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Stylist Loves
12 best cleansing balms: gentle formulas that melt away make-up and dirt
By Hanna Ibraheem &Charlotte Bitmead
5 months ago
All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article
4 min read
Alongside their ability to melt away make-up and shift dirt in an instant, cleansing balms leave skin nourished and are the perfect addition to a nighttime facial massage. Here, we list the Stylist beauty team’s favourites.
Be honest: how long do you spend on your cleansing routine?
Throughout the day, our skin is exposed to multiple stressors, including pollution and free-radical damage. In addition to that, there’s the buildup of dirt and sweat, bacteria from touching our faces, SPF and make-up, so it’s fair to say that cleansing is one of the most important steps in any skincare routine.
As well as getting rid of grime, a good cleansing regime will provide you with a base for the rest of your skincare products to work even harder. What’s the point of applying retinol if your face hasn’t been cleaned properly?
Across the Stylist team, we’ve tried countless cleansers, including foams, creams, milks and gels. While your preference can differ depending on your skin type and personal preference, there’s one type we all unanimously love: a nourishing cleansing balm.
These solid-to-oil formulas are highly effective at breaking down even the most stubborn of make-up formulas. Plus, their slippery textures are perfect for a nightly facial massage. Not to mention that it’s best practice to double cleanse at night.
Here, we round up the options that leave skin clean but not stripped, nourished but not greasy and feeling incredibly soft (just don’t touch it after).
12 best cleansing balms
Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Hot Oil Double Cleansing Balm
Rich bran oil, aloe juice and baobab sariche oil make for an ultra-nourishing, softening and hydrating cleansing formula in this Beauty Pie pot. But most satisfyingly, the balm takes on a gentle heat as you massage it onto skin, giving you a luxe spa-like moment in your bathroom.
Revolution Skincare x Sali Hughes Butterclean Makeup Meltdown Cleansing Balm
This rich cleansing balm is a great fuss-free cleanser that melts away even the most stubborn of make-up without leaving your face feeling tight. It contains an array of skin-loving ingredients, including squalane, safflower seed oil, jojoba oil and hyaluronic acid.
Shop Revolution Skincare x Sali Hughes Butterclean Makeup Meltdown Cleansing Balm, £15
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
A cult product and a firm favourite across the Stylist beauty team, Clinique’s Take The Day Off Balm allows you to do just that. Scoop a 10p-sized amount into your hands and massage it over dry skin. The balm will sweep away make-up, as well as dirt, oil and SPF.
Shop Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm at Lookfantastic, £34
Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm
Suitable for all skin types, this gentle formula contains purple ginseng for an ultra-nourishing finish. Even better, it can be used on both dry or damp skin, depending on your preferences.
Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm
Is your skin feeling dry or stressed out? Give this cleansing balm a try. It contains moringa seed extract and papaya extract to unclog dirt and pollutants. It doesn’t leave skin feeling greasy afterwards either, making it the perfect companion for oily skin types.
Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
Shop Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm at Cult Beauty, £38
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm
Where to start with this cleanser? It contains colloidal oatmeal and ceramides to soothe and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. Meanwhile, oat kernel oil works as an antioxidant to fight against damaging environmental factors.
Massage a small amount to dampened skin and watch your make-up melt away. Once it’s washed off, your skin will feel smooth and supple. It also makes for a brilliant 10-minute face mask moment.
Shop The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm at Lookfantastic, £12
Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm
Elemis Pro-Collagen cleanser has long been a favourite of beauty aficionados, but when it released a rose-scented version, it took the beloved product to a whole new level. While the shea butter and sweet almond oil formula work just as well at removing impurities, the gorgeous scent leaves you feeling refreshed and relaxed.
Shop Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm at Lookfantastic, £49
Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm
Created by viral K-beauty brand Glow Recipe, this tangerine-coloured cleansing balm is packed with active ingredients like vitamin A, vitamin C, papaya seed oil, enzymes and extract to increase the suppleness, softness and brightness of the skin. It’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin and people who wear contact lenses. They really did think of everything.
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm with Professional Cleansing Cloth
A facial in a tub, this Emma Hardie cleanser has a thick formula that decongests skin and leaves it feeling plumper. It also contains orange, neroli, mandarin, jasmine and rose essential oils that work to calm the senses while you massage your face. Dreamy.
Shop Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm with Professional Cleansing Cloth, £52
Eve Lom Cleanser
Another spa-like formula, Eve Lom’s offering contains four aromatic plant oils (clove, eucalyptus, hops and Egyptian chamomile) to cleanse without drying or stripping your skin. It also gently exfoliates skin to slough away dead skin cells while aiding to even out any texture.
Youth To The People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm
With a heavy emphasis on superfoods and the benefits they can provide when used in skincare, Youth To The People created a whipped velvet-textured cleansing balm enriched with hydrating and plumping hyaluronic acid, as well as soothing, reparative prickly pear extract.
Shop Youth to the People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm at Cult Beauty, £36
Images: courtesy of brands
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