Beauty

Three Cleansing Balms to Love

cleansing-balmsThree Cleansing Balms to Love

Bonus? You can find two of these at the drugstore. 

Oils have been my favorite way of removing makeup for a very long time and I fell in love with the concept of double-cleansing. Jojoba, Seaberry, Grape Seed and Vitamin E are some of my favorite oils to use for cleansing. With oils there’s not need to tug or pull on your skin and irritate it- makeup just melts away.

My dermatologist strictly forbid me from using oils on my skin a while ago, and even though I still use my favorite Argan and Skin Balancing oils as moisturizers, I don’t use them for cleansing, unless my skin feels incredibly dry.

What I’ve been loving though are cleansing balms. They’re usually just as gentle as oils and are just as good at removing all traces of makeup (although this depends on the formula).  Clinique’s Take the Day Off is probably one of the most popular balms ones out there and it’s been a solid favorite for ages, but I have a few other ones I’m currently rotating.

One of my favorite balms is No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Balm. Here’s the thing though: it’s not the best at removing makeup. It will remove foundation, brow, cheek and lip products, but it’s a different story when it comes to eyeliner and mascara. The reason why I love it though, is because it leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft after I use it. Like, I-don’t-even-need-to-moisturize kind of soft. I love using this in the morning, because even though by 12 o’clock in the afternoon my skin is usually very oily, it feels pretty dry when I wake up. It’s almost like that uncomfortable kind of dry, and this balm brings instant relief to that tight feeling. Love that it comes in a tube.

drugstore-cleansing-balm

My favorite out the three- It Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Melting Cleansing Balm*. This one is amazing at removing even water-resistant products and once again, leaves the skin feeling soft and nourished. It’s formulated with ceramides (which I love in my skincare products), hyaluronic acid, collagen and peptides. It also contains a quite controversial ingredient- mineral oil. I’ve used mineral oil products as part of my body care as long as I can remember, I’ve also read a number of studies all of which found that mineral oil isn’t bad for your skin. Purified mineral oil (which is what’s used in skincare) won’t give your skin any conditioning/improvements like plant oils can, but it’s good for sealing in moisture.

it-cosmetics-cleansing-balm

Last, but not least, there’s Nourishing Cleansing Balm with Sweet Almond Oil and Cocoa Butter from Pixi*. This balm has a balm-to-oil formula and it’s the creamiest out of these three. It’s really, really rich and amazing at removing makeup, but you might not like it if your skin is very oily. I find that sometimes with this balm I need to do not a double, but a triple cleanse to get rid of the slightly oily residue. I love washing it off with a warm cloth- it feels amazing, especially when my skin feels very dry.  A small amount is all I need to sue for my entire face and neck. This balm should definitely be used very sparingly.

As much as I love all three of these and will definitely continue to use them, I just wish they were all fragrance-free. The It Cosmetics 3-in1 Cleansing Balm does appear fragrance-free but  fragrance is listed in the ingredient list (which sometimes is added to neutralize the scent of other ingredients, to actually make it appear fragrance-free). Thankfully, I don’t find any of these three irritating- it’s quite the opposite, actually. I just really, REALLY wish that all skincare products were fragrance-free. There are so many high-end products that are loaded with heavy fragrance that it just seems like a waste of money to splurge on them. Fragrance and dyes isn’t what will change or improve skin- only great ingredients will. You’d think that people creating these products would know that, right?

Do you like using cleansing balms? Which one’s your favorite?

*PR samples/gifted items

42 Comments

  • Reply
    Aleksandra // bunniesaremagic
    October 15, 2016 at 1:34 pm

    Thanks, the removal of makeup is something I find really difficult so will for sure look out for nourishing balm!

  • Reply
    Natalie Harney
    October 15, 2016 at 1:37 pm

    I feel like I don’t hear people talking about the No7 stuff enough, they have some really nice products, might have to try out their cleansing balm now – thanks!

    – Natalie
    http://www.workovereasy.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 18, 2016 at 10:00 am

      They do! I only came across them at my local Target in the past but I now see more and more places in the US selling them, which is great.

  • Reply
    Madowo | see what I see
    October 15, 2016 at 2:35 pm

    I really loved a lot Moringa Cleansing Balm from Emma Hardie, but the price makes my heart drop. Clinique’s alternative seems more affordable and interesting!

  • Reply
    Kathy
    October 15, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    no7 cleanser sounds lovely, I’ve been looking for a product like that as I sometimes just forget to moisturise so I love that it makes your skin feel like it has been moisturised!
    Kathy x
    http://www.alongcamekathy.blogspot.co.nz

  • Reply
    Kristina
    October 15, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    Can’t believe two are from the drugstore! I need to test those out x

    Creepers & Cupcakes

  • Reply
    JaynieShannonx
    October 15, 2016 at 4:22 pm

    No7 stuff is really good! I used one of their cleaners a while back. I really need to see a dermatologist because I have NO idea where to start with my skin!

    JaynieShannon Beauty & Lifestyle

    xx

  • Reply
    Katie S.
    October 15, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    I’ve never tried these but now I’m curious! I feel like I go through phases with what I prefer to use to take off my makeup. I’ll have to give this a try! Also, I was telling my mom about the IT undereye concealer you were talking about. She ended up picking it up and loves it!

    Katie | http://www.overthemoony.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 18, 2016 at 10:02 am

      I do the same thing! Just like with a shampoo haha I have to rotate it once in a while. Oh so happy your mom loved the concealer, yay!

  • Reply
    mika
    October 15, 2016 at 4:50 pm

    Definitely agree about the Pixi balm! I just recently got it and it’s not my favorite. But I do like to use it still. It’s not the best at getting off liquid lipstick, in my opinion :( especially hand swatches etc! But I like it for an emergency. I have not tried the others so will have to sometime!

    xoxo
    http://www.hellohimawari.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 18, 2016 at 10:03 am

      For some reason I feel like hand swatches are always most difficult to remove for me. Maybe that’s because the skin on my hands isn’t oily like my face haha ;)

  • Reply
    Emma Louise
    October 15, 2016 at 6:07 pm

    No 7 products are surprisingly amazing! The moisturising mask is my fave! Really want to try the Pixi balm but they’re quite expensive…maybe after payday hehe.

    Emma xx

    positivityinthecity.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply
    Brooke
    October 15, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    I have been wanting to try the Pixi cleansing balm, but I am glad I read this first. I have very oily skin, so I am not sure that it would work well for me. Thanks for the great review!
    Brooke | http://beautydecorandmore.com/

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 18, 2016 at 10:06 am

      I have naturally very oily skin too, but what I do with these is I double-cleanse. I first use the balm and then wash it off with a cleanser (except for the NO7 one when my skin feels dry due to my acne meds). It gets rid of all the residue that any balm can leave behind.

  • Reply
    Kiss & Make-up
    October 16, 2016 at 5:25 am

    I like the Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing balm.

  • Reply
    Ambar Syed
    October 16, 2016 at 5:36 am

    I used to use the No 7 balm earlier this year and then I ran out – it’s perfect for sensitive skin because it’s just so gentle. I recently purchased the Clinique balm and I’m looking forward to it arriving because I can’t wait to try it! :)
    – Ambar x
    http://www.herlittleloves.co.uk

  • Reply
    Jessica Riley
    October 16, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    I’ve recently really got into cleansing balms so I’lll have to give these three a look!

    xoxo

    jessica

    from

    The Crown Wings

  • Reply
    Maya A
    October 16, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    Omg I think need the No7 cleansing balm!! It sounds perfect for my skin type. I love hydrating morning cleansers xx

    Maya | https://makeupnskinblog.wordpress.com

  • Reply
    Sonini 92
    October 16, 2016 at 5:31 pm

    I didn’t know any of these cleansing balms, but I want to try them all!
    XOXO
    Pretty Little Lawyer

  • Reply
    Caked To The Nines
    October 16, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    I’ve used cleansing oils before, but not a balm. I was just thinking about how I want to try a cleansing balm next so these ones are going to the top of my wishlist!

    xx
    Nida | Caked To The Nines

  • Reply
    Mary Ann
    October 17, 2016 at 1:33 am

    one I’ve been using is Pond’s cold cleansing cream but I’ll start to use the essential oils…

    Mary Ann
    peppermintcrinkles.blogspot.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 18, 2016 at 10:09 am

      Totally forgot about that one, I have it and reach for it usually during winter, love that one too!

  • Reply
    Beautylymin
    October 17, 2016 at 3:17 am

    Ok, you’ve sold the No 7 balm to me!! I think I have a money off coupon so will pick this up! xx

    Beautylymin| Kat Von D Contour Palette & brush Giveaway

  • Reply
    ThePartyParrotBlog
    October 17, 2016 at 10:51 am

    I need to try these! I love cleansing balms; my skin is quite dry, so they work just fine for me. Great review xx

    Naya

  • Reply
    Mammafulzo
    October 17, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    I love using cleansing balms, my favourite out of the ones I have tried so far is the Emma Hardie Moringa cleansing balm, but there are so many I have on my wishlist xxx

    Zoe ♥ MammafulZo

  • Reply
    steff @ brighterdarling.com
    October 20, 2016 at 12:04 pm

    LOVE cleansing balms because I think balms and oils are so much more gentle at removing makeup than a makeup wipe. I like balms even more than oils because they’re simply more travel friendly. My favorite is the Estee Lauder Micro Cleansing Balm, but I’m currently playing with the Even Lom one and its very decadent. I think the EL one removes makeup a bit better, though. Funny thing, the Clinique and EL have nearly identical ingredients, but the Clinique one breaks me out!? So bizarre. #highmaintenanceskin

  • Reply
    The Gossip Darling
    October 27, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Trying them all!!!

    XO

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