Let’s talk cleansing balms.
Trust me - they’re a thing. But first, the tiniest of stories…
Back in my college days (where has the time gone?!) I was having breakouts like crazy. Like CRAZY. I went to dermatologists, tried every mask and salicylic acid treatment under the sun - you name it, I tried it.
Nothing worked.
Until one random trip into Sephora one day where a sweet girl in the skincare section scolded me for missing a crucial step in my routine - not properly cleansing. I told her I had been using a face wash to remove my makeup (maybe a makeup wipe before hand on a good day) and then was diving right into my skincare products. This girl had an excellent point - I probably wasn’t removing all my makeup with just a face wash and my products weren’t able to properly penetrate my skin. The result? Clogged pores and zits.
BINGO.
I added a cleansing balm into my routine and my products in my later steps were finally able to work like they were supposed to.
I have three fave cleansing balms at a good, better, best style price point - so let’s do this.
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm
If you like clean beauty - this balm is for you. At $22, this is the most "affordable" of my favorite three (affordable is always a tricky word - what's affordable to one person may not be affordable to another). Personally I love the scent and feel of this balm. This bad boy smells fresh and is incredibly soft and gentle. It gets off most of my makeup - I'll be honest that it could use a little more power behind it to be perfect.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
This was the cleansing balm that changed it all - the first one I ever tried! I have a soft spot for Clinique's Take the Day Off.
This balm works. I'm able to get allll my makeup off in one easy sweep with this product. It turns into a milk consistency once wet, so removal is still gentle. Take the Day off rings in at $29.50 - does anyone else think price points ending at the half dollar are weird?
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
THIS BALM IS BANANAS. For real. It rocks.
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing balm is the most expensive of the bunch ($64), but I do have to say I think it's worth the green. Elemis in general utilizes amazing ingredients, but this balm boasts nourishing Elderberry, Starflower and Optimega™ oils and is supercharged with anti-aging algae, Padina Pavonica.
All the fancy talk basically boils down to a balm that gently removes every speck of makeup and leaves my skin smooth and supple. Good ingredients + good results = very happy Kelsey.
Shop my favorite cleansing balms.
Have you every tried a cleansing balm? Tell me your faves in the comments below!