No Qualms About Balms

If you’re new here... welcome. 

If you’re not new here...you will already know about my obsession with cleansing balms. 

What’s so amazing about balms you ask? 

(Excitedly claps hands)

They.

Are.

Magic.

Okay... so not really magic... but pretty darn close. 

Many years ago I sang the praises of makeup removing wipes. I bought them over and over and over and used them every single night to take my makeup off. I thought they were the best way to take off my makeup and the dirt and the oil before cleansing.

But... you live and you learn and you find out you were wrong. 

Rewind to about two years ago when I received my first sample of a cleansing balm in my SephoraPlay subscription box. Until this point, I religiously used Pond’s or Neutrogena makeup removing wipes at the end of each day. Then... this little tiny jar of Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm showed up in my mailbox and it CHANGED MY LIFE. 

Here’s the Cliff Notes version about balms.
They are usually oil or cream based cleansers that remove makeup, dirt, and oil without stripping the skin of its moisture. Essentially they keep the moisture balance in your skin while also removing the gunk and grime. Have you ever felt like your skin is super tight, dry, or itchy after cleansing? That’s because your cleanser is stripping your skin of it’s moisture. Balms help you retain your natural moisture while also cleansing the skin (serious WIN WIN).
Super important info here... ***You MUST apply this to your face BEFORE getting it wet! Use dry hands and apply on a dry face or else it will literally start melting and it won’t take off any of your makeup.

Yes, it might take some getting used to when you start to use it because it feels like you’re slathering Crisco on your face. It totally feels like it would do more harm than good, but it’s the complete opposite. Cleansing balms are SUPER gentle on the skin and remove so much more makeup and dirt than a removing wipe. Balms glide easily over the skin and create zero friction so you aren’t tugging and pulling and creating more wrinkles. Makeup removing wipes tug and pull and can also create little tears in your skin (ummm NO THANK YOU). These tears can lead to more fine lines and wrinkles and also more breakouts. Balms cleanse, moisturize, and protect. Doesn’t that sound like a no brainer? I am horrified at how long it look me to jump on the cleansing balm train, but once I did... I AIN’T GOIN BACK! 

Now, makeup wipes are not the devil... although if something is going to give me more wrinkles it might as well be. If a wipe has an oil based formula, they are much gentler on the skin (Luminess has a wonderful makeup remover wipe that is oil based - HERE). When I travel I still bring makeup remover wipes with me (unless I have a sample size of a balm). So they do still serve a purpose but I just couldn’t let another week pass by without sharing my newfound skincare obsession with you. 

Also, balms aren’t meant to be your only cleansing step. Even though I use a cleansing balm to take off my makeup I follow it right up with a regular facial cleanser. This is called double cleansing and by following up the balm with a facial cleanser  (preferably not oil based for the 2nd step), your skin will be the cleanest it has ever been in your whole life. The second cleansing step removes any remaining oil or makeup and preps your skin for the rest of your nightly skincare routine. I highly, HIGHLY recommend double cleansing if you’re using a balm or a wipe. I noticed a definite improvement in my skin’s clarity and evenness when I started using both.
Another ManicMakeupGirl tip: since balms are oil or cream based, you can always use a washcloth to help remove the residual balm before using a follow up facial cleanser. Just do it gently if you decide to add this step. 

Now, what kind of ManicMakeupGirl would I be if I didn’t share all the good, the bad, and the ugly balms with you? I have literally spent this whole last year trying all the balms I could get my hands on and have quite the roundup for you. 

My Top 3 Cleansing Balms: 

Boots No. 7 Radiant Results Nourishing Cleansing Balm

First off, this jar is HUGE! It is 4.2oz and under $10! Most balms come in 3oz jars or less so this is a super steal. Secondly, this is my #1 all time fave balm. It is so silky and soft and takes off every speck of makeup (including waterproof). I always recommend this to anyone who asks and have bought no less than 3 jars in the last year. This also comes with a muslin washcloth to help remove the balm further. Since I follow up with a second facial cleanser I usually don’t need to use the muslin cloth, but it’s nice that they include one. I find that Target and Ulta have this balm for the lowest price. 

Grab it HERE! 

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm 

This one is only in my #2 spot due to the price. The 3.4oz size is $34!!! Shocker I know... but it really is a wonderful skincare product. This one leaves behind no “balmy” residue and rinses clean without a washcloth assist. It is smooth and silky and a little goes a long way while still removing all the makeup and dirt. I don’t recall a scent to this product so if you’re fragrance sensitive, this is a great option. It really does meltaway your makeup in seconds and is a clean beauty product. LOVE!!! 

Grab it at Sephora HERE!

Physicians Formula The Perfect Matcha Green Tea Cleansing Balm 

This cleansing balm is pretty much a dupe for the Farmacy Green Clean. It has the closest consistency and feel to it and also washes away without the need for a washcloth. 

You only need a tiny bit of this balm to get all of your makeup removed quickly. The only drawback for me is that even though it’s only around $10, you only get 1.4oz of product. I wish it was at least 2oz for that price but then again, it really is a great cleansing balm choice. 

Grab it HERE!

My Bottom 3 Cleansing Balms:

Sephora Cleansing Oil-In-Balm 

This one shocked me at how bad it was. Super waxy and thick consistency and it didn’t take all of my makeup off. It also left a TON of residue and I always had to use a washcloth to remove the rest of it (even AFTER using another facial cleanser). It always made my eyes burn and the fragrance in this is overwhelming. Sephora is usually 100% on it with their own brand as far as makeup and skincare is concerned but this one is awful. I didn’t even use the whole container. I threw it away half full because it was that bad! No wonder it’s on sale for half price now - HERE. 

Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup Melting Butter Cleanser 

I really...REALLY tried to like this one. But I just DON’T. Like at all. This one has 4 star reviews on Sephora.com but I don’t get it. This stuff feels SO waxy and smells gross. It literally felt like I was digging into a wax candle. It is on the expensive side ($34 for almost 4oz) and it didn’t even remove all of my makeup. It says this transforms from an oil to a cleansing milk once you add water, but it just didn’t work for me. This does come with an exfoliating powder that you can add into it, but it wasn’t that great either. It just made waxy sand. Gross. If you want to check it out for yourself (HERE) go ahead... but don’t say I didn’t warn you. 

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

This one also really shocked me. I love Clinique skincare and am usually on board with anything they put out. I mean my entire high school makeup arsenal was 100% Clinique. However, this cleansing balm just didn’t cut it for me. It didn’t take off all of my makeup, and it was also a super waxy, almost lumpy consistency. I also didn’t like the smell. Once I had tried the Boots No. 7 and Farmacy Green Clean balms...this one just didn’t make the cut. This one is also $30 for 3.8oz (so it ain’t cheap). I just expected more from this one since it has 5 star reviews (HERE) but if it doesn’t take off all my makeup...it’s going in the trash. 

———

I have tried SOOO many cleansing balms but I am still going to be trying more. I am ALWAYS on the hunt for the newest and best on the market. I take it as my personal responsibility to try as many makeup and skincare items as I can so that I can share my reviews with you!
My cleansing balm wish list is always growing (Pond’s, Banila, and Elemis to name a few)... So make sure you check back for updates to this list. Side Note: I have also heard of people using cocoanut oil to remove their makeup, but my skin does not like cocoanut oil for some reason. It always clogs my pores and makes me breakout so just keep that in mind.

Before I go, let me reiterate my top tips for using a cleansing balm.
1) Always apply with dry hands to a dry face (literally just apply right on top of your makeup at the end of the day).
2) Use a washcloth to remove residual balm (baby washcloths are best for being gentle on the face)
3) Follow up with a second facial cleanser and the rest of your skincare routine for the best results. 

Do you have a favorite cleansing balm that I should try? Let me know!

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