The Cleansing Balms We’re Reaching for in 2026

There’s something particularly satisfying about taking off a full face of makeup with a cleansing balm. Rather than scrubbing at mascara or repeatedly wiping away foundation, a good balm melts into the skin, loosening makeup, sunscreen and the day’s buildup before emulsifying with water.

And while cleansing balms have been around for years, there are always new formulas worth knowing about — alongside a few familiar favourites that continue to earn their place.

For our 2026 edit, we’ve picked the balms we’d actually be reaching for, from affordable options to more luxurious formulas.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

Best for: a straightforward, reliable cleanse

If you want a cleansing balm that gets on with the job without too much fuss, Clinique’s Take The Day Off remains a strong choice.

The solid balm melts into an oil as you massage it over dry skin, helping to break down makeup and sunscreen before rinsing away. It’s also fragrance-free, making it an appealing option if you prefer to keep your cleansing routine simple. Vogue currently names it as its best cleansing balm for sensitive skin, while The Standard also includes it among its 2026 favourites.

The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm

Best for: dry or tight-feeling skin

For something more affordable, The INKEY List’s Oat Cleansing Balm is a great place to start.

Its creamy texture feels particularly comfortable when your skin is feeling dry, while oat kernel oil and sweet almond oil give the formula a nourishing feel. It also comes in a tube rather than a traditional jar, which makes it easy to dispense exactly what you need.

It’s one of those uncomplicated products that makes sense when you want makeup removal to feel like part of your skincare routine rather than a separate chore.

Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original

Best for: a classic Korean cleansing balm

Banila Co’s Clean It Zero is one of the names that regularly comes up when talking about cleansing balms — and it’s easy to see why.

The sherbet-like balm melts quickly into the skin and works well for removing everyday makeup and sunscreen. If you’re new to cleansing balms, this is a particularly easy introduction to the format.

The Original formula does contain fragrance, so if your skin is particularly sensitive to fragranced products, it’s worth checking the ingredient list before buying.

Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm

Best for: a more luxurious cleansing ritual

If you enjoy turning your evening cleanse into something of a ritual, Then I Met You’s Living Cleansing Balm is the one to know.

It has a rich, buttery texture that melts into an oil as you massage it over the skin, making it particularly satisfying after a day of wearing makeup. Current 2026 testing also places it among the stronger choices for removing long-wear makeup and sunscreen.

It’s definitely more of a splurge, but the sensorial experience is part of its appeal.

Heimish All Clean Balm

Best for: a Korean beauty favourite

Heimish All Clean Balm is another K-beauty option that’s worth considering if you like your cleanser to have a soft, melting texture.

It’s designed to dissolve makeup and daily buildup, and its relatively accessible price makes it an easy one to try if you’re curious about cleansing balms without going straight for a luxury formula.

One thing to note is that the formula contains fragrance and aromatic oils, so it may not be the first choice if you’re deliberately avoiding fragrance in your skincare.

Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

Best for: removing more stubborn makeup

Farmacy’s Green Clean has been a favourite for a while, and we’re happy to see it make another appearance in the 2026 edit.

It’s particularly useful when you’ve been wearing fuller coverage, waterproof mascara or a more long-lasting makeup look. The balm transforms from solid to silky oil and then emulsifies with water, making it easier to rinse away.

The Independent recently named it its best cleansing balm for heavy makeup, noting that it removed makeup effectively while leaving skin feeling comfortable.

If you liked it in our 2025 edit, there’s no reason to retire it simply because the calendar has changed.

Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm

Best for: a lighter-feeling K-beauty option

Beauty of Joseon’s Radiance Cleansing Balm is another 2025 favourite that deserves to return.

The solid balm quickly turns into a cleansing oil and rinses away without the heavy, greasy feeling some richer balms can leave behind. The Independent’s 2026 testing also praised it for cleansing without stripping and noted that it didn’t leave the eye area feeling uncomfortable.

It’s also fragrance-free, which makes it a useful option if you’re trying to keep your cleansing routine uncomplicated.

How to Use a Cleansing Balm

Most cleansing balms work best when applied to dry skin. Take a small amount, massage it gently over your face and let the warmth of your hands melt the formula into the skin.

Add a little water and continue massaging until the balm turns milky, then rinse thoroughly. You can follow with a second cleanser if that’s part of your routine, particularly if you’ve been wearing a lot of makeup or sunscreen.

There’s no need to scrub. The whole point of a cleansing balm is to make removing makeup feel easier.

Which One Should You Choose?

There isn’t one cleansing balm that everyone needs. Think about what you actually want from yours.

For something simple and fragrance-free, Clinique is an easy choice. If your skin tends to feel dry, The INKEY List is worth a look. For a classic K-beauty balm, try Banila Co or Heimish, while Then I Met You is the pick for a more luxurious experience.

And if removing stubborn makeup is your main priority, Farmacy Green Clean remains one of the strongest options in the 2026 edit.

Ultimately, the best cleansing balm is the one that makes taking your makeup off feel less like a chore — and leaves your skin feeling clean, comfortable and ready for the rest of your evening routine.