Ask any expert and they’ll tell you the cardinal rule of skincare is a thorough cleanse—a process made all the more simple with the best cleansing balm. Unlike the serum-gels and luxe cream washes you’re likely accustomed to, these balms whip botanical oils and cleansing agents into a semi-solid mixture that have the ability to slough away dirt, oils, impurities, and makeup. Ahead, everything you need to know about cleansing balms—plus, Vogue’s edit of the best ones to shop.
Vogue’s Favorite Cleansing Balms
In This Story
Best Overall: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: This Elemis formula has the ability to turn any cleansing balm nay-sayers into a super fan. Here, botanical and essential oils form a luxe balms that’s unlike anything we’ve tried before. Once activated with water, it massages into a silky oil that removes all impurities with ease. It’s my go-to when I’m wearing a full face of makeup and want to ensure my skin is squeaky clean.
- Key Ingredients: Padina pavonica (brown algae), elderberry oil, starflower oil, sweet almond oil, lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus
- Size: 100g
Best Korean: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: “Cleansing with an oil-based cleanser and following up with a water-based cleanser is called a double cleanse, and is a foundational part of an effective multi-step skin care routine,” explains Soko Glam founder Charlotte Cho, citing the practice as integral to a Korean skin-care routine. To do so, she often reaches for this Then I Met Your elixir “to gently remove all of [her] makeup and rid skin of any oil-based impurities.” And with ingredients like vitamin E, sea buckthorn, and persimmon extract, you know it’ll leave skin softer after each use.
- Key Ingredients: Sea buckthorn, persimmon extract, vitamin E, olive oil
- Size: 3.17 fl oz / 9g
Best Drugstore: Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: Whenever I travel without Versed’s Day Dissolve, I regret it. A necessary pick-up for my pre-travel Target run, this is a TSA-friendly cleansing balm worthy of any toiletry bag. Once you arrive at your destination and want to thoroughly cleanse skin, just massage on a peanut-sized amount of balm and watch it transform into a milky cleanser once it touches water. The featured eucalyptus oil and vitamin E keep skin nourished in the process.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, jojoba oil, eucalyptus oil, avocado oil, clove leaf oil
- Size: 2.3 fl oz
Best for Dry Skin: True Botanicals Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: A cleansing balm with an exceptional glide, True Botancials’ formula is a Vogue editor-favorite. Yucca extract, turmeric, ginger root, cucumber seed oil, and mango butter are whipped into a rich balm that melts instantly into skin—transforming into a soft, milky texture once activated with water. Plus, lactic and azelaic acids are featured to gently exfoliate simultaneously. EWG Verified, PETA-approved, and powered by plant actives, this is exceptional for any clean beauty aficionado.
- Key Ingredients: Yucca extract, turmeric, ginger root, cucumber seed oil, mango butter, lactic acid, azelaic acid
- Size: 3.4 oz / 96 g
Best for Oily Skin: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: If you haven’t tried Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, you’re truly missing out. A classic formula for a reason, this is known to melt even the most long-wear makeup away—from waterproof mascara to pigmented eyeliner to layers of sunscreen. More of a solid than cream balm, I’d go as far as to say that this is best for combination-to-oily skin types who want to stave off excess shine and oils at each step of their routine.
- Key Ingredients: Safflower seed oil
- Size: 3.8 oz
Best Scent: Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: It’s hard not to love Farmacy’s Green Clean. Powered by papaya enzymes, moringa extract, plus sunflower and ginger root oils, this has become one of the brand’s bestsellers because it effectively removes makeup and impurities from skin, leaving skin softer, smoother, and moisturized after each use. And if you’re one for fragrance, this smells delectable thanks to the featured lime, bergamot and orange essential oils.
- Key Ingredients: Papaya enzymes, moringa extract, sunflower and ginger root oils
- Size: 100 mL / 3.4 fl. oz
Best Clean: Juno & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: As the name suggests, just 10 ingredients power Juno & Co’s cleansing balm. Japanese pearl barley and vitamin E lead the formula, helping to even skin tone, boost moisture levels, and deliver antioxidant protection. Massage onto skin in circular motions, rinse with water, and follow with a gel-based wash for the ultimate double cleanse.
- Key Ingredients: Japanese pearl barley, vitamin E
- Size: 3.0 oz / 85 g
Best for Mature Skin: Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: Fans of Augustinus Bader’s rich moisturizer should consider incorporating its cleansing balm too, as it’s powdered by the same high-powered amino acid complex, TFC8. Avocado, olive, coconut oils, vitamin E, and squalane are featured alongside, giving this the ability to balance and moisturize one’s complexion.
- Key Ingredients: TFC8, squalane, vitamin E, avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil
- Size: 3.2 oz
Best Texture: Oak Essentials Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: For a spa-like ritual, turn to Oak Essentials cleansing balm. A hidden gem in Jenni Kayne’s skin-care lineup, this cleansing balm helps remove dirt and oil through a soft, nourishing formula made of safflower seed oil, sesame oil, avocado oil, juniper and vitamin E. Rich in fatty acids, it keeps skin feeling moisturized and soft. Senior shopping editor Talia Abbas cosigns it, too: “I fell in love with the scent first (sweet yet not overpowering), then its effects; it’s perfect resetting my skin whenever it feels dull and congested.”
- Key Ingredients: Organic safflower seed oil, avocado oil, organic sesame oil,
- Size: 40g / 1.4 oz
Best Tube: EADEM Dew Dream Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: One of the things that drew me most to EADEM’s Dew Dream is that it arrives in a handy tube that allows one to squeeze out the balm rather than scooping it out with your fingers. Aside, the formula itself is worth writing home about. Vegan, cruelty-free, this seeks to condition and even skin tone via gentle ingredients like tiger grass, Kalahari melon, moringa, allantoin, and licorice root.
- Key Ingredients: Tiger grass, Kalahari melon, moringa, allantoin, licorice root, borage, glycerin
- Size: 3.4 oz / 100 mL
What is a cleansing balm?
“A cleansing balm is an oil-based cleanser that has more of a solid consistency,” says triple board–certified dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano. Often packed with nourishing ingredients like botanical oils and extracts, they’re best for someone in search of a moisturizing face wash, first step in a double cleanse, or effective makeup remover.
Are cleansing balms effective?
In my experience, cleansing balms are one of the most effective means of removing makeup and sunscreen without stripping skin of its natural oils. “The oils in cleansing balms not only help with breaking down makeup, but also with cleaning away dirt, sunscreen, and other products from the day.” She continues that because the balm is formulated with not only oils but nourishing emollients and waxes, they are able to cleanse the skin without leaving it dry—across all skin types (yes, even oily ones!).
How to Use a Cleansing Balm
Turegano is a fan the double cleansing method; and recommends the best cleansing balms as an excellent first step. “First massage [the balm] in your palms, and then massage it on your face for 30–60 seconds,” she explains. Next step is rinsing. “I would then follow this with a cream-based cleanser (if you have dry skin) or a gel-based cleanser (if you have normal to oily skin).” From there, she might reach for a silicone cleansing brush to aid impurity removal, followed by a curated nighttime skin-care routine: Think of a hydrating toner or serum, then retinoid and moisturizer. And with that, you’re left with skin that’s not only incredibly clean, but maintains its natural balancing oils.
Meet The Expert
- Dr. Mamina Turegano is a triple board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist who focuses on the connection between your mind, body, and skin health.
