Cleansing balm alone?

[brannewbich]

I am 50+ and in the last 6 months or so my skin has gone from combination to dry. I now find that most cleansers feel like they strip my skin of moisture. I recently discovered cleansing balms and love how they make my skin feel hydrated but do they actually cleanse your skin or do they just melt away makeup? I've been told that it should be used with a cleanser. So hoping someone can clear this up for me. 🤷‍♀️

[makeupjunkie65]

I have dry sensitive skin and LOVE a balm! My favorite is #drunk Elephant Slaai the day cleansing balm!! Limited ingredients. Very effective in removing makeup and sunscreen in one cleanse. Very gentle only skin.

[tg1973]

If you haven't tried it already, I highly recommend CeraVe hydrating cleanser. It's honestly like a lotion that cleans. If you don't want to buy a full bottle, it's often available in the travel-sized section of drugstores. It's super basic, but ain't nothing wrong with basic when it works!

[Chris38]

The same properties that a product needs to remove dirt, makeup, and excess oils well are the same properties that can cause irritation and dryness. A cleansing balm is milder on your skin, but it can work as an effective cleanser, too. However, if you using makeup, it might not be sufficient. A cleansing oil might be a good option for you, as you’re now prone to dryness. Another thing to consider is whether your water has changed. Get it tested for hardness. If you live somewhere prone toflooding with lots of surface water, sometimes more treatment is done to counter the contamination; it’s safe to drink, but harder on your skin.

[tg1973]

The balms don't really wash clean, as they are based on some kind of oil or wax product to get them solid and remove your makeup. I've never tried one that left my skin feeling quite clean, but I have large pores that are easily clogged. That being said, some women are perfectly happy using cold cream (which is basically cleansing balm that gets wiped off, not rinsed) and stick to it their entire lives. According to that lady In the Albolene commercial, it's the secret to her ageless skin. Since mineral oil isn't much of a secret, I assume they have really dry skin! It's a matter of taste, but any balm that claims to not need further cleansing gets immediate side eye from me.

[GG84]

@brannewbich 

When I’ve used cleansing balms, I’ve always double cleansed. I’m not a huge fan of double cleansing so I stay away from cleansing balms.