What Is a Cleansing Balm and How Do You Use It?
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If you've been curious about cleansing balms but aren't sure where to start, you're not alone. These luxurious, plant-based cleansers have become a staple in natural skincare routines and for good reason. Here's everything you need to know.
What Is a Cleansing Balm?
A cleansing balm is a solid or semi-solid oil-based cleanser that melts into a silky oil upon contact with skin. Unlike foaming cleansers, balms are formulated to dissolve makeup, SPF, excess sebum, and daily impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier. They're typically made with a blend of nourishing plant butters, waxes, and botanical oils, making them ideal for dry, sensitive, or mature skin types.
How Does It Work?
Cleansing balms work on the principle of like dissolves like. Oils bind to oil-based impurities (including waterproof makeup and sunscreen), lifting them gently from the skin without harsh surfactants.
How to Use a Cleansing Balm (Step-by-Step)
- Start with dry hands and a dry face. Water can prevent the balm from properly emulsifying.
- Scoop a small amount (about a pea to hazelnut size) and warm it between your fingertips.
- Massage gently onto dry skin in circular motions for 30-60 seconds, focusing on areas with makeup or congestion.
- Add a little warm water to emulsify. The balm will turn milky and rinse clean.
- Rinse thoroughly and follow with your toner, serum, or moisturiser.
Tip: For a deeper cleanse, use as the first step in a double-cleanse routine.
Why This Balm Doubles as a Mask
What makes this cleansing balm more than just a cleanser is the herbal infusion at its heart.
The oils are slowly infused with calendula and lavender, two plants long valued in herbal traditions for their gentle, skin-supportive qualities. Calendula is known for its ability to comfort and nourish the skin, while lavender brings a soft, calming element to both the skin and the senses.
When left on the skin for a little longer, these infused oils have time to fully absorb, allowing the skin to take in their benefits more deeply. Rather than simply cleansing and rinsing away, the balm becomes a moment of care, helping to soften, replenish, and restore the skin’s natural balance.
Used as a weekly mask, it transforms your routine into a slower, more intentional ritual, giving your skin a chance to rest, reset, and feel truly nourished.
A Mask That Fits Into Real Life
While this balm can be used as a nourishing mask for up to 10 minutes, twice a week… let’s be honest, not everyone has time to sit with a face mask on.
That’s why I love a simpler approach.
Apply a small amount in the evening and leave it on for a couple of minutes while you brush your teeth. It gives the herbal infusion time to settle into the skin, offering many of the same benefits in a way that fits easily into your routine.
It’s skincare that works with your day, not against it, gentle, effective, and effortlessly part of your evening ritual.
Who Is It For?
Cleansing balms suit most skin types, but they're especially beneficial for:
- Dry or dehydrated skin
- Sensitive or reactive skin
- Mature skin
- Anyone who wears SPF or makeup daily
Why Choose a Natural Cleansing Balm?
Conventional cleansers often contain synthetic emulsifiers, fragrances, and preservatives that can disrupt the skin microbiome. A plant-based cleansing balm uses whole botanical ingredients like shea butter, jojoba, and beeswax or candelilla wax to cleanse while actively nourishing the skin.
Final Thoughts
A cleansing balm is more than just a makeup remover. It's a ritual. Taking a moment to massage your skin each evening supports circulation, lymphatic drainage, and a sense of calm. If you haven't tried one yet, your skin will thank you.
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