Cleansing is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine, yet for many, it feels like the most tiresome. As a skin expert, I love that feeling of removing the day and know it’s the first step in any routine that paves the way for great skin. Cleansing balms and oils can save you time and money as they’re one of the most efficient ways to cleanse the skin.
Every day your skin is exposed to dirt, grime, and pollution, but this is where cleansing balms make light work of effortlessly removing these impurities and delivering a range of skincare benefits. With the right cleansing balm, you’ll fall in love with cleansing again. Like many skincare products, not all cleansing balms are created equally so there are a few things to consider.
Why use a cleansing balm?
Cleansing balms are highly effective at breaking down and removing all types of makeup, including waterproof and long-wearing formulas. Their oil-based nature allows them to dissolve even the most stubborn products, ensuring a thorough cleanse while staying super gentle for all skin types. Typically cleansing balms are a combination of oils, plant waxes, and butters to help dissolve and break down makeup, dirt, and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Are cleansing balms just for dry skin?
Naturally, you think of cleansing balms and oils as brilliantly nourishing for dry skin, yet in reality they can be effective for all skin types including oily and combination. If you’re acne prone there are things you should look out for when choosing your cleansing balm. Avoid cleansing balms that leave your skin feeling stripped but equally, steer clear of those that leave a heavy residue from the oils and butter which can clog pores. Below, I have highlighted the ones to lean towards which have been tested to be non-comedogenic.
What makes a great cleansing balm?
The first thing I look for is how effectively the cleansing balm breaks down makeup. A good cleansing balm ensures you wake up with a fresh face with no mascara in sight nor panda eyes.
Melting away the makeup and impurities is the first hurdle that some cleansing balms fail at. While I love a cleansing balm that delivers an experience, I’ve come to accept that it's not for everyone, particularly those with sensitive skin who’ll need a naked cleansing balm free from fragrance and essential oils. A good cleansing balm should condition the skin leaving it clean, soft, supple, and clean.
Incorporating a cleansing balm into your makeup removal routine not only ensures that your skin is clean and free from impurities, but should also provide nourishment and protection. The right cleansing balm enhances your skincare routine, providing a luxurious and effective way to maintain healthy, radiant skin.
I’m excited to share my top cleansing balms of 2025!
You can view my favourites under £15 best cleansing balms HERE.
Best Under £25
Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm
This product holds the dreamiest of textures instantly melting makeup and breaking down impurities. Referred to as a sorbet-like texture from Naturium, the Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm is without PEGS (which have caused a lot of controversy due to their negative impact on the environment). It’s packed with gorgeous plant oils rich in omegas and fatty acids. Thanks to chia seeds and jojoba seed oil which are both rich in linoleic acid (also known as vitamin F), this formula is super beneficial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier while the purple ginseng helps reduce oiliness.
Fragrance-free, great for all skin types especially oily and combination.
Best Under £25
Clinique Take The Day Off™ Cleansing Balm
This is a brilliant cleansing balm for all skin types, but especially combination and oily as it leaves the skin feeling clean and clear. Within the blink of an eye, makeup, dirt, and impurities are effortlessly removed leaving the skin soft without that oily feeling. Even when the cleansing balm melts, it’s less greasy than other cleansing balms I’ve tried, plus, fragrance-free so it’s perfect for sensitive skin too. The hero ingredient is safflower, which is rich in linoleic acid (a fatty acid the body can’t reproduce) and is key in supporting the strength of your skin barrier, preventing water loss and leaving the skin feeling soft and supple. You may have heard of Capric triglyceride. It’s a well-known emollient used in many cleansing balms that has the powerful ability to support the skin’s microbiome, smooth the skin surface, and help retain moisture leaving no greasy feeling on the skin.
Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, great for all skin types especially oily and combination.
Elemis Super Food Glow Cleansing Butter
I adore this cleansing balm! If you love ELEMIS and you’re after a fragrance-free cleansing balm, I urge you to try the Superfood Glow Cleansing Butter, it’s simply divine. This glow-getting facial cleanser removes every last trace of makeup, daily pollutants and daily grime to reveal a healthy-looking radiance. The unique blend of fermented Pumpkin enzymes & Acerola Cherry are naturally rich in AHAs to help brighten skin, while the Mango Butter and Chia Seed Oil, rich in omega fatty acids, nourish and hydrate the skin. The brightening, buttery formula can be used as a daily cleanser, a deep cleansing mask, or as a hydrating makeup remover for the eyes and face.
Includes fragrance, great for all skin types.
Best £40 & Under
Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
This is a stunning cleansing balm that smells gorgeous and feels buttery and silky smooth. The oils are lightweight, hydrating and brightening, leaving the skin supple and soft after the first cleanse. Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm reminds me a lot of Skin Rocks Cleansing Balm when it comes to colour, texture and performance. Just like the Skin Rocks Cleansing Balm, this too is packed with fatty acids to protect the skin barrier and prevent water loss. Seaberry/Sea Buckthorn Oil is packed with omegas to bring instant comfort and replenishment, while the fruit extract persimmon is packed with anti oxidants to help the skin defend itself from environmental aggressions.
Free of mineral oil, alcohol, silicone, parabens, artificial coloring, and synthetic fragrance, great for all skin types, cruelty free and vegan.
TATCHA The Indigo Cleansing Balm
When Tatcha creates new skincare, you can guarantee I will be one of the first to try! When it comes to textures, everything from this brand is perfection. My love for Japanese texture continues with Tatcha scientists creating beautiful formulas. Thanks to the Japanese Indigo extract known for its healing properties, it’s perfect for all skin types including sensitive skin. This extract helps calm and soothe the skin while the famous Tatcha Hadasei-3 (a combination of superfoods and amino acids) support the skin barrier. This product is nutrient dense and packed with fermented rice, green tea and algae that bring softness, smoothness and hydration.
Best for all skin types including sensitive, Fragrance-free.
Liz Earle Superskin Advanced Nourishing Cleansing Balm
This balm is so different from Elemis and Wildsmith Skin, it’s solid to the initial touch and with the help of plant oils and waxes, melts away beautifully upon application. This unique texture makes it feel like it's working like a magnet, grabbing and pulling all the impurities away from the skin. It’s also packed with plant oils to help reinforce the skin barrier and protect the skin from losing moisture. Suitable for all skin types, but if you have combination skin, or you’re prone to breakouts, I think you will particularly love this formula as it’s less greasy than other cleansing balms on the market. It helps protect and shield collagen thanks to the antioxidants in the formula leaving the skin velvety smooth, with no residue or tightness.
Includes fragrance, great for all skin types.
Best Under £50
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Believe the hype, this is a multi-award winner for a reason. The Elemis Cleansing Balms are not only known for their skin conditioning and deeply cleansing properties, but also for their divine aromatics. Elemis cleansing balms are an experience, from the divine texture, the way it transforms into a milk, and the beautiful aromas. There is not a skin type that wouldn’t benefit from this cleansing balm thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it perfect for all skin. Featuring sweet almond oil (a botanical hero) it can reinforce the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, infuse the skin with antioxidants, and bring anti-bacterial properties. Elderberry and Borage Oil (starflower) deliver high levels of fatty acids to prevent water loss and strengthen the skin's barrier. If you wear heavy makeup, you may opt for the Clinique Take The Day Off as that melts away makeup the quickest.
My personal favourite is Black Cherry!
Includes fragrance and great for all skin types.
BUY BLACK CHERRY HERE: LOOK FANTASTIC
BUY ORIGINAL HERE: LOOK FANTASTIC
There is a fragrance free Pro Collagen Naked Cleansing Balm and the Elemis Superfood Glow Cleansing Butter is also fragrance free.
Best under £60
Skin Rocks The Cleansing Balm
Everything about this cleansing balm is divine. If you love fragrance in your skincare and the idea of shutting yourself away in your bathroom having the most blissful skincare moment, this cleansing balm is for you. From the aroma to the texture, you’ll adore this product. Packed with brilliant ingredients to strengthen and support the skin barrier, this cleansing balm will not only cleanse your skin effectively, but additionally increase moisture & prevent water loss for a hydrated, radiant complexion.
Great for dry, thirsty parched skin.
Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm
This is a firm favourite, everything about this cleansing balm is delicious! From the silky texture and beautiful aroma to the way it melts away makeup effortlessly leaving your skin glowing, supple, soft and hydrated. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fatty acids, the skin is replenished daily and the complexion glows. The combination of the moringa seed extract to detoxify and deeply cleanse, and the wild sea fennel that brings radiance and luminosity, you can’t help but keep going back to this award-winning cleansing balm. With the infusion of neroli, mandarin, jasmine and rose essential oils - it’s a beautiful cleansing experience.
Great for dry, thirsty parched skin.
Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse
The texture, aroma and performance of this cleansing balm is superb. The Cleansing balm melts makeup effortlessly and the ingredients and formula that Sarah has included are stunning, hardworking, and exactly what the skin needs. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, peptides, and omegas, this makes the perfect end-of-the-day cleanser to prep your skin for your evening skincare routine. I appreciate the airless pump, and I enjoyed this in the summer when balms can be tricky (especially when traveling).
Includes fragrance and is best for dry skins.
Wildsmith Active Repair Nourishing Cleansing Balm
This is one of the most skin-loving cleansing balms you will find. Free from PEGs, this formula feels like nature is hugging and nurturing your skin. Every ingredient is chosen meticulously for its skincare benefits, bursting with botanical oils, butters, and waxes to leave the skin hydrated, soft, and supple after the first cleanse. The aroma is beautiful and the texture is beyond inviting. Be careful as you don’t need much to effortlessly remove your make up, and with natural surfactants to remove daily grime, this cleansing balm is a beautiful experience and will leave your skin so soft.
Fragrance-free however does includes essential oils, great for all skin types.
If you managed to read all of this, congratulations! I know you’ll ask me for my top three, so I thought I would sneak these in at the end:
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm, BUY HERE.
Then I met You Living Cleansing Balm, BUY HERE.
Skin Rocks The Cleansing Balm, BUY HERE FRAGRANCED, BUY HERE NON FRAGRANCED
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Fiona X