Cleansing balm

When it's time to remove the day's makeup — and dirt, oil, and everything else you don't want to go to sleep wearing — a cleansing balm may be a great addition to your nighttime routine. "A cleansing balm is an oil-based formula that helps break down even the most stubborn makeup without any tugging," L.A.-based makeup artist and content creator Ourfa Zinali tells PEOPLE Tested. "It does the same thing a cleansing oil does, however, it's less messy; think of them as sisters. It can also be used on bare skin to remove any impurities, SPF, etc. at the end of your day." Cleansing balms can also do double duty and improve the look of your skin: At the 2023 Grammy Awards, makeup artist Kristine Studden used a cleansing balm in creating With all the benefits of this dewy product, PEOPLE tested several cleansing balms for many different skin types, evaluating them for consistency, cleansing ability, oiliness, hydration, and appearance. See our favorites below. Cons • This balm was so great, we just wish it came in a larger size! One of the coolest things about cleansing balms is how the consistency changes from the container to the palm of your hand. Our overall winner starts with a firm consistency when it's initially scooped out, but once rubbed into the skin, it becomes smooth and milky, and it practically melts away makeup in less than a minute. Out of all of the balms we tested, this product stood out to us the most for its consistency, cleansing ability, and for the way...

Not to ~brag~, but my friends are very lucky to have me, a beauty editor, in their lives, because they’ll never have to buy can dissolve even the most saturated makeup without leaving your skin stripped or greasy. Basically, they’re a must-have for makeup wearers. And while I won’t give away my favorites to my friends (sry), I will share them with you. So here’s a peek at my favorite cleansing balms of 2022, along with the best formulas recommended by our experts, board-certified dermatologists Our top cleansing balm picks of 2022 Cleansing balms are often filled with fragrances and essential oils that can srsly wreak havoc on your sensitive skin. Instead, try this no-frills balm from CeraVe that Dr. Lal loves because it “contains ceramides, which help hydrate and heal your skin as you cleanse.” It has a silky, sherbert-like texture that melts into your skin the second you start massaging it on, breaking down makeup and SPF with gentle and moisturizing emollients. THE REVIEWS: “This is the best makeup remover for me I have found so far,” writes one reviewer. “I have sensitive skin and other removers have either left my skin feeling dry and itchy, or they burn my eyes and skin. This hasn't irritated me whatsoever after two weeks of everyday use and really gets the makeup off well.” If you’re just looking for a simple cleansing balm that’ll remove your makeup and cost less than your lunch, grab this one from Elf at pretty much any drugstore. It’ll d issolve your makeup and s...

You're probably familiar with traditional Cleansing balms "are often buttery and oily in texture and mainly composed of plant oils and fats, such as fatty acids or their derivatives and waxes," says Wizemann, which means they "are effective in removing dirt, oil and cosmetics — even sunscreen and heavy makeup including waterproof mascara — when massaged into skin." And because they both cleanse and remove makeup, cleansing balms save money and time in your routine. "Cleansing balms are formulated with oils and hydrating ingredients, so they work without stripping away the skin’s natural oils and are more moisturizing than traditional cleansers," adds The GH Beauty Lab is constantly testing face cleanser and In the GH Beauty Lab's most recent face cleanser and makeup remover tests, a total of 16,712 data points were tallied to find the top formulas on the market. Our top picks: Gently cleanse skin and whisk away makeup at the same time with this buttery Clinique balm based on safflower seed oil, the winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s makeup remover test. The fragrance-free face wash earned the top score in Lab testing for needing the fewest swipes to completely remove makeup. Plus, 100% of testers agreed that it rinsed off easily and didn’t irritate or bring on breakouts. “Dissolved all my This affordably-priced E.l.f. cleansing balm, infused with sunflower oil and 100% of users agreed it spread evenly onto skin, didn't irritate eyes and made skin look smooth. It aso rated best ...

Is there anything better than a skincare product that multitasks? Honestly...no. Even though countless products work hard to provide multiple benefits, cleansing balms are a one-stop-shop. They cleanse, moisturize, remove makeup, residue, and anything leftover on your face from your day. These balms are also low maintenance, in the sense that you can use them without water, and additional cleansers in your routine. So, if your current cleansing routine is more than you bargained for, take a look at cleansing balms. But, before you dive in, know that each balm varies. “Some cleansing balms are more moisturizing than others —you should test them out to find the right fit,” says New York City-based dermatologist What Are Cleansing Balms? You should know up front that a balm is going to cleanse differently than your typical suds-y cleanser. “A cleansing balm is typically thicker in consistency than a regular cleanser. They’re more creamy and rich in oils,” says How Do They Work? Since cleansing balms start as a hard texture (think a stick of butter), you’ll have to work it into your skin. “As you massage the balm on the skin, the heat from your hands turns the consistency to soft and buttery,” says Dr. Chimento. Once you’re done cleansing your skin, take a soft cloth (muslin works best), and gently wipe your face to clear the balm off. You’ll notice all of the residue and makeup that the balm removes on the cloth. You can rinse with water as well if you like. What’s The Best W...

Whether you spend the day sweating, applying (and reapplying) heavy-duty isn’t satisfying is getting through your What are cleansing balms, and how do they work? Most cleansing balms have a thick, if not totally solid, consistency. A balm usually thins out and becomes more lotion- or cleanser-like when it’s warmed up, either when it’s rubbed between your hands or when it’s applied to your face. As you massage the balm into your skin, it breaks down dead skin cell build-up, Although balms are effective cleansers, they won’t wash away all the oils on your skin, Most balms will rinse away with water, though it’s possible that they’ll leave a little residue behind, What’s the best way to use a cleansing balm in your skin care routine? Unlike Dr. Garshick says you can use a cleansing balm twice a day (especially if it’s your primary face wash), but it’ll really come in handy when used at the end of the day. That’s when your skin is probably the dirtiest (to be frank). “I usually tell my patients to do it at nighttime, as this is when we have the most dirt and oil built up on our face from the grind of the day,” Dr. Penzi says, adding that cleansing balms truly can tackle all types of makeup, from lipstick to eyeliner, so you can hit the hay with a blissfully clean face. Who should consider using a cleansing balm? In addition to anyone who wears heavy makeup or sunscreen, people with dry or That said, everything that makes cleansing balms helpful for people with dry skin makes t...

While we love a foam, cream or gel face wash for an extra-deep cleanse, there's one type of cleanser that may have been overlooked when it comes to melting make-up. Enter: cleansing balms. “Cleansing balms fall under the same formulation as an ointment,” explains consultant dermatologist at Often formulated with hydrating oils and waxes, cleansing balms are masterful at melting away stubborn makeup (SPF and mascara included), and will deeply cleanse the skin from impurities without leaching away its natural sebum. Yes, they’re super hydrating and won’t create that notorious tightening effect – even on oily skin types. What skin type works best with a cleansing balm? A great selling point of cleansing balms is that they’re effective on all skin types – especially the dry and dehydrated. “As cleansing balms are formulated with higher levels of nourishing ingredients (think fatty acids, oils and vitamins), they are brilliant at cleansing the skin without making it feel dry or stripped,” says Dr Maybury. She continues to explain that as the months get cooler, our moisture retention reduces, which can increase dehydration even more – so autumn and winter can be a great time to introduce a cleansing balm into your routine. What’s more, it’s not only dry-skin sufferers who can reap the benefits of a cleansing balm, as they are great mollifiers for sensitive or reactive complexions too. Dr Maybury explains that formulas containing skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and v...