5 Best Korean Cleansing Balm Options On The Market
Looking for a gentle, yet effective way to cleanse your skin?
Cleansing balms are a great way to rid your skin of the day's dirt, oil and impurities without sacrificing your skin’s natural moisture.
What Are Cleansing Balms?
These rich, creamy cleansers are the perfect solutions for every skin tone and all skin types, especially our dry-skinned folk.
Essentially cleansing oils in a different form and texture, these balms leave the skin looking and feeling fresh and nourished without clogging pores. Even better, they can double as makeup removers too.
So whether you're a first-time buyer or just looking to switch up your skincare routine, keep reading our in-depth product reviews to find out the Best Korean Cleansing Balm for your healthy skin needs!
How Do You Use It?
Massage a single scoop directly into the skin in circular motions. Once the balm has been massaged into the skin for about 30 seconds to 45 seconds, rinse it off with lukewarm water and a recommended water based cleanser.
How To Make The Most Of This Article
We all have our own skincare goals and we want to help you reach yours. Before you dive into the reviews, take a minute to jot down your top 2 to 3 concerns are that you hope to solve with this product. Throughout the reviews, we have highlighted key features to help you browse through with ease till you spot your perfect K-Beauty Cleansing Balm.
Best Overall: BANILA CO Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
Why We Are Passionate About It
Presenting the BANILA CO Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm, your new hypoallergenic go-to for all skin types, even sensitive skin. This balm is gentle enough for everyday use and is formulated with Zero Balance Technology to cleanse your skin deeply, while also keeping it hydrated and healthy. It removes makeup as well as any stubborn makeup residue. This product leaves your skin feeling soft, healthy and looking radiant.
Now, there are four different versions to suit your specific skin needs making this balm our overall favorite pick as one of the best Korean cleansing balms: Purifying, Revitalizing, Pore Clarifying, and Nourishing. So whatever your skin type, BANILA CO has you covered with the zero cleansing balm.
What's In It
Ingredients used include active botanicals, hot springs water, vitamin E and C.
Another Plus Point
It is formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, alcohol, or artificial coloring.
Reviews
Users have given this product high marks for its ability to remove makeup and oil-based impurities, even from dry and mature skin. This product does the job just as well as luxury brands, but costs significantly less.
Best All-Inclusive: Heimish All Clean Balm
Why We Are Passionate About It
Introducing the Heimish All Clean Balm, the gentle cleanser that wipes away waterproof, stubborn eye makeup, and oil-based impurities in one easy step! This unique, all-inclusive balm-oil-milk formula is perfect for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin, pregnant women and teenagers. It works wonders when it comes to removing blackheads that may be seated inside or under the skin. Choose from two tantalizing scents: Natural Herb or Mandarin.
The Heimish All Clean Balm goes on like a rich balm but melts into a light oil when massaged into the skin. The milk proteins then work to lift away stubborn makeup and dirt, leaving your complexion clean, soft, radiant, smooth, and healthy after just one use.
What's In It
Ingredients used include citrus herb oil, white flower complex, coconut extract, and shea butter.
Another Plus Point
The product is cruelty-free, pigment-free, vegan, includes only natural fragrance and is dermatologist-tested.
Reviews
Users report that the product removes makeup well without drying out their face, and bonus it work well for those with sensitive skin. Customers also enjoy the presentation of the product, from its packaging to its spatula.
Best High-End and Multifaceted: Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm
Why We Are Passionate About It
If you are looking for a cleanser that does it all, then look no further than the Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm. This popular balm works as a cleanser, exfoliant, and makeup remover all-in-one, making it the perfect solution for those with a busy lifestyle. Made with PEG-free papaya extract, this balm can remove dead skin cells andimpurities, and brightens skin, revealing a softer, smooth, bright, moisturized, and soothed complexion that glows.
This soothing fragrant experience will leave your skin feeling clean and hydrated making it our multifaceted pick. Prior to use, it is recommended to patch test on small area of skin. It is made for oily, combination, sensitive, dry, and normal skin types.
A little amount of this product goes a long way, and customers report that they love this product for its gentleness on sensitive skin as well as its ability to thoroughly remove makeup.
What's In It
This refreshing balm is rich in fatty acids being packed with exfoliating and calming papaya seed oil, papaya enzymes, papaya extract, and antioxidant-rich blueberry.
Another Plus Point
The product is also free of parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, phthalates, drying alcohols, synthetic dyes, and is vegan and cruelty-free.
Best Award Winning Choice: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
Why We Are Passionate About It
The Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning, Then I Met You's Living Cleansing Balm is the perfect solution for dissolving oil-based impurities such as long-wear formulas, water-resistant sunscreens and excess sebum. This gentle, yet effective cleanser is perfect for all types of skin and leaves your skin feeling soft and refreshed. This nourishing cleanser is perfect for double cleansing without affecting the skin’s moisture balance.
People love this product because it is so versatile and it works great for all skin types, especially combination and sensitive skin. It is also very hydrating, which people appreciate.
What's In It
This product is formulated with sea buckthorn oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, persimmon extract, vitamin E, and is packed with antioxidants and essential fatty acids.
Another Plus Point
It is also cruelty-free and vegan, and free of polyethylene, mineral oil, alcohol, silicone, parabens, artificial coloring and synthetic fragrance.
Bonus Mention: Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm
Though this product did not make it into the list above, it came in 5th place. Given, the current rising trend of rice based skincare, our pick for that category would be the Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm.
Made for all skin types, this cleanser is a gentle yet effective way to remove makeup, impurities, and excess sebum, leaving your skin feeling clean, hydrated, and radiant.
Reviews claim this product is greatly effective in removing makeup and works for a wide range of skin types including sensitive, reactive, rosacea-prone skin to name a few.
The key ingredients in this formula is rice bran water, oat meal extract, rice seed extract, rice extract, and rice bran oil. This product is vegan and cruelty-free, as well as formulated without artificial fragrances and colors, parabens, sulfates, animal products, alcohol, mineral oils, essential oils, and silicone.
Cleansing Balm FAQs
Cleansing balms have become incredibly popular in recent years with a variety of uses. From removing dead skin cells to stubborn eye makeup this product does it all. However, there are still a lot of misconceptions about them.
People often think that these balms are only for those with dry skin. On the contrary, they can be used by anyone, regardless of the skin type. As with anything in life, you just have to find what works best for you.
To further help you, we have compiled a few popular questions about so you can gather all the information you need to find your next holy grail product.
Is cleansing balm better than face wash?
There is no simple answer to this question as it depends on a variety of factors from your skin type to the ingredients in the balm. That said, some people find that balms are better than face washes because they are more gentle and they remove more makeup and dirt.
Balms usually contain oils or butters that aid in breaking down the toughest of makeup, including eye makeup, and dirt on your face, while simultaneously moisturizing your skin. Face washes, on the other hand, often contain harsh chemicals that can dry out your skin. If your skin is rather dry, a balm may be a better option for you than a face wash.
How do you double cleanse with a balm?
Double cleansing is a two-step process of cleansing the face with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one. This two-step method is said to be more effective than just using a water-based cleanser because it removes all traces of makeup, dirt, and oils from the skin.
To double cleanse your face, start by applying an oil-based cleanser to skin when dry. Massage the cleanser into the skin for about 30 seconds to break up face to eye makeup or dirt. Rinse the cleanser off with warm water and then follow up with a water-based cleanser. Massage the water-based cleanser into the skin for about 30 seconds before rinsing it off.
How can I identify my skin type?
There are a few simple ways to identify your skin type. One way is to look at your skin in the morning after you've washed it. If your skin feels tight and dry, then your skin type is dry. If your skin feels oily and greasy, then you have an oily skin type. If your skin is in between, then you have a normal skin type.
Another way to identify your skin type is by observing how often you get acne breakouts. People with oily skin tend to get acne more often than people with other types of skin. People with dry skin tend to not get acne as often, but they may have other problems like eczema or psoriasis.
Are cleansing balms good for oily skin?
Yes, they are great for oily skin. They help to remove excess oil and dirt without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
The cleansing balm is also a great option for people with sensitive skin, as it is gentle and non-irritating. Some people find this product works better than traditional face wash for removing makeup and sunscreen.
Do cleansing balms strip skin?
The balms are a type of cleansing oil designed to remove all traces of makeup and environmental pollutants from the skin.
Some people believe that this product strips the skin, however this is not the case. In fact, the balms are a gentle and effective way to cleanse the skin without using harsh chemicals or artificial ingredients.
Is cleansing balm good for dry skin?
They are a great way to cleanse dry skin, as they are moisturizing and gentle. They help to remove dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping the skin of its natural oils, which can lead to dryness. Some balms also contain antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients that can nourish and protect the skin.
Do cleansing balms clog pores?
It is possible that the balms may clog pores if they are not removed correctly. However, if they are properly removed with a mild cleanser and water, this problem can be avoided.
Is it okay to use a cleansing balm everyday?
It is okay to use it everyday as long as it is gentle and non-abrasive. Many people find that using a balm everyday helps them to keep their skin clear and free of impurities. However, it is important to use a gentle cleanser in order to avoid stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Is micellar water better than cleansing balm?
There isn't a single answer to this question since it depends on your skin type and what you're looking for in a cleanser. Micellar water is great for removing light makeup and refreshing the skin, while cleansing balm is better for deep cleansing and removing heavy makeup. Ultimately, the best way to find out which type of cleanser is right for you is to try both and see which one works best for you.
Why Korean Skincare?
There are a number of reasons why Korean skincare brands have become so popular. Koreans have long been known for their dedication to skincare. In Korea, both men and women take great pride in having beautiful skin and spend a lot of time and money on products and treatments.
Korean skincare products also tend to be very high quality and are often formulated with cutting-edge ingredients and technologies and are developed by experts in the field. Additionally, Korean skincare products are usually quite affordable compared to other high-end brands.
Best Korean Cleansing Balm For You - What We Recommend
So far, we have looked at some of the best Korean cleansing balms and what you should look for when choosing one. We hope that our picks have helped you narrow down your options and given you a better understanding of this product. Be sure to check out them out.
Thanks for reading!
How We Curated Our List
From a foam cleanser to a cleansing oil, there many options on the market with many different ingredients ranging from apricot kernel oil to jojoba oil. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what product is best for you, especially if you're just starting you skincare journey or have super sensitive skin that doesn't allow you to test just any product.
We've taken the guesswork out of it for you and compiled a concise list of high-quality products that will fit both your budget and your needs. Whether you're looking for a luxury option or something more affordable, we've got you covered.
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