The Best Cleansing Balms of 2020
After Trying These Cleansing Balms, You'll Never Look at Your Makeup Wipes the Same
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While many beauty trends come and go, we will forever hold on tightly to the double-cleansing skin-care trend and cleansing balms that accompany it. When it comes to face wash, cleansing balms are the unsung hero. Their primary purpose is to dissolve any makeup, sunscreen, and impurities from the surface of your skin while delivering multiple benefits. Not only are the oils in these balms great for moisturizing the skin, but they also act as an emollient base to literally melt away makeup.
To use a cleansing balm, you first take a dime-size amount of product and massage it onto dry skin in circular motions. When you do this, you'll be able to see your full face of makeup — even stubborn waterproof eye makeup — melt right off. Then, you rinse with water to wash away the oily residue. All skin types can use a cleansing balm, but those with dry skin will really benefit from its hydrating properties.
Ahead, we rounded up the best cleansing balms for you to shop. (Prepare to swear off makeup wipes once and for all.)
Ren Clean Skincare Rosa Centifolia No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm
Most cleansing balms come in a jar, but the Ren Clean Skincare Rosa Centifolia No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm ($29) is in a tube for easy application. The rose-infused balm transforms into a milky cream cleanser when it comes in contact with water and is great for calming redness.
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
If you're looking for a lightweight formula, the Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm ($31) works to remove makeup without leaving any greasy residue.
Eve Lom Cleanser
The Eve Lom Cleanser ($80) is the OG cleansing balm. The bestselling formula is packed with aromatic oils and other botanicals to decongest, exfoliate, tone, soothe, and cleanse.
Banila Co Clean It Zero 3-in-1 Cleansing Balm
The Banila Co Clean It Zero 3-in-1 Cleansing Balm ($19) transforms from a sherbet-like texture to a creamy balm when massaged onto the skin. It's formulated with the brand's proprietary technology that cleanses and gently exfoliates.
Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
The Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm ($38) is an editor favorite for a reason: it effortlessly melts away makeup, sunscreen, and dirt from your skin with its sorbet-like consistency.
Physicians Formula The Perfect Matcha 3-in-1 Melting Cleansing Balm
You don't have to pay an arm and a leg for a good cleansing balm. The Physicians Formula The Perfect Matcha 3-in-1 Melting Cleansing Balm ($15) is formulated with green tea for antioxidants and tea tree to purify.
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
All skin types can benefit from using the Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm ($34). It's formulated with sunflower and ginger root oils to remove makeup and turmeric and moringa extract to purify skin.
Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm
The Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm ($23) uses manuka honey, which has antibacterial and hydrating properties, to promote a healthy skin microbiome.
Derma E Universal Cleansing Balm
Formulated with rose and rosehip oil to hydrate and regenerate skin, the Derma E Universal Cleansing Balm ($14) washes away makeup, soothes skin, and leaves you glowing.
Glowoasis Makeupmelt
The Glowoasis Makeupmelt ($34) is formulated with moringa seed oil, which helps protect the skin's immunity, as well as neem leaf extract to promote a glow.
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Melting Balm
The Neutrogena Makeup Remover Melting Balm ($15) comes in a travel-friendly size and gently washes away makeup and nourishes skin.
Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm & Makeup Remover
As its name suggests, the Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm & Makeup Remover ($32) has a soft, bouncy texture. It's formulated with papaya enzymes to resurface and soothe skin, papaya seed oil to hydrate, and blueberry extract to protect against environmental stressors.
Hanskin AHA Pore Cleansing Balm
In addition to cleansing skin and removing makeup, the Hanskin AHA Pore Cleansing Balm ($22) chemically exfoliates the skin with plant-derived ingredients and alpha hydroxy acids.
Chantecaille Rose de Mai Cleansing Balm
The Chantecaille Rose de Mai Cleansing Balm ($90) has a light rose scent. In its formula is tamanu oil, which is rich in antioxidants, a plant-based acid to gently exfoliate, and hyaluronic acid to moisturize.
Soap & Glory Glow Your Mind Nourishing Cleansing Balm
The Soap & Glory Glow Your Mind Nourishing Cleansing Balm ($12) is formulated with four oils — marula, avocado, apricot, and jojoba — as well as vitamin C.
Beautycounter Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm
The Beautycounter Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm ($72) can be used to cleanse the skin or as an ultrahydrating overnight mask. In it is lotus extract, jojoba seed oil, avocado seed oil, and apricot kernel oil.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm ($64) delivers a luxurious cleansing experience. It's infused with elderberry, starflower, and optimega oils, plus the brand's signature algae to leave skin feeling soft.
