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3 min read
If SPF and sweat tends to make your skin break out, you might want to try one of these buttery cleansing balms…
Do you often break out more around this time of year? If you answered yes, you might be tempted to think that SPF is to blame. And while it’s true that added sweat, SPF and pollution can clog pores and lead to breakouts, as long as you’re removing your daily sunscreen and make-up properly, wearing SPF really shouldn’t cause you any problems.
But even those with the most robust skincare routine might struggle to thoroughly remove make-up, sweat and SPF in summer, and the solution lies in double cleansing.
“It is often surprising how much SPF, sebum, sweat, bacteria and old skin cells accumulate on our skin over the day – a double cleanse in the evening will remove these impurities and help prevent breakouts,” says Daniel Isaacs, director of research at Medik8.
No matter your skin type, taking the time to properly remove any make-up and SPF should be key in your nighttime routine. Cleansing balms are brilliant for melting away make-up, sweat and SPF, meaning you can then go in with a second cleanse to thoroughly clean the skin.
This second cleanse doesn’t have to be a completely different product. Many people will find that using the same balm cleanser sufficient – while others (especially those with breakout-prone or oily skin) might find it useful to switch to a foaming, lightweight cleanser for their second cleanse, to ensure there’s no product residue left behind.
So if you’re searching for a cleansing balm that will easily remove make-up, SPF and sweat like a pro, look no further. We’ve rounded up eight of the best formulas, all tried and tested by the Stylist beauty team, to help you shop smart…
Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm
Formulated with Hungarian moor mud (an organic mineral to gently resurface and detoxify congested areas of skin), this deeply cleansing balm loosens make-up, dirt and SPF – washing it away with ease.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
This award-winning cleansing balm has become a cult beauty buy for good reason. The three-in-one formula starts as a nourishing balm, before melting away impurities as an oil and hydrating as a cleansing milk. Skin is left smooth and clean, never stripped.
Shop Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm at Lookfantastic, £46
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm
Formulated with moringa tree extract to neutralise dirt and pollutants, sunflower and ginger root oils to deep-clean and condition, plus papaya extract to help boost glow – this brilliant balm expertly melts away SPF and make-up, and is gentle enough to use around your eyes. Winner.
Shop Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm at Cult Beauty, £24
Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm
Enriched with conditioning vitamin E, this soothing cleansing balm ensures your skin barrier is left intact, while thoroughly removing make-up, SPF, grime and pollution like a pro.
Shop Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm at Lookfantastic, £16.50
Perricone MD Essential Fx Acyl-Glutathione Chia Cleansing Balm
Perfect for nourishing stressed-out summer skin, this replenishing balm is packed with acyl-glutathione and a pure vitamin F blend, which includes omega-rich chia seed oil, that leaves your skin looking radiant, smooth and supple.
Shop Perricone MD Essential Fx Acyl-Glutathione Chia Cleansing Balm at Lookfantastic, £35
Clinique Take The Day Off Charcoal Balm
A great option for those battling breakouts, this updated Take The Day Off balm is enriched with charcoal to further decongest the pores and remove pollutants and excess oil.
Shop Clinique Take The Day Off Charcoal Balm at Lookfantastic, £11
Aromatherapy Associates Nourishing Cleansing Balm
Made with nutrient-rich blue tansy to nourish the skin, this buttery cleansing balm has a gorgeous soothing scent – transforming your evening skincare routine into a spa-like experience.
Shop Aromatherapy Associates Nourishing Cleansing Balm at Lookfantastic, £48
Beauty Pie Plantastic Apricot Butter Cleansing Balm
With cold-pressed rosehip seed oil, apricot kernel oil and vitamin E, this nourishing formula expertly melts away make-up, oils and SPF. It also comes with an organic cotton muslin cloth to give you a gentle exfoliation as you cleanse – handy.
Shop Beauty Pie Plantastic Apricot Butter Cleansing Balm, £50
Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm
Formulated with purple ginseng, a nourishing blend of linoleic-rich oils and plant-based esters, this cleansing balm is free from fragrance, parabens, PEGS, polyethylene or gluten – meaning it’s a great option for those with reactive or sensitive skin.
Shop Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm at Space NK, £21
Images: Getty; courtesy of brands
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