Best Korean Cleansing Balms for Melting Off Makeup

Waterproof sunscreen after a day at the beach is the real test for any cleanser. Foam just smears it around. A good Korean cleansing balm, on the other hand, starts solid, melts into oil on dry skin, and turns milky when you add water, and the sunscreen goes with it.

These six all work the same basic way: scoop, massage on with dry hands, add a little water, rinse. Where they differ is texture, packaging and the little extras, so that's mostly what I'll talk about.

The tiny jar I started with

All Clean Hydrating Cleansing Balm (50ml) by HEIMISH at Baerry — All Clean Hydrating Cleansing Balm (50ml)

The HEIMISH All Clean Hydrating Cleansing Balm is a 50ml jar with a mini spatula tucked inside, which is a nice size if you're not sure balms are for you yet. It goes balm, then oil, then milk as you work it in.

It handles waterproof makeup and dirt, and Heimish says it helps with blackheads too. What sold me is that it doesn't sting when it creeps into my eyes. It's vegan and hypoallergenic, and the brand describes it as suitable for acne-prone skin and for pregnant women.

Same idea, but orange

All Clean Balm Mandarin (50ml) by HEIMISH at Baerry — All Clean Balm Mandarin (50ml)

My coworker spotted the HEIMISH All Clean Balm Mandarin on my desk and assumed it was a snack. Fair enough, it's a bright sherbet-looking balm.

It melts into oil quickly and is especially good at dark lip and eye makeup, the stuff that usually leaves a ghost on your cotton pad. Like the original, it's low-irritation, vegan and made not to hurt if it gets in your eyes. I keep this one for heavier makeup days.

A lid you can't lose

Green Tea Pure Cleansing Balm (100ml) by YADAH at Baerry — Green Tea Pure Cleansing Balm (100ml)

Small thing, but I have lost so many jar lids behind the toilet. The YADAH Green Tea Pure Cleansing Balm has a one-touch lid that stays attached to the container, so that's over.

The balm itself is sherbet-like and turns to oil as soon as it hits skin. It takes off waterproof makeup and sunscreen without leaving my face tight, and skin feels soft after. YADAH recommends following up with a water-based cleanser, which is how I use it anyway.

Warm, on a cold bathroom morning

Kaamos Black Salt Warm Steam Cleansing Balm (100g) by Torhop at Baerry — Kaamos Black Salt Warm Steam Cleansing Balm (100g)

My bathroom has no heater and in winter it's miserable. The Torhop Kaamos Black Salt Warm Steam Cleansing Balm gives off a mild warmth as you massage it in, which on a freezing morning feels very nice.

It's a balm-to-gel formula with an oil-gel texture, and the warmth is meant to help open clogged pores while you cleanse. Spread it over your whole face with dry hands, wait until the makeup melts, then emulsify with a little water. It rinses off without residue and leaves skin fresh.

No fingers in the jar

Charcoal Melting Cleansing Balm (100ml) by Barle at Baerry — Charcoal Melting Cleansing Balm (100ml)

The Barle Charcoal Melting Cleansing Balm comes in a twist-up grinder. You twist the middle and the balm comes out, so nobody (me, after the gym, with questionable hands) is digging into it.

It has bamboo charcoal extract to help clear impurities on the surface and in pores, and a melty sherbet feel. Roll it over dry skin for a minute or two, then add water. It's been through a low-irritation test for sensitive skin.

The tangerine one, if your tone looks uneven

Green Tangerine Vita C Toning Cleansing Balm (110ml) by Goodal at Baerry — Green Tangerine Vita C Toning Cleansing Balm (110ml)

The Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Toning Cleansing Balm is the biggest jar here at 110ml. It removes stubborn makeup, dirt and excess oil, and Goodal says it also helps even out skin tone for a more radiant look.

The ingredient list is long and very plant-heavy, with corn germ and olive oil plus a pile of fruit extracts like grape, apple and papaya. It's described as mild, with hypoallergenic calming ingredients. I reach for it when my skin looks a bit flat and grey.

Whichever one you pick, follow it with a gentle second cleanser. My double cleansing post covers that part, and there's a guide to the best Korean cleanser for every skin type too. Or just browse Baerry's cleansing balms.

FAQ

Do I need a second cleanser after a cleansing balm?

If you're wearing makeup or sunscreen, a second gentle cleanser is a classic double cleanse. On bare-skin days, a good balm that you emulsify and rinse thoroughly can be enough. Some balms, like the Beplain Mung Bean balm, are designed so you don't need a second wash.

Should I use a cleansing balm on wet or dry skin?

Dry skin and dry hands. Scoop out a little balm, massage it over your face, then add a splash of water to emulsify it into a milky texture and rinse with lukewarm water.

Are cleansing balms good for sensitive skin?

Many are. The Heimish All Clean Balm is described as suitable for sensitive skin and gentle around the eyes, which makes it an easy first balm.

Written by Hyerin Park

Hyerin has always loved shopping—fashion, beauty, and pretty much anything worth adding to cart. Since starting Baerry, that habit has turned into testing dozens of new beauty products that land on the team’s desks in Seoul, plus plenty she buys herself. An ISTJ with a very high bar for what makes the cut, she treats her own face as the testing ground before recommending anything.