Published on March 11, 2025 |12 min read

Cleansing balms are oil-based facial cleansers. They remove makeup (including heavy makeup), dirt, oil, grime, and other skincare products. They’re recommended for skin of all ages and are suitable for all skin types.

Choosing your perfect facial cleanser depends on your skin type, age, specific concerns, and even the feel of the product. While many products claim to be the “holy grail” of skincare, few actually deliver. If you're looking for a cleanser that effectively cleans, dissolves impurities, removes makeup, respects your skin's natural balance, and offers a distinct sensory experience, cleansing balm lives up to the hype—especially the [ comfort zone ] Sublime Skin Pro Barrier. 

Cleansing balms were originally developed for delicate skin or sensitive skin that reacted poorly to traditional cleansers. Now, they have evolved into a beloved skincare staple and have gained widespread popularity across all skin types. The true secret to a cleansing balm's effectiveness lies in its oil-based formulation. Oil attracts oil, so the cleansing balm can dissolve and lift away other oils on your skin, such as makeup and sebum, providing a gentle yet thorough cleanse. 

The high oil content also contributes significantly to the product's unique sensory experience and texture. It creates a rich, melt-away formula that starts out dense, creamy, and almost waxy to the touch. Massaging with water melts it into a lighter, milky emulsion that rinses away easily, leaving skin feeling nourished and hydrated. This transformation is functional and pleasant, turning the daily act of cleansing into a simple wellness ritual. 

Cleansing balms are ideal for daily cleansing, indeed they are designed to be effective without being harsh on the skin. Even if you don’t wear makeup, don’t make the mistake of going to bed without washing your face! Throughout the day, pollution, sebum, and dead skin cells build up on your skin, making this step essential in your beauty routine. Perfect for nighttime skincare thanks to their creamy and multifunctional texture, cleansing balms can also be used in the morning for a gentle and nourishing cleanse.

Here's the full process: 

1. Using a spatula, scoop out a small walnut-sized dollop of product.
2. With clean hands, massage the balm between your fingertips to warm and slightly melt the product.
3. Apply the product to your dry face.
4. Distribute over your eyes, face, and neck, allowing it to bind to makeup and impurities on the skin's surface.
5. Moisten hands and gently massage the product. This will turn it into a milky consistency which helps detach impurities from the skin barrier without disrupting the natural oil and water content of your skin.
6. To remove, rinse with lukewarm water, (you can use a cotton washcloth or disc to aid) ensuring no product residue remains.
7. Gently pat your face with a soft towel, avoiding rubbing to preserve the integrity of the skin.

If your skin is sensitive, distribute the product on your face with a bit of water. This changes the structure of the product, emulsifying the oily substances and making it softer and easier to spread. Note that it’s important to use lukewarm water, between 89.6°F to 98.6°F (32°C and 37°C), to respect the skin's physiological temperature. People with sensitive skin should also skip the massaging step.

Cleansing balms are gentle and effective—two ideal attributes of a great skincare routine. However, being a good cleansing agent is only the start. The additional benefits of a cleansing balm include:

• Effectively removes makeup and liposoluble impurities.
• Preserves the hydrolipidic film, which is essential for maintaining skin hydration levels and preventing stripping.
• Leaves a velvety finish, giving the impression of a light nourishing film on the skin.
• Reduces preservative absorption into the skin. The high oil content minimizes the presence of water, limiting or eliminating the need for preservatives and making the product gentler.

Adding cleansing balm to your skincare routine is simple. It can be used as a standalone product for cleansing, replace your current cleanser, or be incorporated into a double-cleansing routine. In the last case, use the cleansing balm first and follow it immediately with a water-soluble cleanser. After cleansing, apply toner to rebalance your skin’s pH, followed by an exfoliating mask if needed. Next, use a serum or essence to target specific skin concerns, then apply a moisturizer to lock in hydration. If this is your morning routine, finish with sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage. This combination ensures a thorough cleanse and comprehensive care for your skin.

The cleansing balm is an excellent product to include in your "skip-care routine," a trend that focuses on using few, yet highly effective products. It’s easy to use and provides hydration and protection by combining multiple functions in a single step.

Cleansing balms are a suitable option for most skin types and conditions, even for those with sensitive skin. It’s also gentle enough to be used around the eyes without issue.

Acne-prone skin benefits significantly from a cleansing balm, as it erases dirt or pollution that might settle into the skin. However, you’ll want to look for a balm formulated with non-occlusive oils or with "non-comedogenic tested" on the label. Also look for balms with ingredients like tea tree oil, which is known for its purifying action.

The Sublime Skin Pro Barrier is a 3-in-1 cleanser that not only gently cleanses but also delivers anti-aging benefits and efficiently removes makeup. It's the perfect addition to your double-cleansing routine. Its gel-oil texture is dense with a bright orange color,, transforming into a milky emulsion upon contact with water, which makes it ideal for massaging with reactivating and lifting strokes. Formulated with the antioxidant Achillea millefolium oil extract and nourishing almond oil, it effectively removes makeup, leaving the skin clean, soft, and velvety. Additionally, its fragrance-free formula makes it especially suitable for cleansing and gently removing makeup around the eyes.

This CONSCIOUS SKIN SCIENCE™ product adheres to the highest ethical standards, featuring 100% naturally derived ingredients. Free from animal derivatives, silicones, mineral oils, artificial dyes, ethoxylates (PEGs), acrylates, and EDTA, this fragrance-free balm is a true testament to gentle yet effective skincare.

The cleansing balm stands out as a highly effective and equally enjoyable multifunctional product to use.

Its oil-rich, waterless formulation with little to no preservatives provides a solution suitable for most skin conditions. Its ability to transform upon contact with water makes it incredibly versatile—suitable for both sensitive and more resilient skin types—while also being modern and functional. It is an excellent option for those seeking simplicity and effectiveness in a single product, perfect for "skip-care" routines that emphasize quality and functionality.

The cleansing balm goes beyond just cleansing—it's a powerful multi-active formula that helps maintain your skin's balance. Give it a try and see if it earns its "holy grail" status in your routine!