Key ingredients: elderberry oil, rose oil, shea butter, vitamin E | Fragrance-free: no
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm
Why it's worth it: Farmacy’s Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm is one of the few cleansing balms on the market that has exfoliating properties of any kind, which is why Dr. Murphy-Rose recommends it for those with acne-prone skin. “This fragrance-free balm contains sunflower oil, moringa extract, and papaya enzymes, making it a great choice for gently removing makeup while providing light exfoliation,” she says. Dr. Murphy-Rose also shouts out Farmacy’s addition of gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid. A cousin of alpha-hydroxy acid, “it helps to refine skin texture without irritation,” she explains.
Key ingredients: sunflower oil, moringa extract, papaya enzymes, gluconolactone (PHA) | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Budget: CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
Why it's worth it: According to Dr. Geddes-Bruce, those with sensitive skin will appreciate the gentle, non-stripping feel of the CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm. Like all of the brand’s sensitive skin-friendly products, this fragrance-free balm contains ceramides to replenish much-needed moisture and soothe skin while jojoba oil doubles down this balm’s conditioning properties. “It's perfect for sensitive skin and consistently works well,” she says.
Key ingredients: ceramides, jojoba oil | Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
How are cleansing balms different from traditional facial cleansers?
Similarly to a cleansing oil, these balms contain an oil-based formula that’s able to break down stubborn makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil easier than your usual gel face wash alone. Cleansing balms are "a great first step for removing makeup [and sunscreen] before using a traditional cleanser to clean the pores out effectively," explains board-certified dermatologist Arash Akhavan, MD, of the Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City. Due to their gentler, moisturizing nature, Dr. Akhavan adds that these balmy cleansers are ideal makeup remover options for those with dry skin and eczema (just make sure you opt for a fragrance-free option if you have sensitive skin).
How do I use a cleansing balm?
Application-wise, Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut, previously recommended massaging cleansing balms "three times around the face with gentle pressure." For some, this process is a welcome departure from the vigorous scrubbing of years past. After a thorough massage, splash on some warm or cool (never hot) water or wet a clean washcloth to gently wipe away the product. Complete your double-cleansing routine with a water-based face wash, and you'll notice how much cleaner and revived your skin looks.
Meet the experts
- Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center in New York City and Southampton, New York
- Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas
- Arash Akhavan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based at the Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City.
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
