A good cleansing balm is one of the most satisfying steps in a routine, melting from a solid into a silky oil that dissolves make-up, SPF and the general grime of the day. Below are the top 6 cleansing balms we think are worth buying, spanning gentle budget options and full-on splurges. As ever this is general guidance rather than medical advice, and the right balm depends on your skin, so patch-test first when you try something new.
What to look for
Cleansing balms are the classic first step in a double cleanse: you massage the balm over dry skin to break down make-up and sunscreen, then either wipe it away with a damp cloth or emulsify it with water and rinse. Most people follow with a water-based wash, and if your skin is on the reactive side our guide to the best gentle cleansers for sensitive skin is a good place to find that second step.
Texture matters more than marketing here. Richer balms feel lovely on dry or mature skin but can seem heavy on oilier types, who may prefer a lighter balm-to-oil formula that rinses away cleanly. Pay attention to fragrance too: a scented balm can be a pleasure for some and a trigger for others, so err towards fragrance-free if your skin flares easily. A soft muslin or microfibre cloth, used gently, helps lift everything away and adds a little mild polishing.
One thing a balm is not is a treatment step, so resist the urge to leave actives in the same hand. Exfoliation belongs on cleansed skin rather than mixed into your cleanse, and our roundup of facial exfoliators explains how to slot that in a couple of times a week without overdoing it.
1. Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Few cleansing balms inspire the loyalty this one does. The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is the splurge that readers tend to rebuy rather than resent, thanks to a cushioning, slightly waxy texture that melts into a nourishing oil and a scent that leans spa rather than sweet shop. It removes make-up comfortably and leaves skin feeling soft rather than stripped, which is exactly what you want from a first cleanse.
Part of the ritual is the little muslin cloth most people use with it, warming the balm and gently buffing it away so skin feels polished rather than merely clean. The scent, a herbal, lightly medicinal blend, divides opinion, so it is worth a sniff first, but the loyal following suggests most readers fall for it rather than against it.
There is no pretending it is cheap: it sits firmly in splurge territory, around £44 for the full size, though smaller travel tins are a sensible way to try before committing. The Sixated take: an unapologetic luxury that earns its keep if cleansing is a part of the day you actually want to enjoy.
2. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Clinique’s Take The Day Off balm is the dependable all-rounder of this six. It is fragrance-free, which instantly makes it friendlier to sensitive and eye-make-up-heavy routines, and it melts stubborn mascara and long-wear lipstick without the sting that some removers bring. The texture is light enough not to feel suffocating yet rich enough to actually dissolve a full face.
The texture is the clever bit. It is firm enough to scoop cleanly yet turns to a proper oil on contact with warm skin, so you can work it over the face for a minute without it sliding straight off. Rinsed with warm water, it leaves no greasy residue, which is often where cheaper balms fall down.
Pricing is mid-range, around £30, and it is easy to find in Boots and department stores. If you tend to layer a treatment mask after cleansing, it is a tidy partner for the slower evenings covered in our edit of overnight face masks. The Sixated take: the safe, grown-up pick that suits almost everyone, and a particularly good choice for contact-lens wearers.
3. Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm
The Emma Hardie Moringa balm has been a beauty-desk staple for years, and its reputation rests on how indulgent it feels. It is rich and aromatic, often sold with a cleansing cloth, and it lends itself to a slow, deliberate massage that makes the step feel like a mini facial. For readers who want cleansing to be a wind-down moment rather than a chore, it delivers.
Because you only need a modest amount, a pot goes a surprisingly long way, which softens the sting of the price over time. It is rich without being heavy, and it rinses away comfortably with the accompanying cloth, leaving skin feeling conditioned rather than coated. For drier skin especially, that nourishing finish is a real draw.
It is a splurge, around £42 for the full size, though the generous pot lasts a long while with sensible use. It is easy to find at Cult Beauty and on the brand’s own site. The Sixated take: the treat for people who view their evening cleanse as self-care, not admin.
4. The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter
A genuine long-runner, The Body Shop’s Camomile butter has kept its fans because it simply works without drama. It starts as a balm, melts into a silky oil and rinses cleanly, taking make-up and SPF with it, and the camomile angle gives it a soft, comforting character. It is proof that you do not need to spend a fortune to get a lovely first cleanse.
It has quietly outlasted countless trendier launches, which tells you something about how well it does the basics. The camomile gives it a gentle, calming character that suits most skin types, and because it rinses so cleanly it rarely leaves the tightness or film that can put people off balms in the first place.
Pricing is mid-range and often lower on offer, around £15, and it is widely stocked in The Body Shop and online. It strikes a thoughtful balance between the budget and splurge ends of this list. The Sixated take: outstanding value, and a smart pick if you want balm comfort without a luxury price tag.
5. The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm
The INKEY List has made its name on simple, affordable formulas, and its Oat Cleansing Balm is the easy way into the category. The feel is soothing and low-fuss, designed around comfort rather than theatrics, which makes it a sensible first balm for beginners or anyone who likes to keep things pared back. It melts make-up gently and does not leave skin feeling tight.
On price it is the budget entry here, around £11, and it is easy to find at Cult Beauty and Boots. If your skin likes a little extra softness, it layers well with a facial oil later in the routine, and our guide to face oils covers options that pair neatly with a gentle balm. The Sixated take: the best low-risk way to discover whether balm cleansing is for you.
6. Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm
Pixi’s Nourishing Cleansing Balm sits comfortably in the middle of this six, both in price and in feel. Built around almond oil and shea butter, it has a pleasant balm-to-oil texture and a nourishing finish that suits normal to drier skin, and it is a fair step up from a basic budget option without reaching splurge prices. It is an easy one to recommend when someone wants a little more than entry level.
The almond oil and shea butter give it a soft, slightly rosy character, and it melts readily enough to shift a day’s make-up without much effort. It is a good illustration that you do not have to reach splurge prices to get a balm that feels considered rather than purely functional.
Pricing is mid-range, around £18, and it is easy to find at Cult Beauty and on Pixi’s own site. The Sixated take: a well-judged middle ground, and a good shout if you like a touch of indulgence but are not ready to splash out on the pricier tins above.