Best Cleansing Balms UK: A Skincare Lab Guide

What is a Cleansing Balm?

A cleansing balm is a rinse-off cleanser with a solid or semi-solid texture at room temperature. When smoothed onto dry skin, it melts into an oil or silky texture that lifts sunscreen, makeup, sebum and other daily build-up. Adding water emulsifies it into a milky rinse-off.

They are commonly used as a first cleanse in a two-step routine, where a second water-based cleanser follows to clear any remaining residue. Some people use a cleansing balm on its own as a simple evening cleanse.

Compared to cleansing oils, balms tend to feel richer and thicker. The experience of using one can vary significantly depending on the formula, so comparing texture descriptions across products is usually more useful than looking at price alone.

How to Use a Cleansing Balm

The standard approach on dry skin:

1. Apply the balm to dry hands and dry skin.

2. Massage gently across the face. Avoid the eye area unless the product instructions say it is suitable for eye makeup removal.

3. Add a little water and continue massaging to emulsify.

4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

5. Follow with a gentle second cleanser if preferred.

What to Look for in a Cleansing Balm

Texture: some balms melt very quickly on contact with skin; others have a firmer, more protective feel. If you prefer a lighter first cleanse experience, look for descriptions of lighter or airier textures. If you prefer something richer, look for descriptions of conditioning or richer-feeling textures.

Fragrance: some cleansing balms contain added fragrance or essential oils; others are fragrance-free. If your skin is easily unsettled by fragrance, a fragrance-free option may be worth considering.

Emulsification: a cleansing balm should emulsify cleanly with water and rinse away without leaving a heavy residue. If a residue remains, a second cleanse can help.

Eye area: if you wear eye makeup regularly, check whether the balm is suitable for use around the eyes. Some formulas are specifically formulated for this; others are better kept to the face.

Products Reviewed

The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm

150ml · Fragrance-free · Oat kernel oil and colloidal oat

Check current details and seller information on Amazon UK

Check latest details on Amazon UK

May suit people who prefer: a fragrance-free formula with a lighter-feeling balm texture at a budget price point.

The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm has a fragrance-free formula that includes oat kernel oil and colloidal oat. The texture is on the lighter side for a balm, which some users find makes it quick to work into skin. At 150ml, it is a reasonably sized tub for the price range it sits in. It is designed as a first cleanse to remove sunscreen and light to moderate makeup. Follow product instructions.

e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm

50ml · Hyaluronic acid · Lightweight balm texture

Check current details and seller information on Amazon UK

Check latest details on Amazon UK

May suit people who prefer: a lightweight-feeling balm texture with a smaller-format budget option.

The e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm has a lightweight balm texture. The formula includes hyaluronic acid, which is commonly used in skincare for its water-binding properties, though the ingredient does not stay on the skin significantly after rinsing. The balm melts into skin relatively quickly and emulsifies with water. At 50ml it is a smaller format, which may suit those who want to try the product before committing to a larger size. Follow product instructions.

Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm

100ml · Rice bran and grain extracts · K-beauty balm format

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Check latest details on Amazon UK

May suit people who prefer: a lighter-feeling K-beauty balm format to compare against other options in this guide.

Beauty of Joseon is a K-beauty brand available in the UK through independent retailers and direct-to-consumer channels. The Radiance Cleansing Balm uses rice bran and various grain extracts as featured ingredients. The texture is lighter-feeling than some richer cleansing balms. At 100ml it is a standard mid-size. The K-beauty balm format is commonly included in this product category and may appeal to people who like comparing different cleansing approaches. Follow product instructions.

Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original

100ml · K-beauty balm format · Acerola berry and vitamin C

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Check latest details on Amazon UK

May suit people who prefer: a lighter-feeling K-beauty balm format with a smooth texture.

Banila Co Clean It Zero is a K-beauty cleansing balm available in the UK. The Original formula features acerola berry and vitamin C as highlighted ingredients. The texture is smooth and lighter-feeling than some European cleansing balms. At 100ml it sits in the mid-range size for this product type. It is commonly included in this product category for comparison purposes. Follow product instructions.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

125ml · Fragrance-free · Balm-to-oil format

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Check latest details on Amazon UK

May suit people who prefer: a fragrance-free balm-to-oil format from a larger skincare brand.

Clinique Take The Day Off has been available in the UK for many years. The balm-to-oil format transforms smoothly when worked into skin and emulsifies cleanly with water. It is fragrance-free. At 125ml it is a standard size for this type of product. It is commonly included in this product category for comparison purposes. Follow product instructions.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

100g · UK brand · Richer-feeling balm texture

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Check latest details on Amazon UK

May suit people who prefer: a richer-feeling balm texture from a UK skincare brand.

Elemis is a UK-based skincare brand. The Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm transforms from a balm to an oil as you work it into skin. The texture is richer-feeling than most budget and mid-range cleansing balms, which some users find leaves skin feeling softer after rinsing. At 100g it is in the standard to premium size range for this product type. Follow product instructions.

Quick Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cleansing balm?

A cleansing balm is a rinse-off cleanser with a solid or semi-solid texture. When smoothed onto dry skin it melts into an oil, lifts sunscreen, makeup and daily build-up, then emulsifies with water into a milky rinse-off. It is commonly used as a first cleanse before a water-based second cleanser.

Is cleansing balm the same as cleansing oil?

Not quite. Both are oil-based first cleanse formats, but cleansing balms tend to feel richer and thicker at room temperature, while cleansing oils tend to feel lighter and more liquid. Which you prefer is a personal choice based on texture and how your skin feels after use.

Can cleansing balm remove sunscreen?

Most cleansing balms are formulated to remove sunscreen as well as makeup. The effectiveness depends on the specific formula and the sunscreen you are using. If any residue remains after rinsing, a second cleanse can help.

Do I need a second cleanse?

Most routines that include a cleansing balm follow with a gentle second cleanser, particularly when removing sunscreen or heavy makeup. Some formulas emulsify cleanly enough to skip the second step, but this depends on the individual product and your skin. Follow the product instructions.

How do I choose a cleansing balm?

Consider texture preference, fragrance preference, budget and how your skin feels after cleansing. Comparing the descriptions in this guide against what you are looking for in a first cleanse may help narrow the choice. If you prefer a no-rinse first cleanse, micellar water may be worth comparing. If you prefer a richer rinse-off option, cream cleansers are worth comparing. If your skin tends to feel tight after cleansing and you want to compare different formats side by side, see the cleansers for dry feeling skin guide. Check the product page, ingredient list and product instructions before buying.