The Best Cleansing Balms

There are hundreds of products to choose from the shelves of our favourite beauty stores, so when the choice is overwhelming, which ones make the cut? Each week I seek out the best beauty buys for every category of the beauty world - because if you’re anything like me, you need a shortlist first. Expect every Sunday to bring an edit of the best products money can buy, so you guys can make an informed purchase without the hours of internet stalking.

My first instalment of this series is dedicated to cleansing balms - my favourite type of cleanser and the true multitaskers of the cleansing world - they have benefits for every skin type. Thick and buttery in texture, balms melt into an oil once massaged into skin and are removed (with a hot cloth) to reveal skin that feels clean, soft, and nourished. They’re excellent makeup removers, perfect for giving oneself a facial-style massage, and will help to restore balance to skin that is excessively dry or oily.

Eve Lom Cleanser - £20-85

If you’ve stuck around since my early blogging days you’ll know that this is a long-term favourite of mine - in fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s my favourite cleanser of all time. Of the cleansers in this list, this is the most exfoliating - it really helps to smooth rough and uneven surface texture, and plunges deep into pores to tackle stubborn congestion.

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm - £47

I’m a big fan of Emma Hardie! Every product I’ve tried is amazing but this cleansing balm is definitely my stand-out favourite from the brand. It works magic at melting away makeup, and smells beautiful. I’d recommend this to any skin type, especially those prone to blemishes or sensitivity as it’s so soothing.

Upcircle Cleansing Face Balm - £18.95

Packed with good grade oils (including rosemary, olive, oat, and sea buckthorn) this balm feels like the ultimate skin food, and leaves my skin feeling super soft and nourished. It’s ever so slightly exfoliating, thanks to the inclusion of finely ground apricot stones (ethically sourced as bi-products of the apricot oil industry), so is incredibly efficient at smoothing uneven texture.

Rodial Pink Diamond Cleansing Balm - £55

This errs on the side of a lighter, gel texture and is ideal for oilier skin types that require balance restoring - since traditional foam and gel cleansers often exacerbate oily skin. Enriched with sweet almond and rice oils, it not only melts away makeup but conditions and repairs skin to boot, working in the long-term to counteract the over-production of oil.

RMK Moist Cleansing Balm - £30

This balm is perfect if you like to incorporate facial massage into your cleansing process. It melts from a solid to a fine and silky oil in seconds, spreads easily, and doesn’t disappear into skin - so you can keep on massaging for as long as you want. What’s more, the fragrant blend of mango butter and avocado and rosehip oils makes the entire cleansing process a delight.

Clinique Take The Day Off - £25

This is such a simple, basic (in a good way), ‘does what it says on the tin’ cleanser. Easy to use and not abrasive or too rich, it’s a real go-to for makeup removal, especially if you’re trying to wean yourself off face wipes and make your cleansing process less wasteful. A little goes a long way and even stubborn mascara doesn’t stand a chance.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm - £44

I always recommend this to clients whose skin is going through a dry phase, or those who want to tweak their routine for winter, since it’s jam-packed with vitamin E. Removed with a warm flannel and followed by some hydrating serums and a moisture mask, it’s great for combatting tight, rough, flaky patches.

Yes To Coconuts Cleansing Balm - £9.99

Budget cleansing balms rarely perform as well as their more expensive counterparts - since it’s so easy to bulk them up with cheap oils that serve no purpose to the formula. This is a rare exception - and would be a perfect choice for someone new to cleansing balms, looking to test out the waters. It removes makeup and conditions skin in one fell swoop.