One of the biggest changes I ever saw in my skin is when I switched to double cleansing. And specifically using a cleansing balm as my first step to remove makeup and wash my face. I noticed that I had less breakouts, my skin felt more balanced and looked much healthier. I’ve been using cleansing balms for 10+ years and will never not be without one in my skincare routine. I actually gift some of my favorite ones to my friends as birthday or holiday gifts and always receive feedback that they are shocked at how nice their skin looks and feels after switching to a cleansing balm.
Cleansing balms are great at really cutting through makeup, sunscreen, dirt and any other grime on the face and really removing every last bit. There are ways to use your cleansing balm to ensure you are getting the most out of it. And I thought I would dedicate a blog post to how to properly use a cleansing balm.
How To Properly Use Cleansing Balm
There is definitely a way to use a cleansing balm to ensure you are getting maximum benefits out of the product. If you have never used a cleansing balm, it is a great item to add to your daily skincare routine. It’s great for all skin types and all ages. Especially if you wear makeup each day or even sunscreen, using a cleansing balm ensures you will be getting all of that off each night. Face wipes will not cut it and sleeping in your makeup is never recommended.
What Is a Cleansing Balm?
Cleansing balms are very different from traditional foam, gel or milk cleansers that you may be using regularly. They are formulated with various oils that help to break down makeup and dirt on the face. Because oil is found naturally on the skin and is necessary to keep the skin healthy, using a cleansing balm helps to ensure that your skin stays balanced. Often using cleansers that strip the skin of its natural oils can cause the skin to overproduce oil. Which can then lead to more breakouts and oily skin. It can be a vicious cycle.
The oils in the cleansing balm attract the excess oil on the skin and ensure it is removed while still leaving necessary oils needed to keep our skin healthy. Cleansing balms are solid or semi-solid in their natural state and then melt into an oil from the heat of your hands massaging into the skin and then finally emulsifies into a milk when water is added.
What Does a Cleansing Balm Do?
A cleansing balm is an oil-based cleanser that removes makeup (even stubborn eye makeup), sunscreen, dirt, etc effectively without stripping the skin. Regardless of skin type, cleansing balms can be really beneficial in giving a thorough deep cleanse every night. Some are formulated with additional ingredients to soften and/or moisturize but the primary purpose is to remove makeup. If you double cleanse each night (and I highly recommend that you do), a cleansing balm will always be your first cleanse.
How To Use a Cleansing Balm
Use As a First Step
Your cleansing balm should be the first cleanser you use and the first step of your skincare routine. You can use it morning or night. But I usually use it in the evening because I have been wearing makeup all day long. Scoop out a quarter sized amount which should be enough to cover your entire face.
Apply to Dry Skin
If you have never used a cleansing balm before, this may feel really strange but trust me it is the BEST and ONLY way to really utilize a cleansing balm effectively. Make sure your hands and face are both dry and then massage in circular motions directly onto the face and eye area. You will instantly see makeup begin to break down effortlessly.
Massage the Balm Until It Turns to an Oil
Once you begin gently massaging the cleansing balm into the skin, you will feel it begin to break down within 30 seconds. Keep massaging it until the entire balm has turned into an oil.
Wet Your Hands
After the cleansing balm has turned into an oil, quickly run your hands under warm water and continue massaging the cleansing balm. Once you add water, it will break down the cleansing balm into a milk. Do not add tons of water or begin rinsing the cleanser off. The cleanser needs only a tiny amount of water added to transform into a milk and then continue to massage it in for another 10-15 seconds. If you rinse the cleanser off too early and don’t allow the milk texture to cleanse the skin, you could end up with a film left on the skin. The cleanser needs to be fully transformed into a milk before you rinse.
Rinse
Now you can either use warm water in your hands or a damp washcloth to remove the cleanser fully. Some people love the addition of a washcloth because it gives a tiny bit of exfoliation, but you don’t necessarily have to use one. I just use my hands and a lot of warm water to rinse away the cleansing balm. Your skin SHOULD not feel squeaky clean or tight. While that feeling is often associated with facial cleansing, it can often mean that your skin has been stripped of its natural oils and is not balanced. A cleansing balm when used correctly will leave your skin feeling soft, supple, moisturized and healthy.
Cleansing Balm Recommendations
There are a million cleansing balms available now so I thought I would share my top 4 favorite formulas to use.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
A long time favorite and the most moisturizing formula I have ever used!
Farmacy Green Clean
Simple and effective – this always gets off every last bit of makeup.
Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm
Not as oily as the Elemis but not as stiff as the Farmacy, the texture of this cleansing balm falls right in the middle. I’ve been using it for 10 years and consistently repurchase.
Clean It Zero
This has a very similar texture to the Farmacy Green Clean but at a slightly lower price point.
Here are a few cleansing balm reviews I’ve done on my blog: Cerave cleansing balm, Elf cleansing balm, Tatcha Indigo Cleansing Balm and the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm.
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