7 Best Cleansing Balms That Remove Makeup Without Stripping Skin

Frequently Asked Questions

How are cleansing balms different from traditional facial cleansers?

Cleansing balms are oil-based formulas that can break down stubborn makeup, SPF, and excess oil more easily than your usual gel face wash alone. They’re “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, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Due to their gentler, moisturizing nature, these balmy cleansers are ideal makeup remover options for those with dry skin and eczema, Dr. Akhavan says. (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.” After a thorough massage, splash on some warm or cool (never hot) water to emulsify before washing it all off. Or, you can use a clean, wet washcloth to gently wipe away the product. Complete your double-cleansing routine with a water-based face wash, and you’ll notice how clean your skin looks and feels.

Meet the experts

• Arash Akhavan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based at the Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City
• Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
• Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas
• Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut
• Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Newport Beach, California
• Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Smarter Skin Dermatology based in New York City

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.

For our list of the best cleansing balms, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.