Melt Away Stubborn Makeup with Cleansing Balms

Have you ever struggled to remove that long-wearing matte lipstick or waterproof mascara? Rubbing your eyes raw with makeup wipes but seeing your panda eyes stare back at you in the morning? It’s time to treat your skin to an indulgent spa-like facial cleanse and meet your new makeup dissolving hero: The cleansing balm!

What Is a Makeup Melting Cleanse?

Cleansing balms, also known as cleansing oils, are the first step in a double cleansing routine that thoroughly yet gently melts away stubborn makeup, SPF, pollution, and sebum. This oil-based balm transforms from a solid balm to a silky oil that breaks down waterproof, transfer-resistant makeup with ease when massaged into skin. It then emulsifies into a milky texture to rinse clean without any greasy residue when mixed with water.

Follow up with your regular water-based cleanser to wash away any remaining impurities without stripping your skin. This leaves you with a pillowy soft, ultra clean canvas, free of pore-clogging and irritating makeup, dirt and grime.

Cleansing Balm Ingredients That Effortlessly Dissolve Makeup

What makes cleansing oils so effective at melting down pigmented, waterproof makeup? The star ingredients in these balms include:

• Plant-Based Oils – Natural oils like coconut, olive, jojoba, grapeseed, sunflower and almond oils excel at breaking down waxes, pigments and dyes. Their lipid content efficiently dissolves water-resistant substances oil-to-oil. These oils also impart skin-nourishing fatty acids, antioxidants like vitamin E, minerals and proteins to nurture your skin.
• Emulsifiers – Emulsifying agents, usually a plant extract like cetearyl or polysorbate 20, are key. This allows the oil cleanser to transform into a milky emulsion when rinsed so it easily washes away without leaving an oily residue.
• Skin Conditioners – Soothing and moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, honey, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and ceramides are often incorporated. This makes cleansing oils suitable for dry or aging skin.
• Essential Oils – Many balms contain botanical oils that give them a lovely spa-like scent. Lavender oil is common for its relaxing aroma and anti-inflammatory benefits.

How to Use Cleansing Balms to Remove Stubborn Makeup

Here is a step-by-step guide to properly use cleansing balms to easily melt away makeup:

1. Apply to Dry Skin – Scoop a dime to quarter sized amount of balm and massage onto dry skin to liquify and dissolve makeup. Apply gently around eye area.
2. Massage Lightly – Gently massage balm all over face for 1-2 minutes using light, circular motions to breakdown makeup, sebum and sunscreen without tugging delicate skin.
3. Rinse Thoroughly – Splash face with lukewarm water to emulsify balm into a milky oil. Rinse until water runs clear to wash away dissolved makeup and impurities without greasy residue.
4. Double Cleanse – Follow up with your regular facial cleanser like a gel, foam or cream formula to cleanse away any remaining dirt without stripping skin.

The Best Makeup Emulsifying Balms

With so many options on the market, we’ve rounded up the best highly-rated cleansing balms for every budget and skin type:

Drugstore Favorites Under $15:

• Neutrogena Nourishing Makeup Remover Cleansing Oil – Fragrance-free for sensitive skin
• Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Oil – Vitamin C formula brightens dull skin
• Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Oil – Lightweight non-comedogenic formula
• Burt’s Bees Cleansing Oil – Nourishes skin with botanical oils

Luxury Splurges $30+

• Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm – Anti-aging formula with starflower oil
• Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil – Japanese camellia oil gently melts makeup
• Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm – Cult-favorite transforms from balm to oil
• Fresh Soy Face Cleanser – Soy proteins leave skin soft and nourished

Best for Acne-Prone or Sensitive Skin:

• The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm – Soothes sensitive and inflamed skin
• Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm – Non-comedogenic balm with bakuchiol
• Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser – Purifying green tea and spinach nourish skin

Why Cleansing Oils Outperform Makeup Remover Wipes

Cleansing oils have clear advantages over hurriedly trying to remove makeup with face wipes:

• More Sustainable – Reusable balms have less waste compared to piles of disposer wipes.
• Gentler Cleanse – Thick balms won’t tug at delicate under-eye skin which can lead to premature aging. Makeup melts off instead of needing to rub harshly to remove.
• Remove Waterproof Makeup – Stubborn waterproof mascara and lip stains are no match for the dissolving powers of oil cleansers.
• Moisturize As They Cleanse – Nourishing oils sink into skin to moisturize as they remove dirt which foam cleansers can’t do. Dry, mature skin drinks it up.
• Less Irritation – Fragrance-free balms are less sensitizing than wipe chemicals and alcohol which can disrupt skin’s moisture barrier.

FAQs About Using Cleansing Oils and Balms

Does oil cleansing clog pores? Not necessarily! When followed up with a water-based cleanser, emulsifying cleansing oils should rinse cleanly without pore-clogging residue. However, some skin types may be prone to congestion from richer oils.

How often should you oil cleanse? Ideally 1-2 times per week for a deep cleanse to remove layers of stubborn makeup buildup. Those with normal skin can use nightly as the first step in a double cleanse.

Can cleansing oils remove sunscreen? Yes! Cleansing oils excel at breaking down tenacious mineral sunscreen filters and chemical SPF ingredients that typically resist water-based cleansers.

Give Your Skin a Makeup Melting Treat

Hopefully now your skin is craving a massage with thick, velvety smooth balms to gently yet effectively melt away makeup woes. By mimicking skin’s natural lipids, botanical cleansing oils dissolve stubborn makeup and daily gunk that water alone struggles with. Give your skin a treat and pamper it with a cleansing balm dissolution once or twice a week!