Best Cleansing Balms/Makeup Melters

Have you ever tried a cleansing balm? I *love* them and have been a fan for years--I even make my own. It sounds exactly like you think--a thick balm that melts once it makes contact with the skin and liquifies. It reminds me a little of vaseline but in a firmer consistency, like a salve.

• It's also called a Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm because many come with a cloth that you wet with hot water and place on the face to remove the makeup once the balm has been rubbed in.
• While it's usable for all skin types, dry and normal will really love it. 
• If you wear a lot of makeup, you'll love it. It does not leave the skin oily or with residue.
• I think of it as a mini spa treatment as well. Off and on the past couple of years, I've tested 10 cleansing balms (actually more) and am finally ready to share them with you!
• I am rating these 0-10, and tested them against all types of makeup, especially liquid lipsticks and waterproof mascaras.

1-Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm

• $8.49
• Target, online
• Hypoallergenic, gluten free, Mineral Oil-free, labeled paraben-free
• comes with cloth
• Overall: 7

2-Hemish All Clean Balm

• $18.50
• No paraben / No Synthetic perfume / No Artificial pigment
• This comes with a scoop, which I love, and it has THE cutest packaging
• Overall: 10 LOVE this

3--Banila All Clean Zero

• $16.70
• Comes in 3 scents
• Korean--referred to as a "sherbert cleanser"
• comes with a cloth
• Overall: 9

4--It Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Makeup Melting Balm

• $38
• softens skin and can be used as a masque
• I bought one but then I also received one as a sample.
• Overall: 9.5

5--Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm

• $57
• Help to recondition dull, dry, dehydrated and mature skins
• Comes with AMAZING thick cloth. The other cloths are usually muslin.
• This was the one that was the highest-recommended by others.
• Overall: 9

6--Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm

• $65
• Loofah Seed and Moringa Oil
• One of my faves, and similar to the EH one.
• Comes with cloth
• PR sample
• Overall: 9

7--Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm

• $20
• sweet almond oil, shea butter, and vitamin E
• PR sample
• Did not do a good job of removing makeup
• Overall: 5

8--Clinique Take the Day Off

• $29
• Small for the price, but really good
• Overall: 9

9--The Balm Balms Away Eye Makeup Remover

• $18
• Fortified with vitamins A, C, and E and a blend of plant-derived sterols and lipids
• Technically just for eyes, but I have used it on my face in a pinch--just wanted to show an option for those who just do eye makeup.
• The only one that was unscented
• Overall: 8

10--Eve Lom Cleanser

• $14.99 for a tiny container
• Comes with a cloth
• Has a rougher texture, almost like tiny beads that instantly dissolve.
• Smells like apple
• Overall: 9

In Conclusion:

• Based on the prices for most of these, cleansing balms can definitely be a luxury item, but I love using them. 
• I know some of you will suggest coconut oil. This is kind of similar in texture and purpose, but coconut oil leaves the skin oily/moisturized, like you can tell you have product on afterwards. Cleansing balms leave you with soft, clean skin. Plus, none of these have ever broken me out, and coconut oil breaks out my skin every time it's on my face.
• I also reviewed a cleansing balm from ELF back in January and thought it was ok.

Have you ever tried a cleansing balm?

Extra Elle:

• Thanks everyone who read this post yesterday!! Your support has been amazing!
• Big news: I'm going to be a speaker for the Social Media Panel for the General Assembly next week in Atlanta. It's free if you'd like to go. Let me know and I'll give you all the details.