Makeup Removal Is A Breeze With These Game-Changing Homegrown Cleansing Balms

Skincare in India has come a long way in the last two decades. We’ve collectively given up on overly drying face washes and wiping down our skin with alcohol-based wipes and astringents. We’ve rarely heard the product being mentioned by beauty experts in recent times, and rightfully so. The growing popularity of Korean Beauty trends as well as the availability of better information about healthier skin care practices have led to better products entering the market. 

Cleansing balms are buttery, oil-based cleansers that will melt away your makeup; yes, even the toughest of mascara, remnants of your sunscreen or any other grime you may have accumulated through your day outside. They are a great alternative to single-use wipes (which are bad for the environment), or foaming face washes or micellar water that strip your skin of essential moisture. 

The following are some homegrown cleansing balms that are excellent at getting the job done and more. 

I. FAE Face Mop

A brand that began in 2019 to provide inclusive, conscious makeup has grown over the years to include a dedicated skincare line. FAE Skin, the skincare range from FAE includes everything from sunscreen to a nourishing moisturiser. This cleansing balm claims to wipe away makeup, dirt and/or sunscreen in just one wash. The formula melts from a buttery balm to luxurious oil and then into a milk that works great as the first step in a nighttime skincare routine. The Fae team suggests following up on the Face Mop with their No BS Cleanser. 

Face Mop is gentle and non-stripping on the skin and is dermatologically tested and suitable for all skin types and tones. In addition to the presence of gentle surfactants and emulsifiers in Face Mop that melts away the harshest of waterproof makeup, it also contains AHAs such as Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid, and Malic Acid, for exfoliating the skin, lifting off dead skin cells and promoting a more radiant, fresher-looking complexion. Face Mop comes in a convenient tube that makes it easier to dispense the recommended marble-sized amount, as well as to carry on the go. 

You can buy it here.

II. Earth Rhythm Propolis Cleansing Balm

While Earth Rhythm has a whole range of products and several cleansing balm variants as well, their Propolis Cleansing Balm is a beauty expert favourite. Containing Propolis (the resin-like material made by bees as a by-product of honey production with anti-bacterial properties), Calendula and Plant-based Fatty Acids, this product can nourish, soothe and heal your skin. 

In addition to serving its primary function as an effective cleansing balm that gently removes long-wear makeup and soothes your skin, it is also refreshing and nourishing. Its effectiveness in removing excess oil, dirt and grime makes it an ideal step in a double-cleansing PM routine. 

You can buy it here.

III. Aminu Life Melting Balm Cleanser

The Little Helper Melting Balm Cleanser from Aminu transforms from balm to oil to milk and is made from healing Maori Manuka Oil, as well as 12+ seed oils, botanical extracts and vitamins. These ingredients are gentle on the skin, and the antimicrobial property of the manuka oil deeply cleanses and moisturises the skin. The oily likeness of the product draws out and dissolves oily substances from the skin and is a great way to remove waterproof makeup and sunscreen. 

The cleansing balm that softens and nourishes the skin also preps the skin well for a second cleanse. It can also be used as the primary cleanser for those with sensitive, extremely dry and mature skin, or those who are seeking to be soap-free. 

You can buy it here.

IV. Pulp Off-Duty Cleansing Balm

Pulp is dedicated to providing effective skincare that is simple, high-performance and infused with actives and essential superfoods. With its pop colours and quirky messaging, Pulp is a brand that adds a flair of fun to skincare and uncomplicates it. The Pulp Off-Duty Cleansing Balm is an ultra-nourishing and hydrating product with Vitamin E and Blueberry extracts. While the former deeply nourishes the skin, the latter combats dullness and inflammation. 

The brand suggests using it when you want to take your makeup off, or as the first step in cleansing before your night-time skincare routine to get rid of oil buildup, pollution, dust and such. 

You can buy it here.

V. YBP Cleansing Salve

As a brand that believes in the fact that less is more, YBP creates no-nonsense products that would require one to use fewer but high-quality products. They use ingredients that match the highest standards and won’t damage the skin in the short or long run. The cleansing salve from YBP is a product that gently removes daily pollutants, toxins, oils, stubborn makeup and creams and removes congestion in the skin. The waterless, non-foaming cleansing salve (a little lighter in texture than a balm) is great for soothing red, irritated or inflamed skin as well. 

As with all oil-based cleansers, the smooth, luxurious texture of the product also provides a respite from the usual tugging, pulling and scrubbing during the cleansing process. The salve from YBP with soothing ingredients is great for sun-damaged or reactive skin that needs some soothing support. Developing the products from scratch and sourcing the best possible ingredients, YBP creates products that focus on ‘the science of how your skin, body, and mind function together.’ 

You can buy it here.

VI. Plum Radiance E-Luminance Cleansing Balm

The Vitamin E and emollient-infused cleansing balm from Plum Radiance is one with almost a cult-like following. The 2-in-1 cleanser claims to effectively melt and remove dirt, impurities and even the toughest of waterproof makeup. The 8-plant-derived oils and butter such as shea and kokum that add emollience to the balm contribute to pampering the skin and cleansing it without drying it out.

The product melts from its solid balm texture into a silky oil when used to break down eye and face makeup and is free from sulphate, and other non-drying ingredients. The E-Luminance makeup remover balm generally leaves the skin feeling soft and supple, owing to the moisturising ingredients they’ve added to the mix. 

You can buy it here.

VII. D’You Good Grease 

A research-backed brand founded by skincare geeks, D’You is led by a team of passionate young women. Their hope to build a one-of-a-kind brand that creates products that are innovatively designed, formulated, produced and marketed is what culminated in D’You. Good Grease is the latest addition to their repertoire - a mess-free, effective cleansing balm in a tube. 

Made from a 5-oil ferment complex and a base of mango seed butter, Good Grease melts on touch to remove dirt, oil, environmental impurities, SPF, and waterproof makeup, all without stripping the skin dry. Most importantly, it doesn’t need to be followed up with another cleanser. The brand claims that the single step of using Good Grease as a cleanser at night, can deep clean pores and prevent skin congestion, as it rinses off easily without any residue. 

You can buy it here.

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