The Very Best Cleansing Balms To Buy Now

A stunning floral-infused iteration on Elemis' cult classic Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, this features delicate and soothing English Rose Oleo Extract (great for sensitive skin) while harnessing essential oils to create a sensorial cleansing experience that melts away dirt with real ease.

Grazia's Junior Beauty Editor Rachael says, 'I'm a double cleanser, but my first cleanse is always with an Elemis Cleansing Balm. The texture is buttery without feeling greasy plus it whips away make-up like a treat. As for the scent? It's deliciously subtle without being OTT. I'll always revert back to it.'

Customer review: "Got a sample of this and I’ve loved it. It doesn’t leave a greasy or oily feel behind. It’s not a strong smell of rose which is great if people don’t like scented products. The best thing I like about this cleansing balm is it doesn’t irritate your eyes if you open them."

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes collaborated with Revolution Beauty to create a seriously savvy skincare range. One of the highlights is this Butterclean Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm: a solid oil that melts to a milk once you've emulsified it. It leaves skin comfortable, fresh and nicely clean (though not squeaky). This formula is made with a blend of hyaluronic acid, squalene and jojoba oil to instantly nourish and hydrate as it cleanses.

Customer review: 'I’m trying to reduce my spend on a skincare routine. Having been addicted to Elemis Pro-Collagen cleansing balm I thought I’d give this a go as I’ve heard great things about Sali’s skincare range. It’s a marvel. Glides on like a dream and leaves my face feeling super-fresh. The subtle smell is like that of a traditional soap which I love as it reminds me of my lovely grandma’s bath products back in the day! Will definitely use from now on, and excited to try more of the range. Thanks Sali.'

Grazia's Beauty Assistant Renee Washington says: 'After a long day with a full face of makeup, all I want is a clean, fresh face. Enter Skin Proud’s Face Melt Cleansing Balm – a game-changer in my skincare routine. The texture is luxurious, melting away every last trace of makeup. Yep - even the most stubborn mascara. I've got sensitive eyes and it doesn’t burn them in the process, either. My skin feels wonderfully hydrated afterwards, thanks to the magic blend of rice bran oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and rosehip oil - it's a soothing concoction. And for under £10 you can’t really go wrong.'

Customer review: 'Makes make up melt off. So quick and easy. Love it and gentle on the skin.'

While plenty of cleansing balms are packed with fragrant essential oils, Clinique's is fragrance (and fuss!) free. This lightweight Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm quickly dissolves makeup, including stubborn mascara. It transforms from a solid balm to a milky, fluid oil upon application with water and rinses away the day.

Customer review: "I wear quite heavy make up, double wear foundation, liquid eyeliner and a tonne of mascara…this literally gets it all off instantly, plus it leaves your skin feeling soft. Doesn’t dry your skin either and lasts for ages as you only need a tiny amount, so works out good value."

You know it's good when it's made the list twice - this is the charcoal infused iteration of Clinique's iconic Take The Day Off cleansing balm. Known for it's ability to draw out impurities, this charcoal balm is particularly good for those who suffer with blocked pores and senstive, blemish prone skin.

Customer review: 'Started using this as the oil free micellar cleanser was discontinued. It is easy to use and melts on your skin, all makeup and SPF removed, and it is not drying at all. I use with the little Clinique cloths which wash clean. Considering I have rosacea and am sensitive there is no reaction at all. Just nice smooth skin.'

Grazia's Beauty Writer Sameeha Shaik says,'Its hard to believe there are seriously good products out there that won't cost you a fortune. Case in point, The INKEY List's Oat Cleansing Balm. Synonymous with efficacious, affordable skincare, the brand's take on a balm is both viral and award-winning thanks to a blend of oat kernel oil and colloidal oatmeal as well as sweet almond and sunflower oils. The rich buttery formula is gentle, yet hard-working meaning it will wash away all traces of the day without leaving you feeling stripped, tight or dry. I love how my skin feels immediately clean, soothed and generally non-irritated after use – team sensitive skin, rejoice.'

Customer review: 'I have oily skin so I use this before using a water based cleaner. It’s a really good cleaner especially for the nose, forehead and chin (where I had been breaking out the most). It’s gentle and hasn’t got a fragrance to it!'

Dubbed a cleansing butter, this clever Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser uses antioxidant rich fruit extracts and oils, alongside an African oil blend of marula, baobab, and Kalahari melon, to intensely nourish, restore elasticity and boost your skin's glow. Use the accompanying exfoliating Bamboo Booster (made of fine bamboo and charcoal spheres) to buff away build up.

Customer review: 'I always liked the idea of cleansing balms/butters, but they always ended up breaking me out. This looked promising, based on the ingredients and the brand, so I took a chance. Oh man! It’s so nice. My skin always feels so, so soft after I use it. In full disclosure I do use this as a part of a double cleanse or before an exfoliating mask.'

If you're on the hunt for something luxurious, The Cleansing Balm From Augustinus Bader is worth its salt. The hefty price tag hasn't put off the cult following of this biohacking brand which seeks to repair skin at a cellular level. To that end, the brand's patented signature TFC8 Complex works to support skin renewal, while an avocado-olive fruit oil complex, squalane and vitamin E, calms, purifies and decongests skin.

Customer review: 'This really takes the whole day off, brilliant cleansing balm, a firm favourite of mine from Augustinus Bader.'

A true delight to use. The holistic brand's iconic Eve Lom Cleanser works to dislodge make-up and dirt, while deeply cleaning pores, toning, gently exfoliating, all at once. Having held undisputed status in the skincare world over the last 35 years, it's no surprise one sells every 30 seconds.

Customer review: 'Gorgeous cleanser. Bought a bigger size after getting it in the beauty box. Skin feels great and it doesn’t irritate my eyes. Love the smell too.'

The eponymous Ayurvedic skincare line founded by South Asian scientist turned entrepreneur Michelle Ranavat, brings you one of its most decadent offerings yet. The Lotus Cleansing Balm will clear and purify skin while fortifying its resilience thanks to a cocktail of nourishing mango butter, and sunflower, sesame and blue tansy oils. This is for that post-facial glow in a jar.

Customer review: 'Luxury facial cleansing balm with high quality skin soothing ingredients. Lovely subtle unique fragrance. Gorgeous packaging too.'

Infused with Byoma’s Barrier Lipid Complex, this lightweight blend of grapeseed oil, sea buckthorn and olive fruit extracts in the Melting Balm Cleanser work to hydrate, nourish and restore the skin barrier, leaving behind a clear and balanced complexion. When this first landed in our beauty cupboard we were all eager to give it a go - and, after a few weeks of testing we were all sold - impressive stuff when when we all have different skin types.

Customer review: 'I just wanted to share my excitement about the Byoma Melting Balm Cleanser. It has truly exceeded my expectations. I've experimented with various balm cleansers in the past, but this one stands out as my favourite by far. Not only does it work wonders for my skin, but it also comes at a very reasonable price, making it an absolute treat for my skincare routine. If you decide to give it a try, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.'

If it's formulated in Japan, it's often a sure sign that you can expect great things. Case in point, this Beauty Pie cleansing balm made with natural aloe juice and cold-pressed baobab sariché oil to soften and soothe.

Customer review: 'I’m using this as an alternative to a high end similar product. I adore this beauty pie version and it’s a third of the price that I used to pay for something similar. I enjoy the warming sensation when I’ve used this and it clears all of my make up away and leaves my skin fresh and hydrated.'

Previously the iconic Buttercup Cleansing Balm, this By Beauty Bay original has a new name and a new look - but still the same, soothing formula. It's rich in peptides, ideal for those looking to boost their skin barrier.

Junior Beauty Editor Rachael says: 'While it's typically Elemis I'll use day to day if I feel my skin needs some added TLC then this is the balm I'll reach for. It's simply soothing and calming - no nonsense involved.'

Customer review: 'I have never used a cleansing balm before. Usually I was used to makeup removal sheets, since the first time I tried this one, it was amazing, used as instructed with warm water and then cleaned with a cotton pad, it was amazing! Removed everything without rubbing too much, it does what it says, as well after it your skin feels soft and smooth.'