Nothing feels better than a clean fresh face before you hit the sheets, right? And what better way to achieve that than a good ol’ double cleanse?
The double cleansing method is a huge trend in the Korean skincare routine. You start with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based facial cleanser (such as a foam cleanser) for the perfect deep cleansing.
Usually, removing makeup with an oil-based cleanser is the best way to get rid of all residue. You can choose from two types- oil cleanser (liquid) or balm cleanser.
Balm cleansers effectively remove makeup, SPF, dead skin cells, and oil-based impurities without stripping the natural oils from the skin. Due to their formulation, they are excellent for dry skin types.
Since there are so many options out there, it might be difficult for you to choose the best korean cleansing balm for your skin type. This is where I come in, for I have done the hard work to make things easier for you.
Here is my list of the safest and best Korean cleansing balms that are made up of skin-friendly ingredients.
6 Best Korean Cleansing Balms – Reviews
The best Korean cleansing balms work better than other cleansers as they gently cleanse and remove makeup residue and oil-based impurities without damaging the skin barrier.
1. Haruharu Wonder Centella Sunflower Makeup-Melting Cleansing Balm
My verdict: Overall best Korean cleansing balm for removing makeup
If you have a sensitive skin type, prone to dryness and irritation, this is one of the best Korean makeup removers for you.
it is jampacked with tons of skin-loving moisturizing ingredients like sunflower, jojoba and olive oil, shea butter, squalane, and panthenol. They restore the lost moisture and make sure the skin stays hydrated and supple.
There’s also tea tree and Centella to bring relief to irritated skin.
The sherbet texture instantly melts upon contact, yielding a silky oil that can effectively remove dead skin cells, excess sebum, residual impurities, and even waterproof makeup.
The best part? This makeup remover balm is free from harsh chemicals as well as pore-clogging ingredients, making it the best Korean cleansing balm for sensitive skin.
It is also alcohol-free and fragrance-free.
Why You Will Love It
- Hydration burst
Most users love how it leaves their skin hydrated after using this balm cleanser. The moisture from this cleansing balm helps protect the skin’s moisture barrier.
- Sensitive skin-friendly
As a sensitive skin girlie I love how gentle this makeup removing balm is on my skin and how minimalist its ingredients list is!
Its soothing ingredients help keep acne flare-ups and irritation at bay, making it a good choice for people with acne-prone skin as well.
- Gentle on the skin, tough on the makeup
Despite being a gentle cleanser, users love how this balm cleanser is great for removing makeup residue, whether it is waterproof eye makeup or heavy full-coverage makeup.
Keep In Mind
It takes slightly longer to melt waterproof mascara.
PRO TIP: I also love another Haruharu oil-based cleanser – in liquid form. I think it is an awesome choice if you struggle with acne breakouts. It calms irritated skin and easily removes heavy makeup. And it doesn’t cause the face to break out!
It’s definitely one of my favorite Korean oil cleansers.
2. Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm
My verdict: Best Korean balm cleanser for all skin types, including sensitive skin
As the name suggests, it contains papaya which is known to remove dead skin cells with its enzyme Papain.
Hence, the papaya enzymes and papaya seed oils are a perfect blend that offers gentle exfoliation along with nourishment.
The result? Clean soothed and smooth skin with an improved skin tone.
This cleansing balm contains natural ingredients that make it such an amazing makeup remover for sensitive skin. For instance, blueberry extract helps boost the skin’s radiance with its antioxidant properties.
The Apricot kernel oil is known for its nourishing and soothing effect, thanks to vitamin E and fatty acids.
The texture is sorbet balm that turns into a luscious milky oil, removing all oily residue, sunscreen, stubborn makeup (including eye makeup), and other impurities.
The best part? It is free of harsh chemicals like PEG, mineral oil, and alcohol, so you don’t have to worry about skin irritation.
Why You Will Love It
- 2-in-1 action
As this balm cleanser doubles up as an exfoliant and a soothing cleanser, most users love how one product can get both jobs done simultaneously.
- Great for all skin types
Among the advantages, users mention the diversity of this balm as it is suitable for all types of skin. The nourishing ingredients really make it the best Korean cleansing balm.
- Jampacked with natural ingredients
Most users love this eco-friendly cleansing balm being full of natural constituents. They love how their skin feels dewy and glowy after using this nourishing Korean cleansing balm.
- Dissolves makeup effortlessly
This cleansing balm can easily dissolve thick make up, including waterproof mascara, and does not irritate the eyes.
Keep In Mind
One of the users mentions how the exfoliating action left their skin a little dry.
3. House Of Hur Purifying Cleansing Balm
My verdict: Yummiest cleansing balm ever!
We have to admit that: Hur came up with the sweetest and yummiest looking cleansing balm ever!
It has a texture of… strawberry sherbet!
And it actually contains strawberry extract!
But of course it’s not just about how the balm looks, it’s also about its effectiveness at cleansing makeup and all that oily grime from your face. And it does it super fast!
Why You Will Love It
- Sebum control
It’s always a bit tricky with oil-based cleansers, especially if you have oily and acne skin.
The good news is that Hur cleanser helps to control sebum production and skin’s oiliness. All thanks to wild strawberry, cherry and vitamin tree fruit extracts.
- Hygienic packaging
What distinguishes this K beauty cleansing balm is its grinding dispenser. This means you get just the right amount of the balm and there’s no risk of contamination for the rest of the product!
I also like the design of the part grinding cap – the balm doesn’t get stuck in any nooks and crannies.
Keep In Mind
It is on the expensive side!
4. Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
My verdict: Korean makeup remover balm with shortest ingredients list
What distinguishes this makeup removing cleansing balm is its packaging. It doesn’t require scooping with fingers or spatula – you just need to rotate the grinding top part to get the amount of balm needed for the first step of double cleansing!
It’s really awesome that the brand came up with such a hygienic solution.
It contains camellia and grape seed oils, plus Centella Asiatica for extra soothing effect.
Why You Will Love It?
Removes stubborn makeup without excessive rubbing
Most users love how easily this balm removes all makeup and impurities. No rubbing required! Everything melts away so easily. It’s also effective for cleansing clogged pores.
- Safe for the eye area
One of the most raved features of this balm cleanser is how gentle it is on the skin, especially the eye area.
Women who have had some trouble with other cleansing balms while removing eye makeup love how effectively this product removes their eye makeup without irritating this sensitive area.
- Zero pore clogging ingredients
Lots of Korean cleansing balms have at least a few comedogenic ingredients (sometimes quite a lot to be fair!), but dr. Althea balm is unique because it has ZERO pore-cloggers.
Keep In Mind
On of the most pricey cleansers, but I guess that’s the price for great inci list!
5. Aromatica Orange Cleansing Sherbet
My verdict: Great Korean cleansing balm for oily skin
Aromatica has a delicious orange scent. It cleanses the skin effectively, removing all makeup, sunscreen and other grime.
This makeup remover contains apricot oil that nourishes and softens the skin. Among its benefits is also anti-aging power, as it works on wrinkles and fine lines.
There’s also Babassu oil that is suitable for both dry and oily skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties, plus moisturized the skin.
Why You Will Love It
- Simple ingredients
It has a short ingredients list which is always a benefits, especially for folks with reactive skin.
- Nourished happy skin
The users claim that regular usage of this K beauty cleansing balm has multiple benefits. It makes the skin supple and dewy, thanks to antioxidants and fatty acids.
- Beautiful scent
It has a fresh orange scent that comes from the ingredients. There’s no added artificial fragrance!
Keep In Mind
It is on the expensive side!
6. Beauty Of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm
My verdict: Best K-beauty makeup remover balm for oily skin
This makeup remover balm has been recently reformulated and now is fragrance-free, therefore I can include it on my list here.
It has a few hydrating ingredients, that replenish moisture and prevent skin dryness (rice bran oil, oat meal extract, sea buckthorn oil and soybean extract).
It has lightweight texture that easily emulsifies.
Why You Will Love It
- Holy Grail for oily skin
According to users it helps to control skin’s oiliness. I’ve been online reviews recommending it for acne and oily skin!
However, with so many nourishing and moisturizing ingredients, this cleanser works nicely for dry skin too.
- Brighter skin tone
Girls claim this balm has made their skin looking smoother, more supple and brighter.
- No problematic ingredients
Breakouts from cleansing balms are not a rare thing unfortunately. But I went though dozens reviews of BoJ balm and users agree that it doesn’t clog pores and doesn’t trigger acne breakouts!
Keep In Mind
If your skin is really prone to dryness, you might need a rich moisturizer after this cleanser.
Final Decision: What Is The Best Korean Cleansing Balm For Removing Makeup?
In my opinion, the best Korean cleansing balm among all these is Haruharu cleansing balm. The reason I chose this is that it effective for removing makeup without risking flareups, irritations or clogged pores.
There is one more thing that makes it one of the best Korean cleansing balms: it’s suitable for all skin types, even sensitive and reactive skin!
Other Popular Korean Cleansing Balms (Which I Don’t Recommend)
Now these favorite cleansing balms from some top-notch Korean beauty brands are really popular among the masses as they deliver good results, but they do contain a few questionable ingredients that I feel you should know about.
I don’t recommend them especially if you have sensitive skin, prone to acne and easily clogging pores:
1. Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Pore Clarifying
This cleansing balm is a cult favorite amongst all K beauty balm cleansers because of its pore-clarifying and triple-acid action. It has a blend of AHA, BHA, and LHA that exfoliates the skin surface while removing gunk from the pores.
Apart from that, Banila Co Clean It Zero balm serves as one of the most loved makeup removers, with a sherbet-like texture.
It also contains anti-inflammatory jojoba seed oil as well as tea tree leaf extract and tea tree oil, which are amazing for balancing oil production and fighting acne-causing bacteria.
It seems to be loved by many people.
However, it contains ingredients that are “shady” in my opinion.
There are different variants of this cleansing balm, but they contain harsh chemicals like PEG-15, Phenoxyethanol, acrylates, and fragrances, so they may irritating for delicate facial skin.
I think there are safer options (which I reviewed above) that are well worth the money!
2. Heimish All Clean Balm
Packed with a blend of essential oils, grape seed oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, the Heimish All Clean Balm removes waterproof makeup, sunscreen, grime, sweat, and old skin cells without causing any irritation.
So why I do not recommend it?
Mainly because its first ingredient is ethylhexyl palmitate – highly comedogenic ingredient. Of course each skin may react differently to it, and there’s no 100% guarantee it will clog your pores.
But I prefer to play safe, because my skin is prone to acne and breaks out easily. Therefore I’m steering clear from Heimish balm.
3. APRILSKIN Carrotene IPMP Hydramelt Cleansing Balm
This is a hydrating cleansing balm that can dissolve makeup aptly, plus helps to fight with blackheads.
However, its ingredients list starts with ethylhexyl palmitate which as we already know is a pore-clogging ingredient. Moreover, it has 79% coconut oil which is really a lot, and unfortunately it is also pore clogging. What’s more, fungal acne really doesn’t like this oil!
I wouldn’t personally use it, despite the fact lots of skin influencers name it as one of the best Korean cleansing balms.
4. Pyunkang Yul Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
Another hyped product is this cleansing balm which melts stubborn makeup and sebum while nourishing the skin with antioxidants and fatty acids.
While it doesn’t have this nasty ethylhexyl palmitate, it has a 2 other ingredients that put me off: phenoxyethanol and fragrance. A big no-no for my sensitive skin.
5. Numbuzin no.3 Pore & Makeup Cleansing Balm
Charcoal and tea tree in this cleanser technically could be nice for acne prone and oily skin, however, it also contains ethylhexyl palmitate and unfortunately it is higher on the list than those beneficial ingredients.
What Is Double Cleansing In Korean Skincare Routine?
The two-step double cleanse method in Korean skincare routine is a sure-shot way to get clean fresh skin. The first step involves cleansing your face with an oil-based product (cleansing oils or cleansing balms) followed by using a water-based cleanser as the second step.
Double Cleansing For Oily Skin
Double cleansing is just as beneficial for oily skin as other skin types because this skin type is more prone to oil build up and blocked pores, which can lead to acne breakout. Since cleansing balms are lipophilic, they attract oil and remove excess sebum, which reduces acne.
Cleansing balms that contain purifying ingredients like charcoal, tea tree oil etc are great for oily skin.
Double Cleansing For Dry Skin
Dry skin can benefit from double cleansing if you do it every alternate day. Doing it every day can leave your skin with dry patches and irritated areas, especially in winter.
It is notable to choose cleansing balms with hydrating ingredients such as shea butter and jojoba seed oil etc to keep the skin hydrated.
Always follow with moisturizers to maintain the skin barrier.
How To Double Cleanse Your Skin?
Here is a step-by-step guide to double-cleanse your skin:
- Scoop out some cleansing balm or cleansing oil with a spatula onto your clean hands.
- Massage the balm in circular motions on your dry face to melt away all makeup, oil, and residual impurities. You’ll notice the solid consistency transforming into a milky oil.
- Add water to emulsify the cleansing oil or balm. Focus extra on the eyes if you’re wearing eye makeup.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Proceed to the second step i.e cleanse your skin with a water based cleanser (e.g a foam cleanser).
- Rinse it off and pat your skin dry.
- Follow up by moisturizing ingredients.
What Is A Cleansing Balm?
A cleansing balm is a makeup remover with buttery consistency that melts into liquid upon contact with skin. It is used for the first step of the double cleansing method.
A cleansing balm, similar to a cleansing oil, repels water and attracts oil, so it is a perfect makeup remover along with other benefits according to skin concern and types.
How Do You Use Cleansing Balm?
- Get some cleansing balm on your palm and rub it in circular motions on your dry face, emulsifying it with water to melt the makeup, sunscreen and all accumulated impurities through the course of the day.
- Rinse it off with tepid water.
- Follow up with water-based cleanser to remove any oil residue.
Do You Use A Cleansing Balm First In Korean Skincare?
Yes, you use a cleansing balm as the first step in Korean skincare. After it, you follow with a water-based cleanser.
Is Cleansing Balm Good For Oily Skin?
Yes, cleansing balm is good for oily skin. This skin type can really benefit from double cleanse as a single cleanse might leave behind impurities that exacerbate acne.
The Benefits Of Using A Cleansing Balm As Your First Cleanse
Here are a few benefits of using a cleansing balm as your first cleanse:- Great for acne: Since cleansing balms are great at removing oil residue and clogged pores, they reduce acne breakouts.
- Great makeup removal: Using a cleansing balm ensures that you’ll get rid of all the stubborn makeup that just won’t come off with micellar water or wipes. It also removes all impurities and dirt that your face has collected throughout the day.
- Good for removing mineral sunscreens: Some mineral sunscreens (e.g. containing titanium dioxide) are hard to remove with a single cleanse , so using a cleansing balm will help dissolve it effectively.
- Better penetration of subsequent products: Using a cleansing balm will help in deeper penetration of active products in your skincare routine.
- Happy hydrated skin: According to the formulation, cleansing balms protect the moisture barrier of the skin without leaving it overly dry.
Difference Between Cleansing Balm And Oil Cleanser
Both balms and liquid oils are oil-based, and the main difference between them is just their consistency: balm (sherbet) vs. liquid. Whichever you choose boils down to your personal preferences.
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.This article contains affiliate links.
All pictures in this article with YouAreBeautie logo belong to YouAreBeautie.com and were taken by the owner of this website. All these images are copyright-protected. Sources of other pictures:
- Pictures of House of Hur Balm belong to House of Hur Brand. Source: https://houseofhur.com/
- Pictures of Aromatica Balm belong to Aromatica Brand. Source: https://en.aromatica.co.kr/
- Pictures of Dr. Althea Pure Grinding belong to Dr. Althea Brand. Source: https://doctoraltheaglobal.com/
- Pictures of BoJ Radiance Balm belong to Beauty Of Joseon Brand. Source: https://beautyofjoseon.com/
- Pictures of Banila Co Clean It Zero Balm belong to Banila Co Brand. Source: https://banilausa.com/
- Pictures of Heimish All Clean Balm belong to Heimish Brand. Source: https://heimish.us/
- Pictures of Numbuzin 3 Balm belong to Numbuzin Brand. Source: https://numbuzinus.com/
- Pictures of Pyunkang Yul Balm belong to Pyunkang Yul Brand. Source: https://pyunkangyul.us/
