Cleansing Balms for Dry Skin: Everything You Need to Know

For dry and sensitive skin types, a cleansing balm can be a healthy replacement for rough and irritating makeup-remover wipes or other personal deep-cleansing methods. Cleansing balms easily remove makeup, excess oil, dirt and impurities without the exfoliation that comes with using a wipe. In addition, cleansing balms are typically infused with skin-loving oils which intensely nourish the skin whilst cleansing, for a soft and soothed complexion.

Simply put, skin becomes dry because it has lost moisture too quickly. You may experience dry skin for several reasons, including genetics, chronological age, a drop in temperature, certain medications or skin conditions, excessive exfoliating and so on. Cleansing balms are perfect for dry skin because they have multiple benefits. Our cleansing balms offer a 3-in-1 benefit; nourishes as a cleansing balm, removes makeup and impurities as a cleansing oil and hydrates as a cleansing milk. Moisture is restored, leaving skin happy and balanced before you move on to the next step in your skincare routine. Learn more about what causes dry skin here.

Look for humectants:

• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Amino acids and peptides.
• Humectants are moisture magnets for your skin. When the skin barrier is compromised, humectants pull in moisture from the atmosphere and lock it onto skin’s surface while retaining moisture within the skin, preventing trans-epidermal-water-loss (TEWL).

Look for emollients:

• Fatty acids
• Oils
• Ceramides
• Waxes and butters.
• Emollients are skin-softening heroes. When the skin barrier is compromised, emollients come to the rescue by filling in the lipid gaps within the upper layers of skin. Emollients form a sheer barrier on skin’s surface, leaving skin visibly smooth and soft.

First, double-check your product’s directions and warnings before use. In most cases, cleansing balms are excellent for daily use because they are nourishing and gentle. If you’re using one of our Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balms we recommend daily use or weekly when used as a nourishing facial mask. Cleansing balms are high-performance cleansers that easily remove long-wear makeup and sunscreens which tend to linger on skin, making them the perfect addition to any skincare routine. Since they are so gentle and hydrating, cleansing balms can be used both morning and night, applied directly to dry skin. 

Cleansing is an essential step for skin health. With a double-cleanse, you’re enhancing your cleansing ritual with an effective step in removing stubborn dirt, excess oils, makeup and sunscreen that linger behind and cause unwanted breakouts. This two-step regimen offers a gentle approach to deep cleansing, whilst helping to prep the skin for the next steps in your skincare routine. 

Aim for a dry-skin skincare routine that is like the below, using your preferences:

• Step 1 Cleansing Balm: Use your favourite cleansing balm for dry skin
• Step 2 Cleanse: Then, use an energising, hydrating cleanser
• Step 3 Balance: Apply a moisture-balancing skin essence or oil to optimize skin for treatments
• Step 4 Treat: Apply your anti-acne treatments, antioxidants, or other anti-ageing treatments
• Step 5 Moisturise: Apply your favourite daytime moisturiser or a moisturiser with SPF
• Step 6 Protect: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher every day, rain or shine

• Step 1 Cleansing Balm: Use your favourite cleansing balm for dry skin
• Step 2 Cleanse: Then, use a calming, hydrating cleanser
• Step 3 Balance: Apply a moisture-balancing skin essence or oil to optimize skin for treatments
• Step 4 Treat: Apply your anti-acne treatments, antioxidants, or other anti-ageing treatments
• Step 5 Moisturise: Apply your favourite nighttime moisturiser or moisturising mask

Incorporating a cleansing balm into your skincare routine for dry skin can leave you with softer, hydrated and more radiant-looking skin. The thing to keep in mind is that a cleansing balm is the perfect dry/sensitive skin-type replacement for makeup-remover wipes or other harsh makeup-removing methods. If you don’t have time to double-cleanse in the morning, don’t worry. Start by adding a cleansing balm to your nighttime skincare routine, as cleansing balms dissolve, lift and wash away all that stubborn long-wear makeup and sunscreen left from the day.