The secret to radiant and healthy skin? Cleansing balms. Finding the right skincare products that work for your skin is essential, and you may just need a cleansing balm to not only completely remove the makeup from your skin, but also to balance the oil and water levels in your dermis. Cleansing balms are amazing at dissolving makeup, impurities, and any pollutant that’s left on the skin, and living in the hustle and bustle of Singapore can contribute to having unhealthy skin, which is why cleansing is an essential step in your skincare routine.

How Do Cleansing Balms Work?

Cleansing balms often have a formula made of oils, waxes, and emulsifiers, and are typically in a solid or semi-solid texture. When it comes into contact with the warmth of your skin, it melts into the skin, making it really easy to glide across the skin and get to any hard to reach areas, like the corners of the nose.

When the cleansing balm is massaged into the skin, it interacts and emulsifies with water. This then breaks down excess sebum, impurities, environmental pollutants, and makeup, even waterproof formulas! All you have to do then is to rinse it away, and you’ll see it turn milky. Cleansing balms are generally considered very gentle, and won’t strip your skin of its natural oils or disrupt the moisture barrier. So although your skin will feel squeaky clean, it won’t feel tight.

Best Cleansing Balms in Singapore

1. Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balms

One of the most highly-rated and well-known cleansing balms ever, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is what dreams are made of. It’s extremely efficient at dissolving makeup, dirt, and excess oil from the skin, and will leave your skin feeling clean yet nourished. This makeup remover is formulated with Padina Pavonica, which has anti-ageing properties, Elderberry Oil to firm and plump the skin, as well as Starflower Oil to maintain the level of moisture in the skin. It has a wonderful calming aroma, and will leave you feeling like you’re getting a facial at a spa.

Why we love it:

  • Has a soothing scent of lavender and chamomile
  • Can be used as an intensive and relaxing mask
  • Hydrates the skin

Price: $76.50

Where to buy: LookFantastic SG

2. Pharmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm

Another extremely highly-rated product, the Pharmacy Green Clean is in the skincare routine of every ‘clean girl’. This award winning beauty balm is infused with Sunflower Oil and Ginger Root Oil to effectively remove makeup without stripping the skin, and it even contains Papaya Extract to gently exfoliate, leaving the skin clean and soft. It’s free from synthetic fragrances but still smells like a dream, free from mineral oil, in addition to being free from phthalates. The jar is completely recyclable, and the product itself is cruelty-free, too!

Why we love it:

  • Cruelty-free
  • Clean beauty
  • Has a refreshing scent of lime, bergamot, and orange

Price: From $42

Where to buy: Sephora

3. Skin Proud Face Melt Gentle Hydrating Cleansing Balm

With its powerful concoction of Hyaluronic Acid and a multitude of nourishing oils, it’s no wonder that the Skin Proud Face Melt Gentle Hydrating Cleansing Balm is so good at not only removing makeup, but nourishing the skin, too. This beauty balm has a unique sorbet-like texture, and will instantly turn from balm to oil as soon as you massage it into your skin. It’s incredibly hydrating, and will leave your feeling clean and supple, but not tight. And at only $14.50 for 70g, it’s definitely worth the price.

Why we love it:

  • Dermatologically-tested
  • Affordable
  • Perfect for dry or sensitive skin

Price: $14.50

Where to buy: Beauty Bay

4. Clinique Take the Day Off™  Cleansing Balm

We just can’t talk about cleansing balms without mentioning the Clinique Take the Day Off™  Cleansing Balm! Definitely one of the best cleansing balms on the market, this balm is non-greasy, non-drying, and perfect for all skin types. It’s so good at dissolving makeup, and your skin will feel refreshed like never before. When applied, it transforms from a solid balm to a silky oil that feels super luxurious, and dissolves even the most stubborn mascara and lip tints.

Why we love it:

  • Fragrance-free
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Doesn’t feel greasy

Price: $61

Where to buy: iShopChangi

5. Banila Co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm

You probably recognise the iconic pink hue of the jar, but did you know that they actually have five other versions of it that cater to specific skin concerns? Apart from Original, there’s also Nourishing, Pore Clarifying, Vita-Pumpkin, Revitalising, and Purifying! Whatever skin concern you may have, Banila Co. has a cleansing balm for that. All of the cleansing balms gently dissolve the makeup without irritating the skin, and it even helps to maintain the natural health of the skin barrier.

Why we love it:

  • Has six types for different skin types concerns
  • Non-irritating or drying
  • Helps to maintain the skin barrier

Price: $22.15

Where to buy: Lazada

6. heimish All Clean Balm

If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, this is for you. The All Clean Balm by heimish is an intensive cleansing balm that melts into your skin and effectively gets rid of any makeup and impurities. It has a really convenient packaging that makes it super easy to travel around with, and it even comes with a tiny spatula to scoop out the product. Not only that, it has a faint smell of shea butter and coconut, but it’s gentle enough to be used on even sensitive skin. This product melts from a balm texture to an oil, and when it comes into contact with water, it transforms into a milk that will leave your skin feeling squeaky clean but not tight. Definitely one of our favourite cleansing balms, this should be in everybody’s skincare routine.

Why we love it:

  • Cruelty-free
  • Vegan
  • Dermatologist-tested

Price: From $27.97

Where to buy: Shopee

7. Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm

You may know Beauty of Joseon for their cult-favourite Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics Sunscreen or their ever popular serums, but we think that their Radiance Cleansing Balm is one of their most underrated products. It gently cleanses the skin of makeup, impurities, and excess sebum, but doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils. This cleansing balm transform into an oil, and is formulated with rice bran and various rice extracts to keep your skin at its optimum moisture levels. Just a little bit of this goes a long way, making it really economical. And at only $24.90, who can say no?

Why we love it:

  • Gentle
  • Hydrates the skin
  • Suitable for all skin types, including dry and sensitive skin

Price: $24.90

Where to buy: Zalora SG

8. Pyunkang Yul Deep Clear Cleansing Balm

Pyunkang Yul’s Deep Clear Cleansing Balm offers a revolutionary solution for tired skin, effortlessly soothing and cleansing to leave your skin feeling revitalised after a long day. Formulated with nourishing ingredients such as rice bran, sunflower seed oils, and macadamia seed, it helps your skin feel moisturised, while calming ingredients like tea tree and centella asiatica restore balance. 

Additionally, green tea seed oil and rice bran oil moisturise the skin while controlling sebum production. Enhanced with ceramide and panthenol, it improves the skin’s barrier, providing long-lasting moisture. Experience all-in-one cleansing with a gentle, milky balm that dissolves upon contact with water; Pyunkang Yul’s cleansing balm offers convenience and rejuvenation with every use.

Why we love it:

  • Deeply cleanses whilst moisturising the skin
  • Regulates sebum and moisture
  • Softly melts all residues

Price: $18.99

Where to buy: Pyungkang Yul’s Shopee Official Store

9. Numbuzin’s No.3 Pore & Make-Up Cleansing Balm

Experience the transformational power of Numbuzin’s No.3 Pore & Make-Up Cleansing Balm, which contains a blend of green tea and charcoal for an unrivalled cleansing experience. This balm is a game changer for sensitive skin types, providing gentle but effective cleansing without stripping moisture.

This 2-in-1 cleansing balm not only eliminates impurities but also helps to shrink pores, revealing a smoother, brighter face. As it is infused with green tea-derived components and charcoal powder, it provides  refreshing, antibacterial characteristics and a moisturising finish that revitalises your skin with each application. Dermatologically tested and ideal for travel, this balm is a mess-free alternative to oils, with a light, silky texture and a delicate aroma that rapidly evaporates, leaving only the pure goodness of clean, glowing skin.

Why we love it:

  • Removes makeup thoroughly
  • Dermatologically-tested
  • Simultaneously removes skin impurities and shrinks pores 

Price: $24

Where to buy: cocomo

10. Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm

Glow Recipe’s Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm promises to shake up your skincare routine in the best way. This balm, formulated with natural papaya enzymes, softly exfoliates and removes makeup, grime, and oil, leaving your skin baby-soft and luminous. This PEG-free product is ideal for combination, dry, normal, and oily skin types, as well as those concerned with dryness and dullness. 

It melts away impurities and infuses the skin with antioxidant-rich blueberry extract and soothing apricot kernel oil. The star ingredient: papaya seed oil, which is high in fatty acids and vitamin C, moisturises the skin, while the vibrant orange colour gives a fun touch to your beauty routine. With promises of being fragrance-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free, it provides a clean and environmentally friendly solution for individuals looking for a cleansing experience with visible effects.

Why we love it:

  • Gently smooths, resurfaces, and soothes the skin
  • Helps to keep skin hydrated
  • Protects skin against environmental stressors

Price: $52

Where to buy: Sephora

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