In This Story:
- Why Pick a Cleansing Balm Over Micellar Water?
- How Often to Use a Cleansing Balm?
- An Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Balm
- A Cleansing Balm Containing Skin-Loving Ingredients
- A Non-Greasy, Non-Drying Cleansing Balm
- A Cleansing Balm Suitable For All Skin Types
- A Cleansing Balm That Removes Longwear, Waterproof Makeup
- A Nasties-Free Cleansing Balm
- A Vegan and Gender-Neutral Cleansing Balm
- A Glow-Giving Cleansing Balm
- A Detoxifying Cleansing Balm
- An Easy-to-Use, Hassle-Free Cleansing Balm
For the uninitiated, eliminating the last traces of makeup before you hit the hay is non-negotiable, as leftover residue can clog pores, cause redness and skin irritation, and even trigger breakouts. Here’s where the double-cleansing routine comes into play. This two-step ritual is critical for squeaky clean skin – especially for those who put makeup on the regular.
The first step of double-cleansing involves using micellar water, an oil-based cleanser, or a cleansing balm to slough away deep-seated makeup residue and impurities. This is followed by a second cleanse featuring your regular cleanser or face wash to remove additional dirt and grime. While everyone is eligible for a good K-beauty cleanse, certain skin types desire it more than others…
Why Pick a Cleansing Balm Over Micellar Water?
Micellar water suits all skin types; normal to oily skin should gravitate towards water-based removers. Meanwhile, normal to dry skin craves rich, oil-based formulations that boast moisturising ingredients. The latter is also more effective for those who regularly apply makeup, as it helps remove tough residue. Hence, cleansing balms are perfect for dry skin and regular makeup wearers. Most balms emulsify into oils when in contact with water as you massage them onto your skin, lending ample nourishment for epidermal suppleness. So, all in all, it comes down to your personal preference.
How Often to Use a Cleansing Balm?
Double-cleansing is typically done at nighttime to eliminate the day’s dirt, grime, and impurities. If you’re wearing makeup, ensure that you double-cleanse before getting into bed. Alternatively, even a single cleanse would be sufficient. Follow up this first step with an active-infused moisturiser to restore water loss and reinstall optimal hydration. Below, we’ve rounded up the best emollient balms to remove it all.
An Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Balm
The Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm is enriched with vitamin E, jojoba oil, and eucalyptus oil for optimal skin conditioning. Besides melting away stubborn makeup sans stripping your skin’s moisture, the balm-to-milk consistency rinses off without leaving an oily residue.
A Cleansing Balm Containing Skin-Loving Ingredients
A dermatologically-tested sorbet-like balm, COSRX’s Cica Smoothing Cleansing Balm breaks down pore-clogging impurities and improves texture to give you refreshed, glowing skin. It effortlessly removes makeup using green-grade, skin-safe ingredients – such as the Pure Fit Cica-7 Complex, coconut extract, and shea butter – to ensure your skin is adequately cleansed.
A Non-Greasy, Non-Drying Cleansing Balm
Suitable for all skin types and phthalates, paraben, and fragrance-free, Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm features a lightweight texture and instantly dissolves into a silky oil upon application. It is non-greasy and non-drying and removes all impurities, pollutants, and dirt.
A Cleansing Balm Suitable For All Skin Types
Slough away makeup with the Dot & Key Strawberry Dew Melt-in-a-Flash Cleansing Balm, which lends a non-greasy finish accompanied by a delicious strawberry scent. As per consumer testing, 98% of users claimed it melted waterproof makeup within seconds. Meanwhile, 100% agreed that it didn’t leave their skin feeling dry or tight.
A Cleansing Balm That Removes Longwear, Waterproof Makeup
Incorporate this luxe offering into your nighttime skincare regime to rinse away any residue and keep your skin soft and supple. As per consumer testing, 99% of users agreed that their skin felt smooth and nourished, 97% claimed it left them with a luminous glow, and 98% reported healthy skin after using the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Balm.
A Nasties-Free Cleansing Balm
This sherbet-textured cleansing balm, powered by natural hanbang – a traditional Korean herbal medicine – intensely moisturises and brightens your skin, providing moisture and nourishment. The Nutrient-rich Beauty of Joseon’s Radiance Cleansing Balm also soothes sensitivities and protects your skin.
A Vegan and Gender-Neutral Cleansing Balm
Ideal for all skin types, including acne-prone skin, the Plum E-Luminence Simply Supple Cleansing Balm gently removes makeup and impurities, imbued with vitamin E, shea and kokum butter, and eight plant-derived oils. Minus toxins and brimming with hydration heroes, add this well-priced formulation to your cart today.
A Glow-Giving Cleansing Balm
If you’re willing to splurge big, consider spending your money on the L'Occitane Immortelle Divine Cleansing Balm. It contains beeswax, sweet almond oil, and immortelle essential oil and seamlessly removes makeup while visibly smoothening your skin’s appearance and enhancing inherent radiance.
A Detoxifying Cleansing Balm
Boasting a harmonious blend of cherry blossom, grapefruit, moringa seed oil, salicylic acid, and pearl, Quench’s Dirt-Dissolving formulation eliminates makeup, dirt, and impurities while detoxifying and moisturising your skin.
An Easy-to-Use, Hassle-Free Cleansing Balm
Turn to this portable, daily-use Coffee Culture Cleansing Balm Stick, enriched with aloe vera, cica, organic jojoba oil, and cupuacu butter, to deeply cleanse and nourish your skin. While coffee seed oil helps perk up dull, tired-looking skin, olive oil lends myriad antioxidant properties.
