10 Best Cleansing Balms 2024 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed

This product had to take our number one spot because it's what we have on our own shelves at home! It's basically a bargain version of the Neal's Yard Remedies offering - for less than half the price, you get an organic balm that smells like fruit, sweets, and self-love in a plastic-free tub. UpCircle has cracked the affordable cleansing code!

With six oils, ranging from the standard sunflower, olive, and sesame to the more rare blackcurrant and sea buckthorn, this is a highly effective makeup remover that requires minimal scrubbing. Apricot powder helps with exfoliation too while vitamin E keeps cell-turnover high and skin looking young. Organic, vegan, and glorious!

There really is no other cleansing balm like this stunning one by Neal's Yard Remedies. It's reached legendary status thanks to its unrivalled aroma and its truly amazing effects on the skin. While it will set you back £40, we think this long-lasting, exquisitely scented balm is a worthwhile investment. 

Overflowing with organic leaf and flower oils including geranium, starflower, hemp and rosemary seed, as well as a healthy dose of shea butter, this balm smooths over all skin types like a total dream and leaves your complexion feeling seriously nourished. The cruelty-free credentials are a brilliant bonus too!

Coming in at number three is this gorgeous organic balm from independent cosmetics brand Lulu and Boo. It uses a blend of fruit, nut, and leaf oils as well as beeswax to draw dirt and sweat away from the skin. The rosemary extract and ylang-ylang oil also add a lovely fragrance that isn't too overpowering. 

Whether you want to combat dryness or signs of ageing, or you simply want to pamper your face with something decadent, this silky balm will certainly do the trick! Best of all, 99% of the ingredients are organic and sustainably sourced.

Luxury in nature, this balm includes a multitude of great ingredients including moringa seed extract, wild sea fennel and vitamin E which help all rehydrate and minimise the appearance of pores. Your skin will be left feeling deeply conditioned and cleansed thanks to the inclusion of essential oils such as orange, jasmine and rose. 

The ingredients themselves are not the only thing which makes this balm worth the money, the addition of the dual-action professional cleansing cloth will help to exfoliate and polish the skin. It is no wonder that this product is one of the best on the market currently!

We absolutely adore this product - for under a fiver, you get at least a month's worth of use and the twist-up container is incredibly practical. Not only does it help you control the amount of the product you use, but it also makes this dreamily-scented cleanser ideal for holidays and weekends away. 

The inclusion of one of the less rarefied oils - olive - is what keeps this product's price tag so affordable. Don't let that fool you into thinking it's not effective though; this is a product that feels lovely against the skin while cutting through makeup and grime like a charm. It's cruelty-free and vegan too, which we obviously love!

The Inkey List has become a fast favourite of many respected beauty writers since its humble beginnings in 2018. The brand prides itself on transparency and the shared journey between producer and consumer towards better skin. If you have sensitive skin with red patches, this product is a fab first step for your complexion-calming routine.

The key ingredients in this balm are hydrating oat kernel oil and sweet almond oil, while colloidal oatmeal soothes irritated skin. Overall, this cruelty-free balm has gorgeous results, leaving your face soft and wonderfully clean.

This balm from Versed is not only affordable but will save you having to constantly purchase single-use cleansing wipes. Perfect to use both day and night, this vitamin E-infused balm with its milk-like texture will help get rid of any impurities without stripping moisture. 

Being free from parabens and silicones as well as being vegan and cruelty-free means this a great choice for a variety of skin types and users. So if you are wanting a cleanser which will soften and make your skin look healthier, this is the one for you!

This is another fantastic product with rave reviews from all who use it. It's true that it cuts through even thick layers of foundation and heavy mascara, leaving your skin super clean and deeply nourished without feeling sticky or heavy. Many users say that they even forget to moisturise after using it, as it's so hydrating!

Safflower seed oil is non-comedogenic, while capric triglyceride is a non-greasy lubricant that encourages plumpness - both are used in this cleansing balm to great effect! The lack of organically grown ingredients and the fact this product isn't cruelty-free are sadly what keep this product from ranking higher.

This collagen-rich balm is hugely popular with online reviewers; it's racked up thousands of 4- and 5-star ratings on Amazon! The formula combines two kinds of flower wax with fruit oils, as well as Elemis' own Omega oil blend Optimega™.

The key selling point of this product is probably its anti-ageing benefits. Inside, you'll find padina pavonica, which acts as a humectant and turns your skin cells into mini moisture magnets. Sadly the ingredients aren't organic, nor is the production process cruelty-free, which is why we haven't ranked this balm higher.

This product is the O.G. of cleansing balms! Facialist and beauty expert Eve Lom created this balm with cleanliness and hydration in mind. There are three key oils in this formula: fragrant clove, anti-bacterial eucalyptus, and soothing chamomile. It has the added benefit of hops too, which fights free radicals and reduces inflammation.

While this product is a true icon in the world of cleansers, it ranks low because the price tag means it won't be suitable for everyone. In addition, Eve Lom products are tested on animals and the ingredients aren't organically farmed. Nonetheless, this tempting tub is beloved by beauty bloggers worldwide for a reason!