11 best cleansing balms for melting away makeup and dirt, tried and tested
Soft and sumptuous to apply, there’s no denying that cleansing balms turn the famously-arduous task of scrubbing off makeup into a calming, spa-like experience. But as well as feeling luxurious, these potent pots ~do the work~, offering a far more effective way to remove makeup, pre-cleanse, and rid your pores of excess oil than their counterparts. All without leaving your skin parched.
“Cleansing balms typically contain plenty of nourishing ingredients — so they don’t strip the skin and leave it feeling tight in the same way that other types of cleansers might,” explains Jane Foulston, director of award-winning skincare brand Emma Hardie. Designed to emulsify into an oil as you massage them into your skin, expect formulas that are brimming with soothing and hydrating ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and kernel oil — as well as more specific brightening and exfoliating agents, too.
From cult-favourite classics like the best-selling ELEMIS Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm, to the more recent affordable range by The Beauty Crop that seems to have earned the seal of approval from pretty much every single UK beauty creator on TikTok, there are cleansing balms out there to suit all budgets. So, get your muslin cloth ready; we're certain that you’ll find a balm in this GLAMOUR-approved edit that’s absolutely perfect for you.
Meet the experts
- Arash Akhavan, MD — Dermatologist at the Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City.
- Mona Gohara, MD — Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine.
- Jane Foulston — Brand Director and Ambassador for Emma Hardie.
How we tested the best cleansing balms
The GLAMOUR team has collectively tested hundreds of cleansing balm formulas — from trusted classics, to more recently released and trending options. To decide which formulas deserved to be featured in this edit, we looked at everything from whether or not they were particularly suited to a specific skin type or concern, to how effective they ultimately were at removing make-up, and giving your skin that all-important first cleanse.
We also kept an eye out for certain key ingredients, paid attention to whether the formula left our skin feeling particularly hydrated, smooth, or glowy, and made sure to use any products that we tested ourselves for a minimum of four weeks before making our final judgement.
Scroll down to check out our list of all the best cleansing balms…
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
- Best for: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: Padina Pavonica, Starflower Oil, and Elderberry Oil.
- Scented? No.
- Size: 100g.
Why we love it: Formulated with an impressive cocktail of botanicals like smoothing lavender and chamomile, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm takes you straight to the spa. Warm a scoop of product between your palms, massage into the skin, then gently wipe away with a damp cloth or flannel. This product is an iconic best-selling product and an absolute staple in the GLAMOUR office.
“Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm has long been my favourite cleansing balm," adds Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR's Senior European Commerce Editor. “It's gentle on the eyes, leaves my skin feeling nourished, and injects calm into every evening routine.”
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Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm
- Best for: Dry skin types.
- Key ingredients: Rice Extract and Ginseng.
- Scented? No.
- Size: 100ml.
Why we love it: Boasting a soft and sherbert-like texture, this brilliant balm melts into a lovely lightweight oil between your fingers. Packed with nourishing rice extracts and ginseng, the formula provides lasting hydration — while also detoxifying and clarifying the appearance of the skin. The result? A soft, fresh, and moisturised complexion. Best of all, the pot even has a handy built-in spatula for mess-free application.
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Ella & Jo Melt The Day Away Cleansing Balm
- Best for: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: Raspberry Seed Oil, Squalane, Grapeseed, Sunflower and Coconut Oil.
- Scented? Yes.
- Size: 100ml.
Why we love it: As well as dissolving any make-up, dirt and oil, this cleansing balm is packed with hydrating and nourishing natural ingredients like moisturising and balancing squalane, antioxidant-rich raspberry seed oil, and natural ingredients like grapeseed, sunflower, and coconut oil. Which contain heaps of vitamins and omegas, FYI.
"While fragranced skincare products usually irritate my sensitive skin, this Ella & Jo cleansing balm hasn't caused me any issues," says Freelance Commerce Writer, Georgia Lockstone. “Infused with lavender, geranium, rose, mint, and orange, it smells absolutely beautiful, and adds a really luxurious and spa-like feel to my evening skincare regime.”
Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser
- Best for: Oily skin.
- Key ingredients: Marula and Mongongo Oil, Vitamin E, Safflower Oil, and Bamboo Powder.
- Scented? Yes.
- Size: 110g balm, 30g powder.
Why we love it: This buttery balm removes makeup in a flash, and its gently resurfacing formula is what makes it really stand out. Infused with fruit extracts (blueberry, kiwi, and strawberry) to slough off makeup, dirt, and grime, as well as a blend of nourishing oils (think: marula and baobab), your skin will feel baby smooth once you're done double-cleansing. To add an extra level of physical exfoliation, each balm comes with a mini bottle of bamboo powder that you can use once or twice a week for that added exfoliation.
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ESPA Tri-Active Regenerating Calming Cica Cleansing Balm
- Best for: All, but particularly sensitive.
- Key ingredients: Cica, Natural Bio-Retinol, and Cupuacu Butter.
- Scented? Yes.
- Size: 50ml.
Why we love it: This super soothing and calming cleansing balm is particularly good for skin that's prone to sensitivity, redness, and dryness. Boasting a blend of hydrating and nourishing marine actives like winged kelp and phyto collagen, and soothing plant actives extracted from cica and bidens pilosa that help reduce redness, and even out skin texture and tone, it's the perfect cleansing balm for restoring balance to stressed-out winter skin. Plus, it's infused with a gorgeous blend of essential oils to help soothe the senses. Thick and velvety in texture, a little goes a long way — so one small pot is guaranteed to last you a good few months.
Farmacy Beauty Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm
- Best for: Dry skin.
- Key ingredients: Papaya Extract, Sunflower and Ginger Root Oils, and Echinacea GreenEnvy.
- Scented? No.
- Size: 50g.
Why we love it: The combo of key ingredients such as sunflower and ginger root oils in this balm-to-oil Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm absolves skin from waterproof makeup, dirt, oil, and pollution buildup. Papaya extract gently sloughs off dead skin cells, while the brand's patented and exclusive plant — Echinacea GreenEnvy — promotes a smooth and even tone and texture.
The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm
- Best for: Sensitive and acne-prone skin.
- Key ingredients: Oat Kernel Oil, and Colloidal Oatmeal.
- Scented? No.
- Size: 150ml.
Why we love it: The INKEY List has been doing skincare right since day one, and its Oat Cleansing Balm is yet another great launch. Formulated with oat kernel oil to keep skin hydrated, and 1% colloidal oatmeal to reduce redness and breakouts, this luxurious formula will never strip your sensitive skin of that much-needed moisture.
“Traditional cleansers often leave my skin feeling tight and dry — but this budget-friendly balm melts away any make-up without stripping my skin,” says Georgia Lockstone, Freelance Commerce Writer. “Instead of waking up with redness and inflammation, the formula truly nourishes and soothes my skin barrier.”
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e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
- Best for: Dry and combination skin
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, and Peptides.
- Scented? No.
- Size: 56.5g.
Why we love it: Retailing at just £11, e.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm is one of the best affordable drugstore options on this list — but it easily pulls the weight of a cleanser that's three times its price. Packed with hydration-attracting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, barrier-boosting ceramides, and skin-plumping peptides, it leaves your complexion feeling utterly refreshed — and transforms into a nourishing milky texture once applied for easy rinsing.
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- Best for: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: Barrier Lipids, Grapeseed Oil, and Olive Fruit Extract.
- Scented? No.
- Size: 60g.
Why we love it: The ultimate Gen Z skincare brand has treated us to one of the best fragrance-free cleansing balms on the market. Featuring a gentle formula that easily rinses away and helps restore your skin barrier, this cleansing balm is a must for all skin types. Grapeseed oil, sea buckthorn, and olive fruit extract will leave your skin feeling pillow soft post-cleanse, while the addition of niacinamide will help balance the skin and control excess oiliness — making it a super safe balm for oily skin types.
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Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
- Best for: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: Sea Buckthorn Oil, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Persimmon extract, and Vitamin E.
- Scented? No.
- Size: 90g.
Why we love it: Waterproof mascara and liquid eyeliner can be nearly impossible to remove, but Then I Met You's smooth-gliding and hydrating formula makes it seem like a breeze. It melts into your skin like butter and immediately becomes this slick yet lightweight oil that's really easy and enjoyable to work into the skin — without causing any eye cloudiness or irritation to sensitive skin. Packed with antioxidants and fatty acids, it's a truly nourishing formula.
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Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm with Professional Cleansing Cloth
- Best for: All skin types.
- Key ingredients: Moringa Seed Extract, Wild Sea Fennel, and Vitamin E.
- Scented? Yes.
- Size: 100ml.
Why we love it: As well as dissolving any make-up and SPF, this balm uses moringa seed extract to decongest and purify the pores, marine plant extract to boost luminosity, and grapeseed oil to restore suppleness and elasticity. Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, it's a truly nourishing, hydrating, and smoothing formula. Plus, this best-selling cleansing balm even comes with its own super soft micro-fibre cloth that you're supposed to soak in warm water, and use to gently sweep any excess product off your face and neck.
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What is the difference between a cleansing balm and a normal cleanser?
"Cleansing balms are a great first step for removing makeup [and sunscreen] — before using a traditional cleanser to clean the pores out effectively," Arash Akhavan explains. Solid and buttery to the touch, balms boast a high concentration of oils that'll melt away any makeup and residue, while also leaving the skin feeling really soft and nourished. A traditional cleanser will generally have more of a watery or gel-like consistency, and can therefore sometimes feel slightly too stripping on the skin – particularly for those dealing with dryness or sensitivity.
Typically packed with hydrating ingredients like fatty acids, aloe vera, squalane, and hyaluronic acid — as well as enzymes and antioxidants to help wash away any traces of makeup while also strengthening your skin's natural barrier — balms make a great first cleanse. “And sometimes, for extremely dry skin such as with people suffering from eczema, a balm cleanser used alone may help prevent excessive drying for the patient," Arash Akhavan adds.
What skin type is a cleansing balm best for?
There are cleansing balms out there to suit all different skin types — whether dry, sensitive, oily, mature, or normal. But thanks to their high concentration of nourishing ingredients such as essential oils, they're particularly recommended for those with dry or sensitive skin.
How do you use a cleansing balm?
“Cleansing balms are very effective at dissolving heavy face and eye makeup as well as all traces of dirt that has built up throughout the day or night,” says Jane Foulston. They're also “suitable for both a morning or evening routine as well as either a first or second cleanse,” she shares.
Application-wise, Mona Gohara, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine, previously recommended massaging cleansing balms "three times around the face with gentle pressure."
“When cleansing with a balm use the opportunity to practice some at-home facial massage and lift and sculpt your eye area, cheekbones and jawline," Jane adds. “Support the skin with one hand and use a microfibre cloth to gently buff the skin, using short, linear strokes to work with the natural grain of your facial tissues. This will improve circulation and lymphatic drainage and encourage healthier and younger-looking skin,” she shares. Then simply splash on some warm or cool (never hot) water, or wet a clean linen cloth to gently wipe away the product.
Can you use a cleansing balm everyday?
Yes — and they're suitable to use in both the morning and evening, as well as being great for either a first or second cleanse. “If your skin is feeling particularly dry, use a nourishing cleansing balm as a simple face mask by leaving it on clean skin for 10-15 minutes and then remove with a warm cloth. Or use it as a lip balm, on cuticles, or on any other dry areas,” Jane adds.
Looking for more quality skincare products? Shop the best sunscreens for face, best face masks, best vitamin C serums, best hyaluronic acid serums, best retinol creams and the best moisturisers and lotions.
This article originally appeared on Allure.
