8.17.2016

Best Cleansing Balms/Makeup Melters


Have you ever tried a cleansing balm? I *love* them and have been a fan for years--I even make my own. It sounds exactly like you think--a thick balm that melts once it makes contact with the skin and liquifies. It reminds me a little of vaseline but in a firmer consistency, like a salve.
  • It's also called a Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm because many come with a cloth that you wet with hot water and place on the face to remove the makeup once the balm has been rubbed in.
  • While it's usable for all skin types, dry and normal will really love it. 
  • If you wear a lot of makeup, you'll love it. It does not leave the skin oily or with residue.
  • I think of it as a mini spa treatment as well. Off and on the past couple of years, I've tested 10 cleansing balms (actually more) and am finally ready to share them with you!
    • I am rating these 0-10, and tested them against all types of makeup, especially liquid lipsticks and waterproof mascaras.


  • $8.49
  • Target, online
  • Hypoallergenic, gluten free, Mineral Oil-free, labeled paraben-free
  • comes with cloth
    • Overall: 7
  • $18.50
  • No paraben / No Synthetic perfume / No Artificial pigment
  • This comes with a scoop, which I love, and it has THE cutest packaging
    • Overall: 10 LOVE this
  • $16.70
  • Comes in 3 scents
  • Korean--referred to as a "sherbert cleanser"
  • comes with a cloth
    • Overall: 9
  • $38
  • softens skin and can be used as a masque
  • I bought one but then I also received one as a sample.
    • Overall: 9.5
  • $57
  • Help to recondition dull, dry, dehydrated and mature skins
  • Comes with AMAZING thick cloth. The other cloths are usually muslin.
  • This was the one that was the highest-recommended by others.
    • Overall: 9

6--Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm
  • $65
  • Loofah Seed and Moringa Oil
  • One of my faves, and similar to the EH one.
  • Comes with cloth
  • PR sample
    • Overall: 9
  • $20
  • sweet almond oil, shea butter, and vitamin E
  • PR sample
  • Did not do a good job of removing makeup
    • Overall: 5
  • $29
  • Small for the price, but really good
    • Overall: 9
  • $18
  • Fortified with vitamins A, C, and E and a blend of plant-derived sterols and lipids
  • Technically just for eyes, but I have used it on my face in a pinch--just wanted to show an option for those who just do eye makeup.
  • The only one that was unscented
    • Overall: 8
  • $14.99 for a tiny container
  • Comes with a cloth
  • Has a rougher texture, almost like tiny beads that instantly dissolve.
  • Smells like apple
    • Overall: 9

In Conclusion:
  • Based on the prices for most of these, cleansing balms can definitely be a luxury item, but I love using them. 
  • I know some of you will suggest coconut oil. This is kind of similar in texture and purpose, but coconut oil leaves the skin oily/moisturized, like you can tell you have product on afterwards. Cleansing balms leave you with soft, clean skin. Plus, none of these have ever broken me out, and coconut oil breaks out my skin every time it's on my face.
  • I also reviewed a cleansing balm from ELF back in January and thought it was ok.
Have you ever tried a cleansing balm?


Extra Elle:
  • Thanks everyone who read this post yesterday!! Your support has been amazing!
  • Big news: I'm going to be a speaker for the Social Media Panel for the General Assembly next week in Atlanta. It's free if you'd like to go. Let me know and I'll give you all the details.

43 comments:

  1. This is such a great post Elle! I've never tried a cleansing balm, but have definitely been interested since I was such a big fan of a cleansing oil in the past. I've had my eye on the Clinique balm, but have heard good things about the IT cosmetics one recently too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is a great round up of cleansing balms, Elle! I'm so excited to try the IT Bye Bye Makeup. I'm loving all of their products! Congrats on speaking on the social media panel. So exciting!

    xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like an awesome product! I have such dry skin so this would be great! And congrats on being a speaker for the social media panel for the general assembly! That's awesome, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I didn't realize that there were cleansing balms. Thanks for always keeping me up to date on skincare. :)

    http://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. who knew?! a little spa treatment is just the ticket. i have almost bought that clinique one many times but now i think i may just snag it. great reviews!

    xoxo cheshire kat

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am obsessed with Bye Bye Makeup. It takes all of my mascara off! Congrats on being a speaker, you'll do great!

    Xoxo,
    Whitney & Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

    ReplyDelete
  7. I adore the Emma Hardie one, I have the clinique for now but it isn't my favourite one.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've never heard a cleansing balm. How cool!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have never heard of a cleansing balm before! Very interesting! Thank you for enlightening me about another beauty product I now need to buy, lol! xo

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've never tried a cleansing balm, but that needs to change! Super intrigued by the Eve Lom Cleanser, such a great pricepoint too <3
    Green Fashionista

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've never tried a cleansing balm before. I have pretty oily skin for most of the year, so I'm always scared to have them potentially make me more oily. I'd definitely be willing to give one a try though! Thanks for such a thorough review of these :)

    Katy
    skinstuffbykaty.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I just tried my friend's take the day off when I was house sitting for her last weekend and was so impressed! It really did what it said and left no residue! Good luck with the speaking gig!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am totally intrigued by this trend. Do you reco for oily skin?

    ReplyDelete
  14. I can't believe I've never tried a cleansing balm before! You have me so intrigued and I'm so happy that I have several to choose from! Cannot wait to try one of these

    ReplyDelete
  15. i have never tried a cleansing balm, i will check out the heimish one as you gave it a 10 and the price isn't bad at all. i have never tried coconut oil on my face because i can't get the stupid stuff out of the jar lol.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've never tried a cleansing balm! Sounds awesome though! Some of the prices are a little steep but might have to check out the hemish one!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

    ReplyDelete
  17. I haven't tried a cleansing balm yet, but you are making me want to!!! Congrats on the Social Media Panel!! That is awesome, if I were in Atlanta and not having to work I would totally come. Know I am there in spirit!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the name of Clinique - "Take the Day Off" :) clever.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've never even heard of these but they sound glorious . . . and yay for you on the Social Media Panel! Rock on!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've never used a cleansing balm, mainly because I try my hardest to avoid jar products. lol It's just a personal thing, but they gross me out. The few jar things I do own, I use a clean spoon to scoop the product out. I'm a weirdo.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've never heard of cleansing balms, but they sound awesome! I'll have to look into some of your higher rated ones!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've actually never used a cleansing balm before! I have used coconut oil for removing makeup, but I didn't like doing that. I do use it everynight though, crazy it breaks your face out!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love Cleansing balms. My favorite is the Clinique one, but the Emma Hardie one is a close second. I don't like Eve Lom because it contains mineral oil and just received the Pixi one to test.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats on being chosen to speak at the conference!! Go you!!

    I've never tried one of these before, but they sound like a nice splurge here or there. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have never, ever tried a cleansing balm. I should really check one of these out. I love Pixi and It products, so maybe I'll start there. I have seen that Clinique one in the counter!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Banila All Clean Zero is a old time fave of mine. I just got the Heimish one and I'm curious to see how it will compare. Congratulations Elle!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I can't believe I've never heard of cleansing balms! Thank you for this thorough rundown! Congrats on being chosen as a speaker for the Social Media Panel!

    Jill
    Doused in Pink

    ReplyDelete
  28. I've been really wanting to try a cleansing balm, so this is great! I had a small sample of the Clinique one and really liked it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I've never tried one of these, but I've heard great things about the one from it cosmetics!

    xo,
    Angela

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm with the other ladies, I've never tried one of these before but I will be soon! The Clinique one sounds great! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh wow no I have not heard of cleansing balms, they seem like they would be great for winter. I am going to look in these when the weather turns cold.

    Allie of ALLIENYC
    www.allienyc.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Awesome review! I've been curious about cleansing balms, but I haven't tried one yet :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. I wish I was in Atlanta to hear you speak! You go girl! I think I need to try one of these when my cleanser is out. They sound awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Good luck on the panel - I'm sure you'll rock!! I've never even heard of cleansing balms...! Love learning about new things from you!

    ReplyDelete
  35. What a great list, Elle! I have never tried cleansing balm before but I have read really amazing reviews for the Clinique one and that's already in my list to try.

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oh I've never tried a cleansing balm but that Clinique one looks familiar - I may have a little sample size I got as a gift with purchase, I'll need to hunt it out and give it a go! :)


    Away From The Blue Blog

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love cleansing balms too. My favorites are the Clinique and the camomile one from The Body Shop. My mom wants to try the It Cosmetics so I'm going to let her buy it and then I can sample it ;)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Cleansing Balms are my favourite - I love the Emma Hardie one and I adore Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm! xx

    Beautylymin| Abercrombie & Fitch First Instinct Giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  39. I haven't tried cleansing balms but they definitely interest me. I would like to try a sample of one before buying to see if I like it first.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I have Clinque and love it. I would be interested in trying out the other ones!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Congrats on being a speaker on the Social Media Panel, that is awesome! I've never heard of a cleansing balm, but the idea (especially with the hot towel) sounds SO comforting.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I've been wanting to try cleansing balms, but a lot of the good ones seem to be expensive. Not that that has ever stopped me before! lol Thanks for reviewing all of these!

    ReplyDelete

I respond to comments via email, so make sure I can respond!
For a faster response, please use Twitter or email: elleseesyou@gmail.com

More ways to keep up with me: Bloglovin, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram , Youtube or email: elleseesyou@gmail.com

You made my day by visiting! See ya tomorrow :)

Disclaimer:

All products mentioned are purchased by me unless stated.
All pics, thoughts, etc, are mine unless otherwise noted. Publishing or redistributing any content from this blog is strictly prohibited. Please seek permission first. Thank you.




Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...