6 Cleansing Balm Benefits You'll Love for Your Skin

Makeup, sunscreen, and pollution can accumulate on the skin, entering pores and contributing to a dull complexion. To remove all these residues and reveal clean skin and a fresh face, a cleansing balm might be just the thing.

With the right formula (like Rael's clean-ingredient, dermatologist-tested cleansing balm), you can get rid of everything from long-wear foundation and waterproof mascara to mineral SPF, dirt, and sweat.

How does this multitasking solution work, and why should you use it? Read on for a rundown of the many benefits of cleansing balms and why our formula stands out from the rest.

How Does Cleansing Balm Work? 

Cleansing balm is a semi-solid, oil-based cleanser. The thick yet smooth and creamy texture melts into a liquid oil with the warmth of your skin. When you massage it into your skin, it draws out oil-soluble substances, like makeup, sunscreen, and greasy residues. Then, when you mix it with a small amount of water and keep massaging it, the oil transforms into a milky fluid that can be rinsed away.¹ This first oil-based step is often used as part of a double cleansing routine for a deeper clean, helping to effectively remove grime and makeup from the skin.

6 Cleansing Balm Benefits for Skin

Here's why you might want to use a cleansing balm in your beauty routine.

#1 Thoroughly Removes Makeup and Impurities

An oil-based formula helps dissolve oil-soluble substances, breaking down things like waterproof mascara, tinted moisturizer, mineral SPF, and waxy eyeliner.² In contrast, water-based cleansers (like gels, foams, or our exfoliating cleanser) are better for removing water-soluble products.³ This makes cleansing balm a great addition to in makeup cleansing regimen.

#2 Refines Pores and Helps Skin Feel Balanced

A good cleansing balm can help skin feel balanced by melting away buildup, removing impurities (e.g., makeup, dirt, or excess oil), without over-drying. This can help refine the look of pores. A cleansing balm is a good option for combination skin or blemish-prone complexions.⁴

#3 Boosts Hydration With Nourishing Oils

This type of skin cleanser helps deliver moisture and supports the skin barrier with plant-derived oils, emollients, and conditioning agents without leaving you feeling greasy or looking shiny.

#4 Brightens Dull, Tired-Looking Skin

Formulas containing antioxidants (think vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide) can help brighten the look of dull, tired-looking skin and leave you feeling refreshed and radiant.⁵

#5 Helps Skin Look Smoother and Refreshed

By delivering moisture and antioxidants and preventing over-drying, cleansing balm can help cleanse skin for a fresh, comfortable feel.⁶

#6 Suitable for Sensitive Skin

A carefully formulated cleansing balm can play well with sensitive skin. To avoid a reaction, look for a product with ingredients that help soothe the look of redness. Ideally, it'll be pH-balanced, meaning the acidity is similar to human skin, so it doesn't disrupt your skin's protective acid mantle.⁷

Why Choose Rael's Cleansing Balm Over Others?

Rael's dermatologist-tested cleansing balm is designed to effectively cleanse your skin. We formulated it with plant-derived ingredients to deliver multiple benefits without irritation.

Jojoba and tamanu oils melt away makeup and cleanse skin while helps deliver nourishing moisture.^8,9 Rice bran oil helps soften the skin while working to clear away buildup and grime.¹⁰ Beyond gentle, non-comedogenic oils, our cleansing balm contains antioxidants and soothing botanical extracts, like cherry blossom, vitamin E, and heartleaf, to reduce the look of redness and boost radiance.^11,12,13 Knowing how to use a cleanser and how to double cleanse ensures your routine is thorough and effective.

Clinically Proven Results You Can See

Our Miracle Clear Purifying Twist Up Cleansing Balm is clinically proven to remove 97% of long-wear foundation, waterproof mascara, and mineral sunscreen in a single use while reducing excess oil and boosting hydration (based on a clinical study with 40 participants).

Give Your Skin the Benefits It Deserves

With so many benefits and the versatility to complement different skin types, adding a cleansing balm to your skincare routine is a wise choice. This product is more than a makeup remover—it's a skincare powerhouse.

For healthier-looking, glowing skin, explore face cleansers and other clean skincare products from Rael.

 

Sources: 

1. Pramesty SA, et al. "Formulation and Physical Quality Testing of Cleansing Balm from Centella Asiatica (L.) URB. Extract with Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis L.) as a Makeup Remover." Advances in Healthcare Research, Aug. 2025, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/394652009. Accessed on September 30, 2025.
2. Kim JE, et al. "The Effects of Cleansing oil on Skin by preferred Vegetable Base oil. Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society, 2019, https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Effects-of-Cleansing-oil-on-Skin-by-preferred-Kim-Lee/17192466daca57caa1e585f098db3b1cbe29216b. Accessed on September 30, 2025.
3. Im SH, et al. "A Study on Skin Conditions by Water-Soluble Cleansers." Asian Journal of Beauty and Cosmetology, 2010, https://e-ajbc.org/journal/view.php?number=614. Accessed on September 30, 2025.
4. Mukhopadhyay P. "Cleansers and Their Role in Various Dermatological Disorders." Indian Journal of Dermatology, Feb. 2011, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3088928/. Accessed on September 30, 2025.
5. Juturu V, et al. "Overall skin tone and skin-lightening-improving effects with oral supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin isomers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial." Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 7 Oct. 2016, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5063591/. Accessed September 30, 2025.
6. Walters RM, et al. "Cleansing Formulations That Respect Skin Barrier Integrity." Dermatology Research and Practice, 13 Aug. 2012, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3425021/. Accessed on September 30, 2025.
7. Janssens-Böcker C, et al. "Influence of Cosmetic Skincare Products with pH < 5 on the Skin Microbiome: A Randomized Clinical Evaluation." Dermatology and Therapy, 21 Dec. 2024, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-024-01321-x. Accessed September 30, 2025.
8. Gad HA, et al. "Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity." Polymers (Basel), 24 May 2021, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8197201/. Accessed on September 30, 2025.
9. Pribowo A, et al. "Potential of Tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum) Oil for Atopic Dermatitis Treatment." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 26 Dec. 2021, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8782620/. Accessed on September 30, 2025.
10. Chaikul P, et al. "Anti-skin ageing activities of rice (Oryza sativa) bran soft and hard waxes in cultured skin cells." International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Apr. 2024, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37840342/. Accessed on September 30, 2025.
11. Park S, et al. "Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Medicinal Herb Extract Mixture, HM-V, on an Animal Model of DNCB-Induced Chronic Skin Inflammation." Plants (Basel), 28 Jul. 2021, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8400547/. Accessed on September 30, 2025.
12. Zhang YQ, et al. "The anti-inflammatory effect of cherry blossom extract (Prunus yedoensis) used in soothing skincare product." International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Dec. 2014, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25065693/. Accessed on September 30, 2025.
13. Keen MA, et al. "Vitamin E in dermatology." Indian Dermatology Online Journal, Aug. 2016, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4976416/. Accessed on September 30, 2025.
14. Danby SG, et al. "Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: implications for neonatal skincare." Pediatric Dermatology, 20 Sep. 2012, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22995032/. Accessed on September 30, 2025.