Cleansing Balm vs oil: Which is Better?

Cleansing Balm vs. Oil: What’s the Difference?

Cleansers are the all-important first step in your skincare regimen, giving the rest of your products a pristine canvas to work on for optimal effectiveness. It’s not surprising that there are so many different types of cleansers to choose from, including two that are growing in popularity in the skincare market: oils and balms. While both use oil in their formulations, it's all a matter of texture when it comes to cleansing oils vs. balms.

Balms and oils are touted as gentle, yet powerful, cleansing solutions that melt away dirt, makeup, and other pore-clogging impurities. Typical oils used in these products include sunflower seed, coconut, grapeseed, olive, or avocado oil. While cleansing oils are exactly what they sound like in terms of texture, cleansing balms take a solid form. These balms can do it all–they nurture your complexion with a luxurious creaminess, while still giving you the glow that comes from clean and clear skin.

Advantages of Cleansing Balm

1. It’s self-care that indulges the senses.

A rich, velvety cleansing balm is delightful to the touch. Balms are typically applied to the face in gentle, circular massaging motions that soothe the facial muscles. Cleansing your face with a balm isn’t just a twice-daily chore; it’s a ritual for invigorating your mornings and unwinding at night.

2. They leave your skin feeling great.

Skincare has come a long way since the days of facial bar soaps that stripped the skin of its natural oils and pH balance. While cleansing oils offer better hydration than the soaps of the past, they can also be tricky to wipe off the skin, leaving behind a somewhat tacky residue. Cleansing balms, on the other hand, transform from a solid to a smooth, milky liquid texture with the addition of water, making them easier to rinse off.

3. They can adapt to different skin types.

A balm may be more solid than an oil, but it’s typically more lightweight. You can use it year-round on any skin type. If you have sensitive skin, make sure you find a balm that’s free of fragrance or allergens.

4. They can go wherever you do.

Cleansing oils are a bit slippery to work with, so they’re not as practical for packing in your suitcase or gym bag. Cleansing balms can go anywhere (and they won’t leak onto the other items in your makeup pouch).

5. They play well with others.

A balm is a must-have if you’re double cleansing for a thorough clean. Use the cleansing balm to do the heavy lifting (removing makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and debris), then follow it with a lighter, water-based cleanser that banishes dead skin cells and bacteria that can lead to breakouts. A cleansing gel is the ideal partner for a cleansing balm because they work together beautifully to hydrate and refresh the look of your skin.

Choosing a Cream Cleansing Gel

Here’s what to look for when you want to pair your balm with a second cleanser:

Step 1: Make sure water is the key ingredient.

Using two oil-based products in combination may be too much for some skin types.

Step 2: Find the cleanest option.

You don’t want to strip away the moisture from your cleansing balm with harsh ingredients. A cleansing gel should use clean beauty ingredients, and be free from potential irritants such as sulfates.

Step 3: Look for hydrating ingredients.

Cleansing gels are often recommended for people with oily or combination skin because of their astringent properties, but you want your product to also have hydrating ingredients to strike the perfect balance. Look for emollient-rich ingredients such as aloe vera or cucumber extract to help nurture and preserve the skin’s moisture barrier.

Using the Augustinus Bader Cleansing Products

The Cleansing Balm and The Cream Cleansing Gel are a powerful double cleanse duo, or you can use either of them on their own. Both products feature our proprietary TFC8® to support cellular renewal, as well as botanicals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and other nurturing ingredients. Your complexion doesn’t just look clean; it looks purified, with a visible improvement to the appearance of your skin’s tone and texture.

This radiant-looking skin is a result of our innovative skincare technology that’s backed by real science. Like all of our products, our cleansers are consumer-tested to measure results. In these trials, 100% of users said The Cleansing Balm easily removed makeup and grime, while 98% agreed that The Cream Cleansing Gel soothed and calmed the skin.

Either cleanser can be used in the morning and at night, but we recommend this double cleanse regimen for an elevated skincare experience:

Massage a pea-sized amount of The Cleansing Balm into dry skin with your fingertips, moving in a gentle, circular motion.
Add warm water to emulsify the balm into a milky liquid as you continue massaging your face.
Soak “The Cloth” (packaged with the balm) in warm water, then wipe away the excess balm with gentle circles.
With skin still damp, apply a little of The Cream Cleansing Gel gently to the skin until a light lather forms.
Rinse the gel cleanser off with warm water, pat skin dry, and follow the rest of your skincare regimen.

Cleansing balm vs. oil? It’s no contest after you try The Cleansing Balm. Explore game-changing formulas in skincare, supplements, and haircare. Shop Augustinus Bader cleansers, and other facecare products, today.