3 Cleansing Balms You Need If You Have Dry Skin

With the chillier seasons ahead, those of us with dry skin are gearing up for our yearly fight against the elements and one of the best skin care products to include in this year’s arsenal is a cleansing balm. Unlike some face washes that can strip the skin of its natural oils—causing dry skin to be…well…even more dry—cleansing balms are thick, creamy, and moisturizing, removing makeup and impurities, while simultaneously hydrating the skin. If you have dry skin, listen up! We’re sharing three cleansing balms you’ll need this fall, below!

First things first, cleansing balms are different from your traditional facial cleansers in more ways than one. Off the bat, the texture more closely resembles a cream than a cleanser—which instantly makes you aware of the moisturizing benefits. As well, as opposed to face wash, cleansing balms are applied to skin while it’s dry, massaged in and removed with a clean, damp muslin cloth.  Now for the good stuff. Without further ado, our favorite cleansing balms:

Multi-purpose skin care takes on a new meaning thanks to It Cosmetics Makeup Melting Balm. Not only does it cleanse skin and remove makeup, it acts as an anti-aging serum as well! The sulfate-free formula removes impurities from your skin’s surface without drying out your complexion or stripping the skin. For added hydration and a deeper clean, leave the balm on your skin for up to 60 seconds after massaging on.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup™ 3-in-1 Makeup Melting Balm, $38

Gently melt away makeup and other surface-level impurities with this indulgent cleansing balm from The Body Shop. Formulated with Community Trade Camomille water from Norfolk Essential Oils—a family-owned co-operative in England—this skin soothing cleansing balm leaves skin clean and petal-soft.

The Body Shop Camomille Sumptuous Cleansing Butter, $16 (Now $9.60!)

This 2-in-1 cashmere-like balm melts onto skin, transforming into a lightweight cleansing oil that you massage into skin for a truly sensorial experience. It cleanses heavy makeup and impurities off from skin’s surface, and over time, skin will feel more soft and supple.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Intensive Cleansing Balm, $69

If you'd rather stick to a traditional face wash for your dry skin, check out this moisturizing cream cleanser with vitamin E.