15 Best Cleansing Balms to Melt Away Makeup and Hydrate Skin

Going to bed with a face full of makeup is the ultimate skincare faux pas. Leftover foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, or mascara can stain your cozy PJs, and it can be a headache to get out of your sheets. More importantly, sleeping with makeup can have a not-so-great impact on your skin. Have you ever gone to bed with makeup on and woke up with a pimple greeting you the next morning? No? Me neither. LOL! Makeup removers like micellar water, foaming cleansers, and wipes (biodegradable versions, OFC) are skincare staples trusted to break down even long-wear formulas (especially when you're double cleansing), but some of the best cleansing balms are a less harsh way to watch your makeup dissolve and give your skin extra TLC.

Finding the right cleansing balm for your skin type can be tricky. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, cleansing balms "won't strip the skin of its natural oils and cause drying," making them a safe bet for those with dry and sensitive skin. Cleansing balms work on oily and acne-prone skin, too, just be sure to grab a non-comedogenic one to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. While some makeup removers can irritate the undereye area due to their fragrance-laced formulas, EVE LOM Global Director of Education Todd Davidson says the natural ingredients in most cleansing balms "can be used around the eye area" without irritating the skin.

Swiping away at your skin with makeup remover wipes can cause redness, and some liquid removers are known to strip the skin of moisture, leaving it dry and dehydrated. But the true magic in oil, gel, and butter cleansing balm formulas lies in hydrating ingredients like jojoba and argan oils that smooth and soften the skin as they break down makeup. While most cleansing balms are enriched with nourishing ingredients, Davidson suggests steering clear of cleansing balms with synthetic fragrance, sulfates, parabens, and phthalates as they could lead to allergic reactions and breakouts.

Using cleansing balms is super easy, too. Just slather the product in your hand, rub it into your face, and wipe away with a damp towel. Some balms may require a warm water rinse to remove. If double (or even triple) cleansing is a part of your skincare regimen, Dr. King suggests using cleansing balms as the first step and following up with "a water-based cleanser as the second step to avoid leaving an oily residue."

No matter if you need a drugstore-friendly makeup remover or are looking for one that has this season's buzziest skincare ingredient (hello niacinamide and vitamin C), there's a cleansing balm that's right for you. Take a peek at the best cleansing balms to melt away makeup and hydrate skin. Don't be surprised if your skin serves glazed glow like donut skin (and nail) queen Hailey Bieber.