How Do I Add a Cleansing Balm to My Skincare Routine?

Suitable for all skin types, face cleansing balms are extremely effective at melting away all makeup, including the most stubborn mascara or eyeliner. Read on to learn how to use a cleansing balm and why this beauty staple is a favorite of beauty lovers around the globe. Plus, get to know Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover, our go-to cleansing balm that’s now reformulated. 

What Is a Cleansing Balm and How Does It Work?

Makeup remover balms are a soft-yet-solid variation of an oil-based cleanser that typically comes in a tub-like jar. The creamy balm texture melts into an oil once it’s massaged onto dry skin. As you work the product onto your face, it quickly removes dirt, skincare products, and lingering makeup—including stubborn eye makeup. 

So what is it that makes cleansing balms so effective? The magic is in the oil-based formula. The oils dissolve skincare products and excess oil on your skin. Once you add warm water to your face the oil emulsifies and you’re left with hydrated, clean skin. 

Because the balm removes makeup without the need for harsh scrubbing, cleansing balms are an excellent way to start any skincare routine. 

What Are the Benefits of Using a Cleansing Balm?

In our opinion, one of the best cleansing balms out there is Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover. This luxuriously creamy formula is infused with a blend of skin-loving ingredients, including vitamin C to visibly brighten your complexion, rosehip oil to nourish and hydrate, ceramides to visibly strengthen the skin barrier, and shea butter to intensely moisturize. 

Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm is designed to give you a spa-like experience with its rich texture and fresh blend of rose water with hints of citrus. Non-comedogenic, alcohol-free, vegan* and ophthalmologist-tested, it’s suitable for even sensitive skin. 

Here are the perks that come along with using this cleansing oil balm: 

Keeps Skin Moisturized

Because cleansing balms are oil-based, they leave a paper-thin veil of nourishing hydration over your skin. This helps lock in moisture to keep your skin feeling soft and hydrated. 

Removes Makeup and SPF

When using a cleansing balm vs. cleanser, you’ll enjoy an extra clean, makeup-free face once all’s said and done. The oils found in cleansing balms gently dissolve makeup and skincare products that are often tricky to remove, including waterproof mascara, eyeliner, oil-based foundations, and SPF. Best of all, the hydrating formula won’t strip your skin. 

Mess-Free

Unlike liquidy oil cleansers, cleansing oil balms are thick and soft. This makes for a spill-proof skincare routine. 

Super Gentle 

As powerful as they are at removing makeup, cleansing balms are still incredibly gentle. They’ll never leave your skin feeling rubbed raw, tight, itchy, dry, or stripped of important moisture. 

How to Use a Cleansing Balm

Cleansing balms require a slightly different approach than a traditional face wash. The biggest difference is that you apply it directly to dry skin instead of wetting your face first. Here’s the full rundown:

1. Morning or night, scoop a quarter-sized amount and apply to dry skin. 

2. Use your fingertips to massage the balm onto your skin for about 30 seconds. Focus on areas that have more makeup, like around your eyes. The balm will transform into a nourishing oil that melts away makeup, dirt, excess oil, and skincare products. 

3. Add water to emulsify the balm. Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm morphs into a luxurious milky cleanser that helps to visibly brighten skin instantly and over time. Plus, it delivers 24HR skin hydration! 

4. Continue rinsing to remove the cleansing balm, then gently pat dry. 

Note that some people like to do what’s called “double cleansing,” which means they wash their face a second time with a gel, foam, or micellar water cleanser. If time permits, this extra step is good for people with oily skin, blemish-prone skin, or sensitive skin types who prefer to remove residual moisturizing oils. 

If you want to double cleanse, follow up with Confidence in a Cleanser, which is formulated with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to nourish and hydrate. 

Once dry, you can move forward with the rest of your regimen. Not sure where to start? We recommend using a face serum to target specific skin concerns, followed by your favorite eye cream and moisturizer. 

Who Should Use a Cleansing Balm

Do I need a cleansing balm? We enthusiastically say “Yes!” Cleansing balms, including Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover, are suitable for all skin types and easily swapped for your regular cleanser. 

They’re particularly beneficial for those with dry skin, sensitive skin, and people who wear makeup. Because cleansing balms help remove excess oil and promote a complexion that feels balanced, they’re also a good choice for people with oily skin or blemish-prone skin. 

Now that you know how to use a cleansing balm, read about why you need Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover on your bathroom sink.