Makeup removal should never feel like a chore, especially when the right cleansing balm leaves skin clean, soft, and refreshed. When it comes to gentle yet powerful ways to melt away foundation, waterproof mascara, and even stubborn SPF, cleansing balms have become the go-to for beauty lovers, dermatologists, and skincare experts alike. For those searching for a truly effective and enjoyable experience, the latest options blend nourishing ingredients, eye-area safety, and residue-free results.
Anyone looking for advanced makeup removal that’s safe and hydrating can browse the Rodan + Fields facial cleansers and makeup removers to discover trusted solutions formulated for all skin types.
Why Cleansing Balms are So Popular
The surge in cleansing balms is no accident. Over 70% of skincare users in 2024 preferred balm and oil formulas over traditional foams or gels because they remove tough makeup without stripping the skin barrier. The double cleansing trend, starting with a balm, followed by a gel or cream cleanser, has exploded thanks to K-beauty routines, leaving faces squeaky clean but never tight or dry.
The global natural cleansing balm market was valued at around $1.4 billion in 2024, expected to double by 2033. People are investing more in clean beauty, driving innovation in cleansing products that not only clean but also nourish and protect the skin’s moisture barrier.
How Cleansing Balms Work
Cleansing balms combine lightweight oils, butters, and gentle surfactants that emulsify makeup, dirt, and sunscreen. Massaged into dry skin, they dissolve tough products so rinsing with water or wiping with a damp cloth leaves no trace behind. Unlike wipes or micellar water, balms consistently remove over 95% of makeup in lab tests. Many include hydrating ingredients such as jojoba, squalane, and botanical extracts that care for sensitive, dry, or mature skin types.
Benefits of Cleansing Balms
- Gentle on skin: Suitable for dry, sensitive, and mature skin.
- Effective removal: Melts away waterproof, long-wear makeup in seconds.
- Hydration boost: Leaves skin soft and calm, never stripped.
- Eco-friendly: Most leading balms now use recyclable or biodegradable packaging.
- Double cleansing compatibility: Works seamlessly with follow-up cleansers for a complete routine.
Best Cleansing Balms for Makeup Removal
| Cleansing Balm | Description |
| Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Daily Foaming Cleanser | Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Daily Foaming Cleanser is a dermatologist-inspired balm-to-foam cleanser formulated for deep, yet gentle, cleansing. It effectively removes makeup, excess oil, and impurities without stripping natural moisture, making it suitable for both dry and sensitive skin. The creamy formula softens as it lathers, encapsulating dirt and long-wearing makeup for complete removal. Its hydration-focused properties leave the skin feeling plump and refreshed after use, making it a favorite among those with dryness or irritation concerns. The cleanser is also fragrance-free and contains moisturizers such as glycerin that help maintain the skin’s pH balance. Long-term use has been reported to improve skin tone, diminish redness, and provide smoother texture. It’s designed as the first step in a multi-phase skincare routine, creating an ideal canvas for other products. Many users appreciate that it does not leave a greasy residue, and it rinses off cleanly with water. Trusted by beauty enthusiasts and recommended for those seeking spa-like results at home, it strikes a balance between thorough makeup removal and nourishing care, making it a staple for diverse skin types including mature skin prone to dryness. |
| Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm | Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is an award-winning classic, frequently cited by celebrities and beauty editors. It boasts a rich, buttery texture that melts seamlessly onto the skin, dissolving stubborn makeup, sunscreen, and daily grime. Infused with a blend of nourishing oils like elderberry and optimega, along with padina pavonica, it leaves skin incredibly soft, hydrated, and luminous post-cleanse. The Green Fig version, praised for its fresh scent, gives an addictive spa-like experience. Only a small scoop is needed, making the pot last months. Effective in single or double cleansing routines, it never strips skin, avoiding tightness or dryness, a notable advantage for dry and mature complexions. Its effects are felt after rinsing: skin is noticeably silky, calm, and comfortable, without any leftover residue. This balm also emulsifies beautifully when water is added, speeding up the removal of even water-resistant makeup. Its versatile formula suits a wide range of skin types, encouraging consistent use and achieving professional, at-home facial results every night. |
| The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm | This affordable balm in a hygienic tube delivers luxury-level cleansing for less than many alternatives. It’s developed with 3% oat kernel oil and 1% colloidal oatmeal, ingredients known for soothing redness, irritation, and maintaining skin barrier health. The balm’s smooth consistency deconstructs makeup and pollution particles, easily rinsing away. It’s especially beneficial for sensitive and dry skin types, offering nourishment while preventing moisture loss. Despite the low price point, users find the experience reminiscent of higher-end balms, a spa ritual accessible to everyone. The non-comedogenic nature of this formula helps those prone to clogged pores, all while leaving skin feeling refreshed and moisturized. Its minimalist scent and gentle formula also make it appealing for those who prefer unscented skincare routines. |
| Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm | Emma Hardie’s Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm is favored by those looking for both pampering and performance. With wild sea fennel, vitamin E, and rose oils at its core, it’s soothing for irritated or breakout-prone skin. The unique dual-sided cloth provided, microfiber for removing makeup and muslin for gentle exfoliation, elevates cleansing to a spa-like self-care practice. The balm’s texture is rich but non-greasy, and it leaves skin glowing without triggering breakouts. The scent, a blend of orange blossom and jasmine, enhances the experience, and the formula’s efficacy means double cleansing often becomes optional. |
| Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm | Renowned for luxe skincare, this balm features the brand’s Avocado-Olive Fruit Oil Complex and patented TFC8® technology. Its rich consistency feels indulgent, quickly breaking down even waterproof eye makeup. Skin-loving ingredients support skin health and help retain a youthful look. The investment-worthy formula is especially effective in thoroughly cleansing while imparting moisture and suppleness, making it a top choice for those seeking visible results and sensorial pleasure in their routine. |
| The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter | A cult favorite at an accessible price, this cleansing butter offers a luxurious feel that belies its affordability. Its gentle camomile scent soothes sensitive skin while dissolving heavy and long-wear makeup quickly. Skin is left glowing, soft, and residue-free. The texture glides over the face and is easy to remove with a warm damp cloth. The Rose de Mai variant offers a delicate floral option, appealing to fragrance lovers. |
| Beauty Pie Plantastic Apricot Butter Balm | This balm impresses with its fresh apricot scent and gel-like richness. Key ingredients, including cold-pressed rosehip seed oil and vitamin E, contribute to post-cleanse softness and nourishment. A small amount covers the whole face, making a single jar long-lasting. The rich texture feels like a combination of a moisturizer and cleanser, ideal for those who dislike dry or tight sensations after using typical cleansers. |
| e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Balm | This affordable balm is beloved for its lightweight texture and effective removal of makeup. With hyaluronic acid and peptides, it hydrates while cleansing, making it perfect for those seeking a balance between moisture and deep cleaning. Its coconut oil-like firmness melts into a milky texture upon skin contact, preserving hydration and ensuring makeup is fully dissolved. Suitable for sensitive and normal/dry skin. |
| FaceGym Wonder Cleansing Balm | This thick, decadent balm is designed with FaceGym’s collagen complex to provide deep cleansing and support skin’s visible firmness and hydration. The formula is particularly beneficial for dry complexions, improving the skin’s health and youthful look. Its dense consistency encourages massage and stimulates circulation, making removal of makeup and daily impurities an enjoyable ritual. |
| Perricone MD Acyl-Glutathione Chia Cleansing Balm | Luxurious with botanicals and omega-rich chia seed oil, this balm is praised for its omega-rich formula that melts makeup and nourishes. The container is generously sized, providing value for those committed to consistent at-home spa cleansing. The formula is gentle and non-irritating for most skin types, supporting both softness and skin recovery. |
| Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Balm | Housed in a tube for convenience, this vegan balm combines apricot kernel oil, birch, and chalk for a gentle yet thorough daily cleanse. It’s suitable for all skin types thanks to its natural, plant-based formulation. The balmy gel texture becomes a milk upon contact with water, providing a gentle yet effective cleanse that handles both face and eye makeup. |
| Byoma Melting Balm Cleanser | Byoma’s oil-blend balm, packaged in a bright cube, is crafted to support the skin barrier. Barrier Lipids, olive fruit extract, and grapeseed oil cleanse without residue or greasiness. The affordable price accompanies overwhelmingly positive reviews from those who need swift removal of both sunscreen and foundation products, leaving skin protected and comfortable. |
| Weleda Skin Food Nourishing Cleansing Balm | Modeled after their iconic moisturizer, this balm is favored for dry, dehydrated skin. It contains sunflower seed oil, chamomile, and pansy extracts. The soft, creamy formula doubles as a mask, for extra nourishment, leave on for 10 minutes. Skin is left bouncy, calm, and free from remnants of makeup. |
| Eve Lom Cleanser | This iconic balm has a following for its unique scent and ability to dissolve makeup with minimal effort. It’s ideal for facial massages and leaves skin smooth, soft, and luminous. Trusted for years by professionals, each jar is a long-lasting investment in makeup removal and deep skin nutrition. |
| Trinny London Be Your Best Enzyme Balm | Featuring a thick, gel-like consistency, Trinny’s balm is ideal for those who want exfoliation and barrier care alongside thorough cleansing. Two pumps dissolve makeup, including waterproof formulas, efficiently, with added microbiome-friendly ingredients to nourish and refine the complexion over time.
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What to Look for in a Cleansing Balm
Selecting a balm can feel overwhelming, but shoppers should keep these points in mind:
- Ingredient transparency: Choose balms with minimal, recognizable ingredients like plant oils and antioxidants.
- Fragrance-free if sensitive: Some include essential oils that may irritate sensitive skin.
- Texture: Smooth balms that melt quickly are more enjoyable to use and spread evenly.
- Packaging: Air-tight jars, tubes, or sticks help maintain freshness and reduce waste.
- Multifunctional: Options that also hydrate, soothe, or reduce redness are especially valued.
It’s smart to test a small amount on the jawline before regular use, especially for those with allergies.
How to Use a Cleansing Balm for Best Results
- Scoop or squeeze a small amount onto dry hands.
- Massage onto dry face using circular motions.
- Pay extra attention to mascara, brows, and hairline.
- Add a splash of warm water to emulsify (balsm will turn milky).
- Rinse thoroughly, or use a soft damp cloth for best results.
Double cleansing? Follow up with a gentle gel or cream cleanser.
Makeup Removal Trends for 2025
- Sustainability: Leading brands have doubled down on recyclable or biodegradable jars and minimal packaging.
- Tech-driven routines: Smart beauty devices analyze skin and suggest personalized cleansing regimens based on the user’s hydration, oiliness, and makeup needs.
- Natural ingredients: Over 60% of new 2025 launches feature organic oils, botanicals, and biodegradable formulas as consumer demand for “organic” and “clean” labels continues to grow.
- Multi-benefit balms: Products now address more than makeup removal, they help even skin tone, reduce redness, and deliver antioxidants.
- Personalization: More shoppers are choosing balms based on their unique skin type and goals (hydration, barrier repair, anti-aging).
Latest News: Cleansing Balms in 2025
- The global natural cleansing balm market is set to double by 2033, driven by younger consumers seeking eco-friendly, multi-tasking products.
- Innovative tech trends are merging skincare routines with digital analysis, helping users tailor cleansing steps for optimal results.
- Dermatologists report a major rise in cases of sensitivity and allergies, one reason why gentle, non-stripping balm formulas are in high demand.