Which Cleansing Balm Reigns Supreme?

Cleansing balms have become an absolute staple in my nighttime skincare routine, especially when it comes to removing my makeup. It's no surprise that while I wear quite a bit of face makeup, my eyeliner and mascara are typically the tough-to-remove everyday fixture of my makeup routine. Previously relying on regular cleansers and eye makeup remover, I advanced into utilizing cleansing balms in an effort to both, you know, cleanse my skin as well as effectively remove my makeup while only using one product.

While there are plenty of cleansing balms on the market, some that I want to try and some that I don't, I've tested three out and have used enough of them (see: two are almost completely gone) to know what I like in a cleansing balm, what I don't, and which outperforms the rest.

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Eve Lom Cleanser

I would like to state right off the bat that I received this free from work. While my disposable income is expanding, it hasn't quite expanded to this caliber yet. The prices range on this cleanser from $28 for 0.7 oz of product to $135 for 6.8 oz. It's a pretty penny, but it's also a very multi-purpose skincare product when used correctly. This formula boasts it's "five-benefit formula" including decongesting your skin, exfoliating, toning, soothing, and deep cleansing to remove waterproof makeup and facial impurities. That's a pretty hefty benefit list for one balm cleanser. It's recommended to use the muslin cloth that it comes with to remove the product, but not before warming it and let sit on top of the balm on your face to activate the ingredients.

A lot of people complain about the scent of this product. It does have a very natural smell, which is very typical in European skincare brands. Not everything is going to smell like grapefruit, so the smell really doesn't bug me at all. This is definitely very thick in texture, so it's really important to utilize the muslin cloth and rub it in circular motions across your skin to remove all of the product without leaving a film on your skin. 

Look, the price of this is hefty. Very hefty. Intimidatingly hefty. However, this balm does the job. It makes my skin feel incredibly soft, it removes every ounce of makeup (I need the tiniest bit of toner afterward for my skin and again, I wear a lot of makeup so this is something I would expect), it doesn't irritate my skin or cause any breakouts, and it all around just makes my skin look and feel nice. For the price though, this is a tough one to recommend. Like every other Eve Lom product I've been lucky to try, I often wonder which I would realistically be able to implement into my everyday routine when it comes to price per usage. Of all of them, I think this may have to top it. I've had mine for a number of months now and made somewhat of a dent, but still have a ways to go. If you use the correct amount and don't overdo it, this balm will be able to last you longer than you'd expect.

Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm

This balm is on the top of lists for a reason. I was gifted this at an event of theirs in Soho and the packaging is too cute not to acknowledge. In full disclosure, it's recommended to use this in conjunction with another one of their cleansers that are actually sold additionally in a duo, which is not my favorite. The cleansing balm, however, is. This one is only $38 for 3.17 oz of product that very strongly resembles mango sorbet. 

This is an oil-based cleansing balm that is recommended for all skin types and is cruelty-free and vegan.  It melts away your makeup as well as facial impurities and excess face oil on your skin. It's also formulated with antioxidants to keep your skin fresh and protect it from free radicals.

The one thing this, and many other cleansing balms lack, is that exfoliating agent. This has a very smooth texture that removes makeup incredibly well, but it doesn't leave my face as smooth and soft as the Eve Lom Cleanser. Which, makes sense, as the Eve Lom Cleanser is meant to have five different benefits versus just makeup removal and cleansing. That being said, for the price, this one is just too good to pass up. It expertly removes even my toughest mascaras and eyeliners, doesn't make my skin feel sticky or greasy, and just all around does the job.

Farmacy Very Cherry Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm

I opted to get the cherry-scented limited edition cleansing balm from Farmacy, but never fear, there is a regular version that works just the same. This one is $34 for 3.4 oz of product and is the cheapest one I've tried out so far. But never fear, the price does not affect its, well, effectiveness. Launching alongside their new cherry serum, they released a limited-edition scent of their classic Green Clean cleansing balm with the same effects, just a different scent.

The cleansing balm is meant to remove your makeup and impurities while leaving your skin silky smooth. It melts away your makeup as well as offers gentle exfoliating. It's incredibly smooth–the smoothest of the three, in fact–and turns almost oil like when you rub it between your fingers to warm it up for your skin. I may have the least to say about this one, but I think the last thing I have to say about it might be the most important: this is my favorite of the three. It's the last one that I got, and is my favorite to use. It's incredibly lightweight, easy to remove from my skin, and does the job. While I certainly will be utilizing all three, if you're looking to start somewhere, I'd start here.

Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm

I've been dying to give Versed a try since I started seeing it pop up left and right on Instagram, but skincare is the last thing I need to be spending money on so I never pulled the trigger. The lovely Austen gave this to me at a holiday party and I've been using it on and off for the past month or so and it's absolutely glorious? It's the newest cleansing balm to me and it's...absolutely glorious? And only $18 for 2.3 oz of product? It has a more natural scent, which I really don't care about since it's on my skin for such a short period of time.

The formula is extremely creamy and not like a very thick balm. It melts instantly in your fingers and onto your skin and really removes the makeup and grime from my skin, including eyeliner and my tough to remove mascaras. There's only one mascara that I need the help of a liquid eye makeup remover for (and that's with all of my cleansing balms), but other than that, this cleansing balm pretty much tackles it all. I'm super impressed with its performance! I am going through it quite fast, but a little goes a long way and I've been using it pretty liberally as my face is massive and I wear a lot of makeup, but could probably due with using less. It just feels so soft and smooth against my face, I can't help it!

Have you tried a cleansing balm before? If so, what's your favorite?