15 Best Cleansing Balms of 2022

2022-08-21 17:29:15 By : Ms. Susan Zhan

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Get ready to serve a glazed glow.

Going to bed with a face full of makeup is the ultimate skincare faux pas. Leftover foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, or mascara can stain your cozy PJs, and it can be a headache to get out of your sheets. More importantly, sleeping with makeup can have a not-so-great impact on your skin. Have you ever gone to bed with makeup on and woke up with a pimple greeting you the next morning? No? Me neither. LOL! Makeup removers like micellar water, foaming cleansers, and wipes (biodegradable versions, OFC) are skincare staples trusted to break down even long-wear formulas (especially when you're double cleansing), but some of the best cleansing balms are a less harsh way to watch your makeup dissolve and give your skin extra TLC.

Finding the right cleansing balm for your skin type can be tricky. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, cleansing balms "won't strip the skin of its natural oils and cause drying," making them a safe bet for those with dry and sensitive skin. Cleansing balms work on oily and acne-prone skin, too, just be sure to grab a non-comedogenic one to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. While some makeup removers can irritate the undereye area due to their fragrance-laced formulas, EVE LOM Global Director of Education Todd Davidson says the natural ingredients in most cleansing balms "can be used around the eye area" without irritating the skin.

Swiping away at your skin with makeup remover wipes can cause redness, and some liquid removers are known to strip the skin of moisture, leaving it dry and dehydrated. But the true magic in oil, gel, and butter cleansing balm formulas lies in hydrating ingredients like jojoba and argan oils that smooth and soften the skin as they break down makeup. While most cleansing balms are enriched with nourishing ingredients, Davidson suggests steering clear of cleansing balms with synthetic fragrance, sulfates, parabens, and phthalates as they could lead to allergic reactions and breakouts.

Using cleansing balms is super easy, too. Just slather the product in your hand, rub it into your face, and wipe away with a damp towel. Some balms may require a warm water rinse to remove. If double (or even triple) cleansing is a part of your skincare regimen, Dr. King suggests using cleansing balms as the first step and following up with "a water-based cleanser as the second step to avoid leaving an oily residue."

No matter if you need a drugstore-friendly makeup remover or are looking for one that has this season's buzziest skincare ingredient (hello niacinamide and vitamin C), there's a cleansing balm that's right for you. Take a peek at the best cleansing balms to melt away makeup and hydrate skin. Don't be surprised if your skin serves glazed glow like donut skin (and nail) queen Hailey Bieber.

Not only does this 3-in-1 cleansing balm deep clean pores, it also helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and restores the skin's natural tone.

Customer Review: "Feels really soft applying it, and it rinses really well."

We stan an affordably priced product that delivers top-notch results. This oil-based balm dissolves makeup while brightening skin and reducing dark spots.

Customer Review: "I have to say I'm so impressed. the smell is divine and the texture feels like I'm rubbing sorbet all over my face. It really didn't break me out (I have oily, acne-prone skin). The only thing is that I wish it was sold in stores so I don't have to order it online :)"

A pea-sized amount is all you need to deep clean your skin with the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. It can also be used as a facial mask for deeper hydration. Just let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off.

Customer Review: "I've been using this for about six months and it cleans so well. It penetrates deeply and feels great on my face at night. It leaves my face so soft!"

A little goes a very long way with this hydrating cleanser. Antibacterial eucalyptus clears away grime that can cause breakouts while clove leaf oil delivers a spa-level fragrance. Plus, the formula is gentle enough to be used around the eyes.

Customer Review: "So in terms of performance, this cleansing balm works really well. It melts makeup off so nicely, and spreads like a dream. The reason I took off points though, is that it does leave a film on your face after rinsing."

Everything TikTok influencer turned actor turned beauty mogul, Addison Rae touches turns to gold. This olive fruit oil and grape seed oil enriched cleansing balm from her beauty line draws moisture back into the skin while melting away makeup.

Size: 2.82 ounces Customer Review: "This balm does have a heavy fragrance so if you don’t like that I’d skip this one. The texture isn’t as creamy as others I’ve tried but I really have no complaints. It removed my makeup well and the olive oil definitely helps with my dry skin."

Removing makeup doesn't have to result in dry or tight skin. This gel breaks down makeup and other debris from your day without stripping the skin of its natural oils.

Customer Review: "This is a staple in my daily routine. I have very dry skin and the gel does not make my face feel like it has had a stringent on it."

Whew! When you've reached the end of the day and want to get your full, glam beat (lashes and glitter eyeshadow included) off in an instant, this is the product to grab. The light camomile-scented butter will put you in a relaxing mood while cleaning off your makeup.

Customer Review: "I bought this after seeing a lot of comments singing its praises on TikTok. Let me tell you, they were not exaggerating. Yes, it has ingredients that are good for your skin. And, yes, it smells nice. But the best part for me is how well it works."

This sorbet textured balm rids pores of makeup, dirt, and oil, while soothing irritation and leaving skin with the glazed glow that you're seeing all over TikTok.

Customer Review: "Love and hate relationship.. like everyone say when applying it and rubbing numerous of times.. it feels like you can’t get it off of your face, so you keep rubbing and rubbing till your face feels clean. After using my face is super soft and no trace of makeup."

Along with wiping away makeup and impurities, Drunk Elephant's Slaai™ Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser uses bamboo and charcoal powder to help gently exfoliate dry, dead skin.

Customer Review: A little goes a long way. It turns into a creamy oil & cleans off every drop of makeup… including waterproof mascara. My face feels so smooth& clean after use! Very gentle & does the job!

You probably have a makeup routine that ensures that your go-to products stay locked in place all day. Milk Makeup's Hydro Ungrip Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm pairs soybean and sunflower oils with blue agave to dissolve even the most secure makeup. Your fave waterproof mascara doesn't stand a chance. The lightweight remover is also enriched with hyaluronic acid and aloe to leave skin supple and soft.

Customer Review: "I really love balms as they are cleansing and not stripping and this one is going to be such a great addition to my collection."

By now, we all know that sunscreen lotions and powders are the foundation of a healthy skincare regimen. This vitamin E-enriched cleansing balm zaps excess oils and sunscreen residue without leaving a greasy finish.

Customer Review: "Great, buttery balm that melts easily into my skin. Takes off makeup and sunscreen well and smoothly, I didn't feel the need to tug at my lashes to remove mascara. I didn't have any issues with it getting into my eyes. Overall makes my skin feel cleaner and brighter paired with a cleanser!"

There are some times when a product's name does all the talking. Trusted skincare brand Clinique's Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm lives up to the hype.

Customer Review: "Does exactly what it says! I use this in a 2-step cleansing routine at the end of the day. This takes off all my makeup, even some of the trickier waterproof things. It makes my skin feel nice and clear for when I follow up with a cleanser."

There's nothing like grabbing a multipurpose product that actually works. This creamy 3-in-1 FORMULA works as a hydrating face mask, waterproof makeup and SPF remover, and a brightening cleanser. Talk about a simplified nighttime routine!

Size: 4 ounces Customer Review: "Upon opening the jar, the rose scent was just a little too overwhelming for me. I did like it, however, could be toned down some. I did like that it was firm and not soft. It melted my waterproof mascara right off without having to scrub and left my face with a nice glow and very hydrated."

The skincare party doesn't end with Beautycounter's Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm breaking down makeup and oil. It doubles as a soothing overnight facial that leaves skin stress-free and hydrated.

Customer Review: "Smells amazing, I use it at night to get all my makeup off my face, and sometimes use it as a leave-on moisturizer overnight!"