This rather uninspiring tin actually houses my desert-island beauty formula. I can never be without a tub of this stuff. It melts away makeup and grime in no time at all, smells divine and leaves skin feeling the best it can. It’s the absolute perfect product for sensitive skin. And have you seen that price?
£22
If you worry about cleansing balms being full of potentially irritating essential oils, here’s one for you. This simple but oh-so-effective balm is a go-to for makeup removal. This lightweight, non-fragranced balm gets to work in a matter of seconds.
Quite possibly one of the most well-loved cleansing balms around, this rich formula from Elemis is one of the best introductions to cleansing balms there is. Not only does it feel and smell amazing, but it’s also full of Padina pavonica, a particularly powerful skin-firming algae.
If luxurious skincare if your thing, listen up. This super-rich balm is jam-packed with nourishing (and amazing-smelling) oils. Besides the fact it leaves skin feeling beyond soft and supple, the blend of aromas makes for the most uplifting of regimes.
Along with Elemis Pro-Collagen, this cleansing balm is one of the most well-loved out there, having won multiple awards. Not only does it smell absolutely divine (and I mean it), but it also seems to calm, hydrate, smooth and plump all in one. It’s like beauty wizardry.
You might not have heard of this one before, but that’s not to say it’s not an absolute winner. It’s loved by celebrity facialists (and myself) because of its ability to not only melt away dirt and makeup wonderfully but also leave the skin totally calm and properly plumped. I like to think of it as a spa in a jar.
Unlike other balms, this clever stuff actually helps to decongest and purify. Formulated with Hungarian moor mud and different clays, it actually works to clear congested pores while strengthening the skin barrier at the same time. I swear by this if I have a special event that I want to be looking my glowiest for.
What’s fabulous about this balm in particular is the fact it promises to work for almost every skin type. And while I suggest it’s never a great idea to reach for a balm if you have sore, acneic skin, I know a huge number of people with varying skin types who swear by this balm. It’s a little expensive, sure, but the luxe formula makes it the ultimate treat for your skin.
For £27, this cleansing balm is seriously impressive and rivals some of the others double its price. Once you start massaging it into the skin, it turns into a super-nourishing oil that helps to break down makeup and dirt. As soon as you add water, the oil turns into a skin-soothing milk, leaving skin looking plump and glowing as soon as you wipe it off.
With the majority of cleansing balms containing a hefty number of essential oils to give them that luxury, spa-like edge, Drunk Elephant believes essential oils are troublesome for the skin and therefore formulate without them. In fact, the brand also formulates without potentially drying alcohols, silcones, fragrances/dyes and SLS. This cleansing balm is no less effective for it, though, dissolving makeup and dirt with ease while leaving skin baby-soft. For a deeper cleanse, it also comes with a Bamboo Booster, which acts as a physical exfoliant.
While most experts do advise a double cleanse, especially when using a cleansing balm, in order to give skin a truly deep clean, unless we have a constant reminder, it can be tough to find the motivation. This nifty cleanser, however, houses both a non-irritating balm and a cream cleanser to use afterwards.
This stuff might not be labelled as a balm, but it’s about as close to a cleansing balm as you can get without actually being one. Dispensed as a super-thick, balm-like gel, it melts into a silky oil when massaged in and works to rid skin of makeup and impurities. On top of that, it also uses enzymes and vitamins to slough away dead skin cells for next-level radiance.
I know this stuff is very expensive, but trust me when I say this luxury brand knows a thing or two about feel-good skincare. This balm sits somewhere between a jelly and balm texture, meaning it massages into skin effortlessly with maximum slip. It contains a concoction of oils, butters and waxes to leave skin almost impossibly soft.
This stuff is rich. It contains a bunch of antioxidants to really leave skin glowing. The texture is thick, meaning it requires a bit of elbow grease to work in (this really helps get blood flowing and helps to plump), but it’s sumptuous and totally beautiful. You could probably use it on your eyes to help remove mascara, but I prefer to go for something a little gentler.
This is a cleansing balm you can most definitely use on your eyes. It doesn’t have a scent, but that doesn’t make it any less luxurious to use. With prickly pear and hyaluronic acid to soften, hydrate and plump skin, it’s an absolute dream to use.
