8 Best Cleansing Balms I Have Tried To Remove Makeup

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: This classic cleanser is definitely best for those with a drier skin type than mine, but it’s a cleansing balm I can appreciate all the same. Whipped with indulgently fragrant essential oils, it makes a spa moment every morning – the floral notes envelop the senses, which is worth noting if you’re picky about scent. With a shea butter base and hydrolysed collagen, it’s super conditioning on skin and feels as though it’s locked in moisture before you put the rest of your skincare on.
• Sizes: 20g, 50g, 100g

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: No list of the best cleansing balms is complete without a mention of Clinique’s iconic take, which has stood the test of time to remain one of the most reliable make-up removers I have ever used. Designed to be suitable for all skin types, the omission of sulfates and fragrance in this formula is a plus for particularly sensitive skin. Personally, I prefer the black variant, which harnesses activated charcoal to decongest pores. But either one melts off make-up with an efficiency you’ll appreciate after a long day out.
• Size: 125ml

Why it’s Vogue-approved: Caroline Hirons’ beloved cleansing balm comes in both a fragranced and fragrance-free formula. The rich, nourishing texture transforms the first step in our skincare routines into an indulgent, luxury experience, dissolving long-wearing, stubborn make-up, SPF and the like without the need for rough scrubbing. It is powered by a skin barrier-supporting lipid complex, carrot root extract, carrot seed oil and beta-carotene to protect the skin and treat complexions prone to dryness and dehydration with a deep but kind-to-skin, moisture-enriching cleanse.

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you’re looking for a one-and-done cleansing balm, this is it. To be exact, it’s more of a mousse which emulsifies into a foam and lifts all residue from the skin, in a squeeze tube that’s ideal for travelling with. Whether it’s heavy make-up or greasy SPF, the luxurious lather here gets rid of it all without you needing a second cleanse. Sure, it’s a splurge, but the kind you won’t regret on account of how well it removes make-up and softens skin. Deploying barrier-building niacinamide and water lily as it gets to work, it leaves my face feeling uncannily supple. International make-up artist Jamie Coombes is also a fan: “It’s set apart by its skin-respect technology,” he says of how the formula works so well. “It cleanses thoroughly while preserving the skin’s pH and moisture barrier – making it suitable for daily use, even on sensitive skin.”
• Size: 150ml

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: It‘s no surprise K-beauty is home to some cleansing balm gems – Korea is widely credited with bringing the concept of double cleansing to the fore. This formula prioritises the maintenance of a bouncy skin barrier with probiotics, rice water and oats, as well as glycerin that draws moisture into the skin as you wash impurities out. When my skin is retinised, this is my go-to, as it’s so reparative and artificial fragrance-free. A little spreads into a soothing lather that leaves no oily residue.
• Size: 100g

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Another balm that ticks my boxes for its texture, this one is a winner on the ingredients front, too. The INCI list reads like a checklist of superfoods (think: moringa, turmeric, goji and acai berry), all of which confer antioxidant benefits to the skin. This is so key when you’re washing polluted grime from a day in the city away – it neutralises free radicals that age cells in the skin. I recommend working this one into the palms before you apply it to the face, as it’s pretty solid in the pot, but works well when warmed up.
• Size: 95ml

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: This pH-neutral balm has a gel texture unlike any other I have tested, and that’s a big part of what makes it so pleasant to use. Free from any synthetic fragrance, it’s unproblematic when it comes to removing waterproof mascara and eyeliner, so there are no tears at the sink. It is also host to smart peptides, which promise to keep skin plump – which I welcome as someone guilty of rubbing hard around the eyes to get rid of make-up residue. Happily, this one takes care of the latter by quickly turning into a serum-like milk, and offers a silky soft towellette which wipes it all off without a trace.
• Size: 100ml

• Why it’s Vogue-approved: Supremely hydrating, this shea butter-based balm is infused with aloe and hyaluronic acid, and calls on a blend of botanical oils to do all the dissolving. Those lend a clean, uplifting scent I often crave when cleansing – all the better for being from a natural source. While it melts make-up away, it is nourishing, with a proprietary lipid complex incorporated to fortify your moisture barrier. The result here is not exactly a film, but a face that feels like it has added protection on it after you rinse – making this one ideal for dry and dehydrated skin types.
• Size: 125ml