The Best Cleansing Balms of the Year, Honestly Reviewed
Eight cult cleansing balms, four months of testing and the only three our editors will keep in their bathrooms.
A great cleansing balm is the unsung hero of any double-cleanse routine. It melts sunscreen and makeup without stripping the barrier, rinses cleanly with water and leaves the skin feeling soft rather than tight.
After four months of nightly testing across eight of the year's most-recommended formulas, three rose to the top. The winner was a botanical-rich balm that emulsified into a milk on contact with water, removed even waterproof mascara and left no greasy film.
A second favorite was an apothecary-style balm built around moringa and rosehip — slightly heavier, ideal for dry skin in winter and a joy to massage into the face for a few extra minutes.
The third pick was the budget hero of the test, available at most drugstores for under twenty dollars. It does not have the luxurious texture of the higher-end picks, but it cleanses thoroughly and respects the skin barrier.
Avoid balms loaded with synthetic fragrance or coconut oil at the top of the ingredient list — they are the most common culprits behind congestion and breakouts.