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. That being said, as someone with sensitive, oily & acne-prone skin I’m very selective with skincare. Nourishing and moisturizing ingredients are key for cleansing balms. Jojoba oil, argan oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, and grape seed oil are some of makeup artist Zanialis' favorite base ingredients in cleansing balms. Dr. Mislankar agrees that jojoba oil is a great ingredient to seek out, along with ceramides, glycerin, and linoeic acid. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

The stand out (so far) is the cleansing balm with only ten ingredients but delivers a perfect cleanse. Juno is founded in California and is 100% focussed on Gen Z (approx up to age 25) hence a big TikTok presence and a collaboration with Spongebob Squarepants (waitlist of 63K apparently) that put them in front of the eyes of their target audience. It’s been growth ever since and can only be a matter of time before its ready for sale. Juno Skin Review Though we adored the consistency of this popular cleansing balm, we found that it left those with dry and combo skin feeling a bit dry and stripped. The JUNOCO Cleansing Balm is a unique oil-based cleanser curated for all skin types to dissolve makeup effortlessly. It’s developed to remove even waterproof makeup and perform multiple tasks.

“They wanted to create ‘luxury-quality’ skincare that was transparent, interesting and accesibles.”

The cleansing balm only has 10 ingredients but heavily depends on its star ingredient, Japanese Barley Magic. This particular ingredient is a source of vitamins and antioxidants to help regulate the skin’s melanin production.

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.

Expect our products to be environmentally conscious: microplastic-free and FSC certified packaging.

Our tester reports having very dry skin — "I haven't tried many cleansers that don't leave me feeling stripped and dry (yes, even cleansing balms)" — but this one left her feeling soft with “some of the most minimal drying that I've ever experienced." She's dubbed herself a huge fan. One of the coolest things about cleansing balms is how the consistency changes from the container to the palm of your hand. Our overall winner starts with a firm consistency when it's initially scooped out, but once rubbed into the skin, it becomes smooth and milky, and it practically melts away makeup in less than a minute.

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. Before ditching your tried-and-true makeup, though, consider switching up your skincare routine to include a cleansing balm. After all, these cleansers are top-tier when it comes to removing long-lasting makeup. I personally like to use this cleansing balm as the first step in my double cleansing routine. I grab a lightweight cleanser, like the Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser by The Inkey List, or my Makeup Eraser Cloth to really remove every bit of residue that’s left, which is basically nothing thanks to the balm. I love to use this just to remove everything from my face after I use the JUNOCO Cleansing Balm (more like a cloth), but I also like to use it in combination with the Cleansing Balm. Both ways are perfect for helping you remove all the residue on your face.

THANKS

If you love the ritual of a double cleanse and want to add a cleansing balm to your routine, look no further than the Wander Beauty B.O.M Voyage Cleansing Balm. Designed with a texture similar to petroleum jelly, the balm emulsifies effortlessly into skin to remove all non-waterproof makeup and sunscreen. “The texture makes it easier to rub around the eyes, but it didn’t remove my waterproof mascara,” admits our tester. Though she wasn’t able to double cleanse during the test, she thinks this product would be the perfect first step to any cleansing routine because it left her skin feeling extremely soft. “This would work great as part of a team of products, but individually, I think you could find better out there.”

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. After researching highly-rated options, we selected nearly two dozen to take home and use over the course of two weeks. Once we read the manufacturer's instructions, we used the products as directed to remove makeup, SPF, and dirt at the end of the day. For the purpose of this test, we did not follow up with another cleanser as part of a double cleansing routine, although this is often recommended. After using their cleansing balm, each tester evaluated and rated it based on consistency, oiliness, hydration, cleansing ability, and appearance, and those that scored highest appear on this list. Leave it to Alicia Keys to know what it takes for a cleansing balm to really deliver. Her Keys Soulcare Nourishing Cleansing Balm is a fan favorite for its silky-smooth consistency that instantly melts away makeup without any harsh rubbing or tugging.I was surprised by how smooth my skin felt after using this cleansing balm — usually I feel a little dry [post-cleansing],” says our tester, noting how it seamlessly washes away waterproof makeup and sunscreen alike. “I think it's due to the abundance of oils in the formula.” This product is quite dense at first, so you’ll need to spend some time massaging it between your hands before using.