Byrdie Editors Tried Dozens of Cleansing Balms, These Got Off Every Speck of Sunscreen and Mascara (2024)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Key Ingredients: Safflower seed oil | Size: 1, 3.8, 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We had zero, zilch, no complaints about this beloved cleansing balm. The formula is rock hard and solid in the jar, but run your finger through it and it melts into a beautiful, silky texture. It also glides across skin beautifully, dissolving makeup in seconds. Plus, there’s no greasy residue left behind; in fact, it actually left our skin supremely soft, another one of our favorite attributes. And finally, the fact that it’s fragrance-free was another win, especially for our tester with sensitive skin who noted that synthetic fragrances often trigger irritation.

Caitlyn Martyn, associate commerce editor with sensitive skin: “This melted makeup, SPF, and oil beautifully. I loved how soft my skin felt after, as opposed to dry.”

Key Ingredients: Elderberry and starflower oils | Size: 0.7, 1.7, 3.5, 7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We quickly joined the long list of devotees who can’t get enough of this luxe cleansing balm. Rich and thick, it stays put on your skin, making it easy to massage in and let it do its cleansing thing. To that point, this took off everything from stubborn makeup to even glitter, leaving our complexion feeling both totally clean and extremely moisturized, not at all stripped (no easy feat). Our one minor complaint: It’s definitely on the more expensive side, so it is a bit of an investment. That being said, you do get a good amount for the price (it also comes in four sizes), and using it is a luxurious experience, heightened even more by the elevated, herbal scent.

Ally Hirschlag, associate editorial director with combination/sensitive skin: “I’m obsessed with the texture of this balm. It feels so smooth and comforting on the skin as you rub it in, truly like a mini facial”

Key Ingredients: Sunflower and ginger root oils, papaya enzymes | Size: 1.7, 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For those seeking a cleansing balm to remove everyday grime and minimal makeup, this is a great option. It did a nice job of removing SPF, oil, and complexion makeup, although we felt it could be a bit better at removing eye makeup. It has a softer consistency than some of our other winners; this is part of what makes it so easy to move across the skin, where it can break down dirt and grime. However, it also does skew a bit oily, so if you already have oily skin to begin with, just keep in mind that you may not love how this feels after the fact. Still, if your complexion is drier, it is extremely soothing. We also appreciate that it contains papaya enzymes to provide gentle exfoliation.

Ally Hirschlag, combination/sensitive skin: “I love the texture and how easy it is to move across the skin to break down grime.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, rosehip oil, ceramides | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This cleansing balm did in fact live up to its name. It does more than just cleanse your skin (and yes, remove makeup too), which was one of our favorite attributes. More specifically, we noted that it left our complexion nourished, brighter, and generally more youthful-looking. Yes, please. And, per the cleansing part of things, it did both go on nicely and rinse off cleanly, without leaving behind any residue. We did, however, call out that the texture is slightly grainy, which some people may not love, and that it does contain synthetic fragrance.

Lauren Pardee, senior commerce editor with combination/dry skin: “I’d recommend this for anyone who wants added benefits from their cleansing balm. It felt nourishing and brightening, making for a more youthful appearance.”

Key Ingredients: Papaya enzymes and seed oil | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Here’s another cleansing balm that goes above and beyond its standard call of duty. As the name suggests, this one boasts papaya enzymes to deliver effective yet gentle exfoliation. We were quick to note that it left our skin soft and smooth, but wasn’t rough or scratchy, the way some other exfoliants can be. Still, it’s amazing for cleansing and removing makeup; it took off even super stubborn mascara. Keep in mind that it does tend to feel a bit greasy as you’re working it across your skin, although that quickly dissipates as it transforms into a milky texture that’s easily washed away.

Kayla Friedman, former commerce intern with balanced skin: “I like how soft and smooth it made my skin feel, even the next morning. And it melts away makeup and sunscreen so easily, even stubborn mascara.”

Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, ceramides | Size: 1.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

CeraVe is well-known for its various products geared toward those with dry and sensitive skin, and this cleansing balm is no exception. Indeed, we couldn’t get over how soft, moisturized, and generally nourished our skin felt after using it—not in the least bit stripped, despite how well it took off makeup and sunscreen. (Although, incidentally, we loved using it so much that we reached for it even on days when we weren’t wearing makeup.) Credit the moisturizing jojoba oil and skin-strengthening ceramides in the formula. It’s also fragrance-free, which is great for those who are prone to irritation and sensitivity. That being said, the thick texture can be a bit more challenging to thoroughly wash off, which was our one minor critique.

Cher Checchio, copy editor with dry/sensitive skin: “I love the way it makes my skin feel afterward. I don’t feel squeaky clean, just nourished.”

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Don’t want to spend a ton of money on a cleansing balm? Look no further. We were truly impressed with how well this worked, both in general and even more so given the wallet-friendly price tag. While it’s very thick in the jar, it melts nicely into skin as you massage it in. (It did get a little runnier than some others when mixed with water, though.) The aptly-named pick was very hydrating thanks in part to hyaluronic acid in the mix. Our one and only gripe had more to do with the packaging than the formula; there’s an included spatula to help you scoop the balm out of the jar, but the spatula itself is too big to be housed inside the jar.

Caitlyn Martyn, sensitive skin: “I like the price point and the efficacy; I often dread having to restock my usual cleansing balm because it feels so expensive for the tiny bit you get, but this one makes it more justifiable.”

Key Ingredients: Olive fruit extract, sea buckthorn, grapeseed oil | Size: 2.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Yes, as a general rule of thumb, cleansing balms are typically recommended for those with normal to dry skin. But this one proved to be a solid choice even for those with more oily skin. Case in point: Our oily-skinned tester, who typically shies away from cleansing balms, raved about how beautifully this one worked, leaving skin feeling moisturized but never greasy. The silky, buttery texture dissolved makeup extremely well, with minimal effort required,and also didn’t cause any irritation.

Dominique Hobdy, senior commerce editor with oily skin: “My disheveled, post-pool makeup was completely wiped away without much effort. I struggle with really oily skin and sensitive eyes, so I tend to steer clear of cleansing balms. But, I used this one on smudged waterproof mascara close to my lash line and didn’t get irritated at all. My face felt moisturized but not oily.”

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, vitamin C | Size: 6.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Cleansing balms are meant for makeup removal by definition, but this one really took the cake when it came to completely taking it all off. Our tester, a self-proclaimed full-on makeup devotee, raved about how beautifully it dissolved everything from glitter to full-coverage foundation with its creamy consistency. Still, despite that thicker texture, it doesn’t leave behind any unwanted residue.

Worth noting: While it does work well to take off waterproof mascara and the like, we found that it was imperative to make sure it was completely rinsed out of lashes so that it didn’t end up creating crusties in lashes.

Shannon Bauer, associate editorial director with combination/oily skin: “As a member of the ‘full glam makeup on a Tuesday’ club, I’ve tried it all when it comes to cleansing balms and this is one of the best. It takes off everything—waterproof mascara, glitter, full spackle foundation.”

Key Ingredients: Sea buckthorn oil, olive oil, vitamin E | Size: 3.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sea buckthorn, olive oil, and vitamin E are only a few of the moisturizing ingredients in this winner. We were especially big fans of the creamy texture, which made the whole face washing experience feel that much more luxurious. The fruity scent was a nice bonus, too, and we couldn’t get over how well it dissolved a full face of makeup. However, you may want to follow this one up with a regular face wash; it left behind a bit of residue that we felt warranted a second cleanse to remove fully.

Shannon Stubbs, commerce writer with dry skin: “This is a lot more nourishing than using a micellar water or liquid makeup remover and it feels healthier for my skin since I don’t have to do a lot of harsh rubbing.”

FAQ

• How do cleansing balms work?

  Dr. Castilla says cleansing balms use oils and emollients to remove dirt and makeup from the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Plus, the oils in cleansing balms are better able to break down heavy makeup than traditional liquid makeup removers, making them great options if you’re wearing waterproof formulas, she adds.

• Are cleansing balms good for people with all skin types?

  Contrary to popular belief, they actually are—with one caveat. Cleansing balms are great makeup removal options, regardless of your skin type, says Dr. Castilla. However, if you have oily skin, she suggests implementing a double cleansing routine and following up with their regular cleanser after using a cleansing balm. If your skin is normal to dry, you should be able to get away with just using a cleansing balm as a standalone.

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