Ask any expert, and they’ll tell you that the most important rule in skin care is a thorough cleanse—a process made much easier with the best cleansing balm. Unlike the serums, gels, or creamy washes you might be used to, these balms blend botanical oils into a semi-solid texture (similar to a cleansing oil, but firmer) that can remove dirt, oil, impurities, and makeup. However, there’s a catch: cleansing balms work best as the first step in a double-cleansing routine, not as a single-step wash.

“Cleansing balms help remove oil-based products like makeup, while a regular water-based cleanser takes care of any leftover grime, sweat, and dead skin cells,” explains double-board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp. Below, explore top-rated cleansing balms recommended by experts and editors for skin that feels cleaner and softer than ever.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
$44 at Amazon
This creamy balm turns makeup removal from a chore into an easy ritual. Its safflower seed oil base breaks down even stubborn waterproof makeup while leaving skin hydrated and glowing. “It melts makeup quickly and leaves skin soft,” says makeup artist Brielle Pollara. For best results, warm the balm between your fingers before massaging it onto your face in gentle circles. It’s ophthalmologist-tested, safe for contact lens wearers, and dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin.

Best for Mature Skin: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
$69 at Amazon
Elemis’s luxurious balm blends botanical algae and essential oils, offering antioxidant-rich, anti-aging benefits. While ideal for mature skin, it suits various skin types. The formula transforms from a balm to a silky oil upon contact with water, dissolving impurities effortlessly. Makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre praises its spa-like feel, noting it “dissolves stubborn makeup while conditioning the delicate eye area.”

Best Affordable: Juno & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm
$15 at Amazon
This budget-friendly option effectively cleanses without breaking the bank. It gently removes makeup and impurities while leaving skin feeling soft and refreshed.This budget-friendly cleansing balm keeps things simple with just 10 ingredients and has earned nearly 18,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. Beyond removing makeup and daily buildup, the formula includes brightening agents that help fade hyperpigmentation over time. “This is an oil-based cleanser that melts into the skin to remove makeup,” board-certified dermatologist Dara Spearman, MD, previously told Vogue. “It’s formulated with minimal ingredients so you can be certain it’s not filled with unnecessary or potentially harmful additives. The key ingredient, Japanese barley, is a source of vitamins and antioxidants that help brighten the skin.”

Key Ingredients: Japanese pearl barley, vitamin E
Fragrance: Yes (naturally derived)
Size: 3.0 oz / 85 g

Love It
– Affordable price point
– Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formula

Leave It
– Some report a minor residue after cleansing

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Best for Dry Skin: Oak Essentials Cleansing Balm
For a spa-like ritual, turn to Oak Essentials cleansing balm. A hidden gem in Jenni Kayne’s skincare lineup, this balm helps remove dirt and oil with 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 for resetting my skin whenever it feels dull and congested.”

Key Ingredients: Organic safflower-seed oil, avocado oil, organic sesame oil
Fragrance: Yes (naturally derived)
Size: 40g / 1.4 oz

Love It
– Hydrating and nourishing formula
– Clean formula free from sulfates, parabens, silicones, and mineral oil

Leave It
– Some find this leaves a slight residue

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Best Viral: Banila Co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm
As with many beloved K-beauty products, Banila Co.’s cleansing balm features a whipped, almost sorbet-like texture. “Its lightweight sorbet texture melts seamlessly into a silky oil that breaks down even waterproof mascara without leaving behind a heavy residue,” Ventre previously told Vogue. “It is especially great for anyone who wants a quick yet thorough cleanse that leaves the skin feeling refreshed.” Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants thanks to a blend of bamboo and cherry extracts. No wonder it is a TikTok favorite and an Amazon bestseller with over 15,000 glowing reviews.

Key Ingredients: Synthetic wax, red root extract, vitamin E, bamboo extract, acerola (cherry) extract
Fragrance: Yes
Size: 25 mL / 100 mL / 80 mL

Love It
– Hypoallergenic formula
– Sorbet-like texture adds a pleasant sensorial experience

Leave It
– Not entirely free from synthetic ingredients

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Best Korean: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
“Cleansing with an oil-based cleanser and following up with a water-based cleanser is called a double cleanse, and it is a foundational part of an effective multistep skincare routine,” explains Soko Glam founder Charlotte Cho, citing the practice as integral to a Korean skincare routine. To do so, she often reaches for this Then I Met You elixir “to gently remove all of my makeup and rid skin of any oil-based impurities.” With ingredients like vitamin E, sea buckthorn, and persimmon extract, it leaves skin softer after each use.

Key Ingredients: Sea buckthorn, persimmon extract, vitamin E, olive oil
Fragrance: Yes (naturally derived)
Size: 3.17 fl oz / 9 g

Love It
– Hydrating formula
– Free from synthetic ingredients

Leave It
– Olive oil can be highly comedogenic (meaning it can clog pores in acne-prone skin types)

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Best Travel-Friendly: Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm
This TSA-friendly cleansing balm is perfect for on-the-go skincare.This cleansing balm is a must-have for any travel toiletry bag. “Ingredients like vitamin E, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and clove leaf oil help calm and hydrate skin while removing makeup—even waterproof formulas—and debris, without leaving skin feeling tight or dry,” says Dr. Camp. When you’re ready for a thorough cleanse at your destination, just massage a pea-sized amount onto your skin. It transforms into a milky cleanser upon contact with water.

Editor’s Experience: “This is easily one of the best cleansing balms ever. As Dr. Camp noted, it melts into the skin unlike anything I’ve tried, removing all residue and leaving my skin incredibly soft after rinsing.” —Kiana Murden, Beauty & Shopping Editor

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, jojoba oil, eucalyptus oil, avocado oil, clove leaf oil
Fragrance: Yes
Size: 2.3 fl oz

Love It:
* Vegan, cruelty-free formula without parabens, silicones, or sulfates.
* Soft texture that turns into a milky cleanser.

Leave It:
* Some with sensitive skin find the eucalyptus oil irritating to the eyes.

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### Best for Oily Skin: Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm

Why We Love It: This best-selling balm uses moringa extract with sunflower and ginger root oils to thoroughly lift away makeup and daily buildup. Papaya enzymes offer gentle exfoliation, leaving skin softer, smoother, and more hydrated with each cleanse. The delightful citrus scent from lime, bergamot, and orange essential oils is a bonus for fragrance lovers.

Key Ingredients: Papaya enzymes, moringa extract, sunflower and ginger root oils
Fragrance: Yes (naturally derived)
Size: 100 mL / 3.4 fl oz

Love It:
* Clean and hydrating formula.
* Provides gentle exfoliation.

Leave It:
* While lovely, some find the scent too strong.

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### Best Tube: Eadem Dew Dream Cleansing Balm

Why We Love It: A major perk of Eadem’s Dew Dream is its convenient, hygienic tube packaging—a great upgrade from jars. Simply squeeze out the balm instead of scooping. Its texture is uniquely a dense jelly rather than a typical whipped balm. “This jelly-to-milky cleanser is infused with botanicals like tiger grass, kalahari melon, moringa, and allantoin, leaving skin smooth and clean, not stripped,” says Dr. Camp.

Editor’s Experience: “Eadem’s formula shows that cleansing balms don’t need a traditional ‘balm’ texture. It’s a velvety gel that glides beautifully over the skin.” —Kiana Murden, Beauty & Shopping Editor

Key Ingredients: Tiger grass, kalahari melon, moringa, allantoin, licorice root, borage, glycerin
Fragrance: No
Size: 3.4 oz / 100 mL

Love It:
* Vegan, fragrance-free, and cruelty-free.
* Convenient tube for easy, hygienic dispensing.

Leave It:
* Some users report it’s less effective at removing eye makeup than face makeup.

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### Everything You Need to Know

What is a cleansing balm?
“A cleansing balm is an oil-based cleanser with a solid consistency,” explains triple-board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano. Packed with nourishing botanical oils and extracts, they’re ideal for a moisturizing cleanse, as the first step in double cleansing, or as an effective makeup remover.

Are cleansing balms effective?
In my experience, cleansing balms are highly effective at removing makeup and sunscreen without stripping the skin’s natural oils. “The oils in cleansing balms help break down makeup and clean away dirt, sunscreen, and other daily products,” says Dr. Turegano. She adds that because balms are formulated with oils and nourishing ingredients, they are excellent for hydrating the skin.Enriched with nourishing emollients and waxes, this cleansing balm cleanses skin without leaving it dry—and it works for all skin types, including oily skin.

What skin types should avoid cleansing balms?
According to Dr. Camp, oily or acne-prone skin doesn’t need to avoid cleansing balms entirely, but it’s important to pay attention to the ingredients when choosing one. He notes that cleansing balms are only the first step and should always be followed by a second cleanser to prevent residue. “Those with oily and acne-prone skin should avoid oils with higher comedogenic potential, like coconut oil,” says Dr. Camp.

However, if you notice consistent breakouts or clogged pores after using a cleansing balm, it may be better to switch to a non-comedogenic micellar water instead. If you’re unsure, you can check a product’s ingredient list using the Acne Clinic’s pore-clogging ingredients checker.

How to Use a Cleansing Balm
Dr. Turegano recommends using a cleansing balm as the first step in a double-cleansing routine. “First, warm the balm in your palms, then massage it onto your face for 30 to 60 seconds,” she explains. After rinsing, follow with a cream-based cleanser for dry skin or a gel-based cleanser for normal to oily skin.

From there, she might use a silicone cleansing brush to help remove impurities, followed by a nighttime skincare routine that includes a hydrating toner or serum, retinoid, and moisturizer. This leaves your skin thoroughly clean while maintaining its natural balance.

How We Tested
Our product testing takes a holistic approach to provide well-rounded recommendations. We rely on Vogue’s network of experts—including dermatologists, aestheticians, and makeup artists—to identify standout products they use with their clients. We combine their expertise with our editorial standards to curate thoughtful selections.

For cleansing balms, we evaluated ingredients, texture, packaging, fragrance, and how they address specific skincare concerns. We tested each formula personally, considered expert advice, and reviewed customer feedback to determine our top recommendations.

Meet the Experts
– Brendan Camp, MD: Double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist based in New York.
– Charlotte Cho: Co-founder of the marketplace Soko Glam.
– Lauren D’Amelio Ventre: Celebrity makeup artist, beauty educator, and founder of The Art of Enhancement, D’Amelio Cosmetics, and La Ve Da Beauty.
– Brielle Pollara: Professional makeup artist and licensed aesthetician in New York and New Jersey.
– Dara Spearman, MD: Board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana, specializing in melanoma and skin cancer care.
– Mamina Turegano, MD: Triple-board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist focused on the connection between mind, body, and skin health.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about cleansing balms designed to sound like questions from real people

Beginner General Questions

1 What exactly is a cleansing balm
Its a solid buttery cleanser that melts into an oil when you massage it onto your dry skin Its specifically designed to dissolve makeup sunscreen and daily grime effortlessly before you rinse it off

2 Why should I use a balm instead of a regular makeup wipe or micellar water
Balms are more effective and gentle They dissolve even waterproof makeup without harsh rubbing which can irritate skin They also leave your skin hydrated unlike wipes which can be drying and arent as thorough

3 Do I need to use another cleanser after a balm
Yes this is the key Cleansing balms are step one of a double cleanse You use the balm to remove makeup and surface impurities then follow with a gentle waterbased cleanser to clean your actual skin This ensures no oily residue is left behind

4 Will a cleansing balm clog my pores or cause breakouts
A wellformulated balm that is properly rinsed away should not clog pores In fact many are noncomedogenic The oils actually help dissolve the sebum and debris in your pores

5 Can I use a cleansing balm if I have oily or acneprone skin
Absolutely Dissolving oil with oil is very effective for oily skin types Look for balms with lighter oils and avoid those with heavy mineral oil if youre concerned

Usage Practical Tips

6 How do I use a cleansing balm correctly
1 Scoop a small amount with dry hands
2 Massage it onto dry skin and dry eyelids for 3060 seconds to melt everything
3 Add a little water to emulsifyit will turn milky
4 Rinse thoroughly
5 Follow immediately with your second cleanser

7 My balm leaves a weird film on my skin What am I doing wrong
You might not be emulsifying it enough with water or you might need a more effective second cleanser Ensure you