Ever the fan of a skincare ritual, editor Sophie Ritchie lifts the lid on five of the best cleansing balms to try for a dose of rejuvenated skin (without the spa day price tag)
There are two non-negotiables in life when it comes to keeping my wellbeing on track. Regular fitness… and high quality skincare. The latter feels almost like a ritual, a routine I follow morning and night to both set myself up and unwind no matter what the day entails.
I’m naturally baby-faced but I do credit the distinct lack of wrinkles and the confidence-boost of being ID’d for a cocktail on my 30th birthday to a daily skincare regime (arguably before I started taking on tougher work projects) which always starts in the same way – a hot towel pressed upon my face and a cleansing balm of choice.
There’s been somewhat of a beauty industry eruption in the last few years and with so many on the UK market, I put a few to the test with five days of different products to find out which cleansing balms are really worth placing on the bathroom shelf.
1 Day One: Temple Spa’s IN THE BEGINNING Deep Cleansing Balm
It’s Saturday and I’ve been on my feet all day, having been up at the crack of dawn to get ready for a central London breakfast. This plus Storm Bert was not the best of conditions for a full face of makeup, and by the time I’ve returned home I resemble more drowned rat than chic city girl. For what’s left of my makeup, I have a hot shower and pull out Temple Spa’s IN THE BEGINNING Deep Cleansing Balm. First thing to note, it smells glorious. Like a heavenly spa session, with nothing clinical in the fragrance.
With a golden yellow colour, the balm is quite grainy in texture thanks to the exfoliating beads, which turn to a melted smooth consistency as I rub it vigorously into my face. It takes my eye makeup clean off without leaving a grubby residue, so big points for that. It does however, take quite a lot of rubbing for the texture to work its magic. Post-use, my skin looks dewey, fresh and clean – exactly how I want to feel after a long day of trains and dashing around the city.
7/10
£35.00 for 75g, shop via templespa.com
2 Day Two: Simon Ourian M.D’s Take The Glam Off Cleansing & Make-Up Removing Balm
Monday morning, here we go. Sitting pretty in a cappuccino-toned box, the bright orange shade of this balm takes me by surprise – I must admit I was expecting something much more neutral, not a vibrant mango-inspired shade. This is because it’s composed of seven EFA-rich (Essential Fatty Acids) oils, along with with multiple plant extracts and Vitamin E.
Unlike most balms it comes complete with a cute little applicator tucked into the lid to help apply the potion – of course, fingertips will work just as well. I’m expecting a grainy texture but the exfoliating balm melts almost immediately when I massage it into my skin, creating a buttery glisten that feels ultra hydrating. There’s no strong smell or fragrance, it merely acts as the perfect base for using more skincare products or for applying fresh makeup on top. I’m a big fan and I use it again in the evening to strip off the day’s wear and tear, before settling down to watch The Holiday with a mini pamper night.
9/10
£59.99 for 125ml, shop via simonourianmd.com
3 Day three: Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm
Day three – old but gold. Ever the definition of ‘spa in a jar,’ Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm has been a beauty go-to of mine ever since discovering the product during a short overnight spa stay back in 2023. It’s always in my beauty lineup, whether traveling or at home – and no matter what kind of day I’ve had, this miracle product never fails to remove the makeup, grime and stress of the working week.
Massage it into your skin for a silky finish that feels luxurious enough to match an afternoon of pampering. As the carefully designed scent of roses fills the air in a way that could fool anyone into thinking they were wandering through a real-life rose garden, your skin will feel blissfully soft and hydrated. Price-wise, it’s classified as a ‘treat’ – but one that is guaranteed to put a smile on your (glowing) face.
8/10
£49.00 for 100g, shop via uk.elemis.com
4 Day four: Inlight Beauty’s Face Cleanser
Small but mighty, next up is the little black pot from Inlight Beauty. Complete with a handy wooden applicator, this award-winning balm is designed to deeply cleanse and nourish. Buttery and gentle, it removes the light layer of makeup I’ve had on for an office day without hassle (or strong ultra aromas) and immediately melts into my skin.
With anti sebum and anti-oxidant properties, and fragrant hints of lemon, lavender and cypress, there’s an almost medicinal air about it too thanks to its organic qualities. Either way, it takes me by surprise how much I adore it – although at £49.50 for a mere 45g, it’s certainly not the kindest to the bank account.
7/10
£49.50 for 45g, shop via inlightbeauty.co.uk
5 Day five: Afterglow Cleansing Balm
I’ve got a double workout session on the cards today, and that means early morning skincare (and coffee, lots of coffee). The first thing I notice about this product is its bright, turquoise-lined packaging – a clean design that beckons me to find the white jar within.
This intelligent three-in-one cleansing balm is claimed to “reset your complexion for newly rejuvenated and renewed skin health” – and after weeks and weeks of battering my skin with regular swim sessions, this sounds like music to my ears. It glides on easily, a transparent balm where a little goes a long way as as I prep my face for the day ahead.
Formulated with a synergistic blend of active ingredients and botanical oils and suitable for all skin types, it’s also enriched with ceramides to support the skin’s natural barrier function and prevent transepidermal water loss – with an added dose of azelaic acid to tackle inflammation. The result? It’s deeply nourishing and works to replenish the skin, exactly what I need before I go take on the cross trainer.
I really like that it’s perfume-free but infused with botanical extracts of rosemary, chamomile and orange, giving it a faint scent without overpowering me first thing in the morning.
8/10
£65.00 for 100ml, available via drdavidjack.com
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
