Cleansing Balms for Oily Skin: Everything You Need to Know

For oily skin types, a cleansing balm might be a welcomed addition to your cleansing oily skin routine. Gentle yet effective in dissolving away excess oils from extra sebum production and makeup, cleansing balms don’t require the scrubbing that’s needed when using say, a water-based cleansing method. Cleansing balms transform into 3 textures: a balm that nourishes, an oil that lifts and dissolves, and a milk that hydrates.

Oily skin has many skin benefits, but the key is keeping skin in balance. Too much oil on the skin can cause breakouts and a greasy appearance. Not enough oil can leave skin looking dry, dull and out of balance. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and less wrinkles–yes, please.

So, how does oily skin manifest? Sebaceous glands. These glands are concentrated on the face, décolletage and back, which, unsurprisingly, tend to be the areas most affected with blemishes. These glands secrete sebum, which is usually a combination of fatty acids, naturally occurring lipids, waxes and sugars which form an oily, waxy layer on the skin. This layer moisturises and protects the skin from trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) and is essential to skin health.

The reasons why some people have more oily skin than others are widely unknown, but there are some known risk factors that can cause skin to produce excess oils:

- Testosterone levels
- Spiking hormones
- Humid climate
- Having black or brown skin
- and more

With cleansing balms being rich in nourishing oils, you won’t have to worry about them drying out or stripping the skin. These oils not only work to hydrate, but are lipophilic solvents, attracting them to other oils and dissolving them. That’s why cleansing balms so easily dissolve oil-based makeup, sunscreens and excess sebum. And when mixed with water, surfactants and emulsifying ingredients all combine together and form a milky texture that lifts everything needing to be rinsed away.

With cleansing balms being rich in nourishing oils, you won’t have to worry about them drying out or stripping the skin. These oils not only work to hydrate, but are lipophilic solvents, attracting them to other oils and dissolving them. That’s why cleansing balms so easily dissolve oil-based makeup, sunscreens and excess sebum. And when mixed with water, surfactants and emulsifying ingredients all combine together and form a milky texture that lifts everything needing to be rinsed away.

Ingredients to look for: essential oils such as starflower, grapeseed and jojoba oil, niacinamide, green tea, hyaluronic acid

Ingredients to avoid: mineral oils, alcohols, artificial dyes, paraffin and other occlusives

Everyone’s skin is unique. With any new addition to your skincare routine, it’s good to slowly increase usage as your skin gets more comfortable with the changes. It’s plausible to use a cleansing balm on oily skin every day or even twice a day. Again, it depends on what feels good to you and your skin.

If you’re looking to enhance your cleansing routine, try what’s known as a double-cleanse. This two-step approach delivers an even deeper clean, whilst helping to prep the skin for the rest of your skincare routine.

Here’s a quick double cleanse how-to:

Step 1: First Cleanse

Use a cleansing balm to deeply cleanse and remove impurities, makeup and pollutants.

Step 2: Second Cleanse

Follow with a treatment cleanser—usually a gel, clay or foam texture—to target your individual concerns, such as excess oil, blemishes or chronological ageing.

We recommend incorporating a double-cleanse into your routine once in the evening. With oily skin, you may benefit from a double-cleanse with your cleansing balm both morning and night, applied directly onto dry skin. This more thorough cleansing method may help with oil control.

1. On dry skin, massage the cleansing balm onto the face in circular motions, invigorating face and neck muscles for 30 seconds to two minutes.
2. Once settled, wash hands and let the mask absorb right into the skin while you relax.
3. After 15-20 minutes, rinse a washcloth with warm water, massaging the balm away. Pat face dry and continue with your routine.

Morning Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Step 1 - Cleansing Balm: Use your favourite cleansing balm for oily skin

Step 2 - Second Cleanse: Use a skin-balancing wash cleanser 

Step 3 - Balance: Apply a moisture-balancing skin essence to optimize skin for treatments

Step 4 - Treat: Apply your anti-acne treatments, antioxidants, or other anti-ageing treatments

Step 5 - Moisturise: Apply a water- or aloe-based daytime moisturiser or a lightweight moisturiser with SPF

Step 6 - Protect: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher every day, rain or shine

Nighttime Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Step 1 - Cleansing Balm: Use your favourite cleansing balm for oily skin

Step 2 - Second Cleanse: Use a gentle wash cleanser (TIP: as tempting as it may be, too much exfoliation can cause your skin to overcompensate and produce more oil)

Step 3 - Balance: Apply a moisture-balancing skin essence to optimize skin for treatments

Step 4 - Treat: Apply your anti-acne treatments, antioxidants, or other anti-ageing treatments

Step 5 - Moisturise: Apply a water- or aloe-based, lightweight moisturiser if needed

The Iconic Original

This award-winning essential is infused with a unique blend of 9 essential oils including Lavender, Chamomile and Eucalyptus and smells like aromatherapy in a jar.

The Rose-Infused Icon

Formulated with delicate English Rose Oleo Extract, this floral favourite leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and oh-so-soothed.

The Fragrance-Free Cleansing Balm

Fragrance-free version of our bestselling cleansing balm that melts away makeup and impurities for a glowing complexion.