt for a thicker, indulgent formula or perhaps you're looking for a lighter, fuss-free texture that's easy to apply?
- Ingredients - Keep an eye out for the ingredients within a cleansing balm formula, as they might feature ingredients that help tackle other skin concerns - eg. hyaluronic acid for hydration or niacinamide to help improve skin texture.
- Fragrance - Those with sensitive skin types may prefer to opt for a fragrance-free formula.
- Price - Choose a balm that fits your budget and consider how long-lasting the formula is - eg. you get more bang for your buck out of a luxury buy that only requires a small amount of product.
Your cleansing balm FAQs, answered
Are cleansing balms good for all skin types?
Most definitely. There may be certain ingredients in specific cleansing balms that you will want to go for dependent on your complexion and needs, however cleansing balms work well for any and every skin type - even the most sensitive. "Just make sure you're not using a cleanser that's too harsh for your skin type and you can alter your cleansing routine to suit you," explains Dr Charlotte Woodward, aesthetics doctor at River Aesthetics.
Do cleansing balms clog pores?
If used correctly, a cleansing balm should not clog your pores. As you rinse cleansing balms away after loosening makeup and dirt, the product should not stick around on the skin. In fact, not using an adequate cleanser will most likely result in clogged pores and breakouts. Since cleansing balms are so good at breaking down dirt and debris that has accumulated throughout the day, they do an excellent job at ensuring that pores remain clear.
Is it okay to use cleansing balm everyday?
Wondering how often should you wash your face with a cleansing balm? The answer is daily. "You should cleanse your skin every day, both morning and night!" says Dr Victoria Manning, aesthetic doctor at River Aesthetics. "A lot of people don't know that you should always double cleanse - first to remove makeup, dirt, oils, and the second to cleanse the skin."
A cleansing balm is the perfect first step in your cleansing routine, as it will work to loosen up any makeup or dirt that is on your skin. You should then follow it up with your favorite cleanser to make sure the skin is fully clean. As long as your cleansing balm of choice reacts well with your skin, it is fine - in fact, encouraged - to use it every single day.
