Effectiveness aside, this cleansing balm comes in a tube, which makes it convenient for daily use as well as during travel. You don’t need a little spatula to scoop it out — just squeeze and go.

This post is sponsored by JUNOCO (formerly Juno & Co). All of the following thoughts and photos are my own! That’s when I start to apply it around my face and eyes softly. My eye area is very sensitive, but I can use this cleansing balm on and around my eyes without any problem. I never noticed irritation, stinginess, or tight skin in general. Key ingredients: Vitamin E (antioxidant), bamboo leaf extract (moisturizing), ethylhexyl palmitate (emollient)

Even waterproof, smudge-proof graphic eyeliner didn't stand a chance against the Keys Soulcare Nourishing Cleansing Balm. Sunscreen and makeup were removed easily with minimal resistance after a few rubs. The end result is a clean, hydrated, and glow-y feel. "It's soft, luxurious, and takes off makeup so easily that I barely had to rub," says our tester. While it might be a bit pricey for its size, we believe it is well worth it. Our tester raved that this popular cleansing balm "lives up to the hype". We found it easy to work across the skin, particularly as the consistency changed from balm to oil to cleansing milk for an enjoyable sensorial experience that effectively cleansed the skin as well. Due to nourishing oils like elderberry, sweet almond, and starflower, this balm cleanser helped keep our skin feeling soft and not stripped whatsoever. Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm is a step above for a few reasons: For starters, it comes in a squeeze tube, which makes it more convenient than most of the other cleansing balms on this list. Additionally, it’s fragrance-free, so it’s very gentle, making it great for all skin types, but especially those that are more sensitive/reactive. Though our tester didn’t have the best experience, we felt it was important to mention it because many of our editors swear by this balm and think it’s still a stellar option. I get it: Cleansing balms can be messy and sometimes require some elbow grease to remove. But not this best-selling one from Farmacy. All you need is a splash of water to completely emulsify it into a milky cleanser that can break down layers of sunscreen and makeup, even waterproof. If your eyes are sensitive, though, make sure to avoid massaging it into your lashes and opt instead for micellar water.

Our tester double-cleanses on a daily basis, even after wearing face sunscreen only. However, the Elemis balm did a great job of breaking down sunscreen and even waterproof makeup with ease on its own. As a result, we're giving this the award for Best for Eye Makeup as it completely melted away even stubborn waterproof mascara.

If you’re just looking for a simple cleansing balm that’ll remove your makeup and cost less than your lunch, grab this one from Elf at pretty much any drugstore. It’ll d issolve your makeup and soften your skin (‘sup, ceramides, and sunflower seed oil) at the same time, and it even comes with its own spatula to make digging into the jar a bit easier and more sanitary.

Use the flannelto wipe away the balm in gentle sweeping motions. If you’ve been wearing makeup, you may need to resoak and repeat this step. The reason cleansing balms work so well for all skin types is that they're formulated with lipophilic oils. “That means they are attracted to other oils and can dissolve them,” explains Karen Hammerman, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Garden City, New York. As effective as these oils are at ridding the skin of excess sebum, Dr. Hammerman says that there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for a high-quality cleansing balm. While many people prefer to double-cleanse (using a cleanser following a balm), this product is effective enough to be used alone if desired. After use, the skin looks not only clean and free of makeup but also has a a nice sheen to it. Our only complaint: we wish it came in a larger size, as we can see ourselves reaching for this product every single day, whether we're wearing makeup or not. This JUNOCO Cleansing Cookie is SO soft! It feels amazing on the skin and is not irritating at all. My skin became the smoothest, clearest, and softest it has ever been when I incorporated a cleansing balm into my skincare routine. Cleansing oils or balms are commonly used as the first part of a two-step K-beauty process called double-cleansin g—i.e., my favorite way to thoroughly clean my face. And, as a daily wearer of waterproof eyeliner, cream eyeshadow, and lip stains, I need a heavy-duty makeup remover to get my face clean, which is where my favorite cleansing balms come in.This balm from Naturium, whose purple color is a nod to the hero ingredient, purple ginseng, melts smoothly and beautifully across the skin. While our tester has naturally oily skin and was wary of using what immediately felt to be an oily cleanser, she found that it melted beautifully into her skin and left it feeling plump and "happy." She did, however, notice a bit of residue that needed to be washed away with a double-cleanse. Makeup and grime easily melted away, though some waterproof mascara remained and needed a separate eye makeup remover to fully get off. "I've used other cleansers before that do take off the same mascara without fail. However, I would use this balm before those because of how well it [moisturizes]," our tester says. Ever since testing it, she’s been using it every day as a new go-to (though, she prefers to use it with another cleanser because she prefers a double cleanse to ensure her skin is as clean as possible). Need we say more? Now, if you’re like me, hearing the words “cleansing” and “balm” together might seem odd. But trust me when I say it’s a game-changer for your skin routine! For this story, she evaluated the testing insights from our testers, who tried 30 cleansing balms during a two-week period. She also sought expertise from Mona Mislankar, MD, FAAD, a board certified dermatologist and co-founder of Oath MD, celebrity makeup artist Kristine Studden, and L.A.-based makeup artist and content creator Ourfa Zinali.