These Cleansing Balms Deep Clean and Remove Makeup Without Drying Skin (2024)

You're probably familiar with traditional face wash formulas: foams, gels, liquids, creams. A newer addition to the category is the cleansing balm, part of the next generation of innovative cleanser formats created to meet needs not addressed by existing versions. "Cleansing balms are cleansing agents that are usually solid at room temperature, but melt on skin at body temperature," explains Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann.

Cleansing balms "are often buttery and oily in texture and mainly composed of plant oils and fats, such as fatty acids or their derivatives and waxes," says Wizemann, which means they "are effective in removing dirt, oil and cosmetics — even sunscreen and heavy makeup including waterproof mascara — when massaged into skin." And because they both cleanse and remove makeup, cleansing balms save money and time in your routine. "Cleansing balms are formulated with oils and hydrating ingredients, so they work without stripping away the skin’s natural oils and are more moisturizing than traditional cleansers," adds Ramya Garlapati, M.D., a dermatologist in Los Angeles, California.

The GH Beauty Lab is constantly testing face cleanser and makeup remover formulas, including cleansing balms. They are evaluated in the Lab for cleansing and makeup removal efficacy using scientific protocols and on consumer testers to gauge ease of use, product attributes like texture and scent, and look and feel of skin after use. In the GH Beauty Lab's most recent face cleanser and makeup remover tests, a total of 16,712 data points were tallied to find the top formulas on the market.

Our top picks:

Cleansing balms are ideal for all skin types: They're "very good for dry, sensitive and mature skin types, but even oily skin types can use cleansing balms, since oil attracts oil, so the oil in the cleansing balm will help break down excess sebum," says Carmen Castilla, M.D., a dermatologist and Clinical Instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. So whether you're oily, dry, sensitive or any combo therein, read all about the best cleansing balms you can buy for all skin types, plus expert tips on how to shop for and use them.

Gently cleanse skin and whisk away makeup at the same time with this buttery Clinique balm based on safflower seed oil, the winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s makeup remover test. The fragrance-free face wash earned the top score in Lab testing for needing the fewest swipes to completely remove makeup. Plus, 100% of testers agreed that it rinsed off easily and didn’t irritate or bring on breakouts. “Dissolved all my sunscreen and makeup almost instantly,” and, “skin felt fresh, clean and so soft,” two testers raved, though it may leave some residue behind on eyes after rinsing. The formula is also a favorite of GH's beauty director and Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn.

This affordably-priced E.l.f. cleansing balm, infused with sunflower oil and ceramides, was a top performer in GH Beauty Lab makeup remover testing. In Lab evaluations, it scored on par with the winner for removing makeup in one swipe. A full 100% of users agreed it spread evenly onto skin, didn't irritate eyes and made skin look smooth. It aso rated best for its "subtle" scent. Caveats: two testers reported breakouts after use, so this may not be the best option for acne-prone skin and the product is a smaller size than other cleansing balms.) "Makeup came off easily and my face looked clean, bright and it felt smooth," a tester commented.

Cleansing balms can work on oily skin, too. Case in point: this formula from Milk Makeup, a favorite of GH's beauty assistant. "It easily and swiftly removes my makeup, sunscreen and any other dirt from the day without stripping my skin," Malzahn reports. "Formulated with a blend of oils, hyaluronic acid and aloe, it leaves my skin feeling hydrated yet not oily." She does note, though, that it doesn’t completely remove mascara.

A GH Beauty Award winner and editor favorite, Naturopathica's rich balm cleanser is made with high levels of moisturizing ingredients like plant oils (sweet almond, soybean, argan) and butters (shea, cocoa). Users found that the slightly sweet-scented formulation relieves dehydrated skin as it gently cleanses. Though it's a splurge, the balm works wonders on dry complexions: "My inflamed face actually felt better and more nourished, not parched like with other cleansers,” a tester noted.

GH Institute Deputy Editor Jessica Teich is a fan of this fresh, "light"-scented Farmacy formula, which excelled at sweeping away makeup and deep cleansing in GH Beauty Lab testing. It scored high in Lab assessments for fully removing makeup in the least amount of swipes and with testers for making skin look and feel clean, not irritating or causing breakouts, spreading smoothly and not being messy. "This truly dissolves all traces of even stubborn eye makeup and leaves skin feeling refreshed and soft, never greasy," Teich says. "My face doesn't feel clean without it." She adds that it can make eyes water if not thoroughly removed. Dr. Garlapati and GH Associate Product & Reviews Editor Jacqueline Saguin also recommend the brand's fragrance-free Clearly Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm for sensitive skin.

Recommended by Dr. Castilla for its effectiveness at dissolving makeup, fragrance-free Paula's Choice also earned top marks in GH Beauty Lab testing for not stinging or irritating skin. It ranked well among testers for being easy to dispense and apply and not tugging on skin, though Lab assessment found it may require more effort to thoroughly remove makeup and impurities. "It was not harsh on my eyes and the skin underneath my eyes," a tester remarked. "It went on smooth and nourishes the sensitive skin under my eyes."

Get a deep, softening cleanse and an aromatherapy experience simultaneously with this classic, luxurious Elemis cleansing balm, both GH's beauty director and Wizemann's go-to. Although it's a splurge, an infusion of nine essential oils including lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus gives the formula an herbal, spa-like aroma. "My skin (and nose) loved it – I liked the soothing lavender scent this cleansing balm oozed and the relaxing ready-for-bed mindset it put me in," Wizemann enthused. "It removed my sunscreen, tinted moisturizer and any eye makeup I applied that day with ease."

Get cleansing, makeup removal and exfoliation in one swipe with Avon's multi-tasking formulation."It exfoliates and takes off the day’s makeup and dirt at the same time, taking an extra step out of my nighttime routine," Malzahn says. "In addition to removing makeup really well, it leaves my skin feeling fresh and supple without stripping." Be aware that the formula may pill when rubbed onto skin.

Infused with several botanical extracts (true to its name), this True Botanicals cleansing balm even worked for a GH beauty editor who is susceptible to breakouts. "I have oily, sensitive skin that's prone to redness and breakouts, but this is incredibly gentle and soothing," says GH Beauty Editor Celia Shatzman. "It washes away without leaving a trace of residue behind." She also praised the product's "crisp, gingery scent." Note that some users commented that it was difficult to rinse off.

Trinny London's cleansing balm is boosted with skin-brightening fruit enzymes and comes in a refillable bottle. "I love that this one is good for all skin types and both hydrates and brightens my skin," says GH Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price. Some reviewers reported reactions after using the product, so it may not be best for those with sensitivity, but if your skin can tolerate it, we like that the pineapple enzyme works to exfoliate skin as it cleanses skin and removes makeup.

GH's beauty director stores this Sunday Riley cleansing balm in her shower to rinse away grime while making skin feel soothed. Made with cocoa butter and sunflower seed wax, it also contains chamomile essential oil to calm skin. Lightly sweet-smelling, the solid formulation has a pretty light blue color thanks to blue tansy essential oil, though the texture is slightly grainy.

At a portable size, GH's beauty editor loves that this Nudestix cleansing balm works for both home and travel. (Though it is pricey for the amount of product, you only need a small amount). "It truly removes every drop of makeup, leaves my skin super fresh, clean and moisturized, and has a lovely light citrus scent," Price says.

"The components of cleansing balms work on the chemical principle that 'like dissolves like', where compounds with similar characteristics will dissolve each other," says Wizemann. The oils in a cleansing balm break down and effectively whisk away dirt, oil and makeup. Wizemann adds, "They may also contain a small amount of surfactant, which helps loosen the substances to be cleansed off of skin and helps other ingredients dissolve."

Yes, they can be, dermatologist experts agree. "Cleansing balms tend to be less irritating and less likely to break down your skin barrier, which leads to dry, irritated skin," Dr. Castilla says. "They can also leave a hydrating layer behind on skin."