The Best Cleansing Balms at MECCA Right Now
January 1 | 4 minute read
Words by Sherine Youssef & Samantha Brigden
Originally published on | June 17
To understand what makes balm cleansers so special, we'll need to revisit science class for a quick second. Remember how oil attracts oil? That’s exactly how a lush, oil-based balm cleanser effectively melts away sunscreen, makeup, dirt, excess sebum and impurities. And they'll do it gently, because they feature extra nourishing ingredients to leave your complexion feeling soft, supple and never stripped of moisture.
They're also usually safe to use around the eyes (although you should always read package instructions), making easy work of even the most long-wearing waterproof mascara. This is one of the reasons they're perfect as the first step of your nightly double cleansing routine, although they can be a great morning option for those with very dry skin.
The experience of using a cleansing balm can transform your routine into a spa-like experience, too. Take your time to massage into dry skin for a few minutes, then adding a little water to emulsify and transform the balm into a silky liquid. Finally, rinse it all off with warm water or a washcloth, and prepare to be amazed at how clear (and hydrated) your skin feels.
Ready to jump onboard? We've rounded up seven of the best cleansing balms that will leave you wondering how you ever survived without one.
The best for makeup wearers
There's a reason this is a makeup artist's best friend! Whether you wear long-wearing foundation or waterproof mascara, this lightweight formula will dissolve away even the most stubborn makeup with ease.
It's actually based off Clinique's bestselling liquid makeup remover, which has been a go-to amongst beauty lovers for years. Vitamin E smooths and hydrates, while safflower seed oil improves radiance and skin tone – all without leaving any greasy residue. Our tip: follow it up with the Take The Day Off Foaming Mousse for the ultimate double cleanse routine.
The budget buy
MECCA Skin Specialists said you were asking for a cleanser that effortlessly removes makeup and daily SPF – so, MECCA COSMETICA created it! This one ticks all the boxes: it feels luxurious and silky, smells incredible and leaves no blurry eyes.
Then there's the ingredients; olive squalane to support your moisture barrier, sea buckthorn oil for a hit of antioxidants and Centella asiatica to comfort sensitivity. Put it all together, and you can see why some reviewers say it feels like a facial.
The gentle exfoliator
Those dead skin cells dulling your glow? Gone. This offers all the makeup-melting, oil-lifting and sunscreen-dissolving benefits you expect from a cleansing balm, but then goes a step further with a gentle exfoliating bamboo micro powder.
Gentle is the key word here – like all of Cosmetics 27's formulas, this formula is designed to suit stressed or sensitive skin, infused with soothing Centella asiatica and chamomile.
The bestseller
This is one of the world's most loved cleansing balms – and now it comes in a fragrance-free form, ideal for those whose skin is on the more delicate side! So, what makes it special? Rich in fatty acids and oils, it leaves your complexion feeling ultra-soft and supple with extra radiance.
That's thanks to a trio of nourishing plant oils to help bolster your skin's protective barrier, as well as a unique Mediterranean seaweed extract that boosts moisture levels. It's luxurious enough to (almost) make you think you're at the ELEMIS London day spa...
The travel-friendly balm
While our love for cleansing balms might know no bounds, their bulky packaging can sometimes make them a bit difficult to travel with. Enter: VERSO's sleek offering, which comes in a minimalistic tube rather than a jar.
That isn't all it has going for it – designed specifically for dry and sensitive skin, this soothing blend stars Panthenyl Triacetate, Naringenin, and Bisabolol to alleviate feelings of discomfort and minimise the look of redness. Add to that tiny exfoliating beads of jojoba that melt on contact with skin, and you have the whole package: a formula that cleanses, calms, exfoliates and moisturises.
The fragrance-free balm
From a balm to an oil, to a milk, this delectable formula is loaded with antioxidant-rich, non-fragrant fruit extracts and oils (including blueberry, kiwi, watermelon, cranberry and strawberry) to thoroughly cleanse skin without stripping it.
Safe for use around the eyes (goodbye, waterproof mascara), it's also got the brand's signature marula oil, for a side of good-for-skin omega oils. Bonus: it comes with a tiny Bamboo Booster vial, with ultra-fine bamboo spheres you can mix in that gently buff away dead skin cells. Just add some to Slaai when your skin needs a little exfoliation.
The cult balm
This cleansing balm's blue colour is what initially garnered attention, but now it's famous for just how well it does its job (and yes, it's still famous for that blue hue).
The decadent formula is a blend of moisturisers (cocoa butter, moringa butter, mimosa flower wax) and essential oils (vanilla, sweet orange) that seamlessly whisk away sunscreen, makeup, dirt and sebum without disturbing skin's moisture levels. And about that blue hue: it's blue tansy which, alongside chamomile, works to calm and soothe irritated skin.
