Cleansing Balm

What is a cleansing balm?

A cleansing balm is a solid, oil-based cleanser. In the jar it has a firm, often sorbet-like texture – as you massage it in, it melts into an oil. Because oil dissolves oil, it removes everything water-based cleansers struggle with on their own: make-up, waterproof mascara, sunscreen and excess sebum. Thanks to emulsifiers, the balm turns into a milky emulsion with water and rinses off without residue.

Cleansing balm or cleansing oil?

Both work on the same principle and are the first step of double cleansing.

• Cleansing balm – solid texture, doesn’t drip, ideal for travelling and a relaxing facial massage. Often a little richer.
• Cleansing oil – liquid and light, easy to dispense, especially popular with oily skin.

Which texture you choose is mostly a matter of taste.

How double cleansing works

1. With dry hands, scoop out a small amount of balm with the spatula and spread it over your dry face.
2. Gently massage for 30 to 60 seconds until make-up and sunscreen dissolve.
3. Add a little lukewarm water and keep massaging until the balm turns milky (emulsifies).
4. Rinse thoroughly.
5. Then cleanse again with a mild, water-based facial cleanser.

Continue with toner, essence and the rest of your routine. You mainly need double cleansing in the evening – in the morning a mild cleanser is usually enough.

Which skin types is a cleansing balm suitable for?

• dry and normal skin: nourishing balms with ceramides or plant oils cleanse without drying out the skin
• oily and blemish-prone skin: oily skin benefits too, as oil dissolves excess sebum. Formulas with BHA are a good choice for clearer pores – the key is to emulsify well and rinse thoroughly
• sensitive skin: choose mild, fragrance-free formulas and don’t rub your skin

Popular Korean cleansing balms

• Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm – the classic with a sorbet texture, even removes waterproof make-up
• heimish All Clean Balm – a gentle cleansing balm that melts into a light oil
• Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm – a sorbet-like formula for make-up, dirt and excess sebum
• celimax Dual Barrier Purifying Cleansing Balm – with a ceramide complex, cleanses without drying
• Dr. Althea Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm – with green tea extract for thorough pore cleansing
• HANSKIN Pore Cleansing Balm BHA – for oily and blemish-prone skin
• Purito From Green Avocado Cleansing Balm – a vegan balm with avocado oil for drier skin

Read more about double cleansing in our guide “What is double cleansing?”.