If you’re a fan of K-beauty and the famous Korean 10 step skincare routine, you’ll have come across Korean cleansing balms.
A cleansing balm is an often-used step in a Korean skincare routine.
It’s an essential part of the double cleansing process which is where the 10 step routine begins.
If you’re looking for a Korean beauty cleansing balm, it can be hard to choose between them.
There are a lot on the market, all with different ingredients that can benefit your skin in different ways.
You may be wondering where to start, and this is where this list of the best Korean cleansing balms can help.
Below are the top picks from Korean beauty brands, and their key benefits for your skin.
The best Korean cleansing balms
Scroll down to see the extensive list of all the best Korean cleansing balms and find one to suit your skin type and budget.
Do you use a cleansing balm first in Korean skincare?
Cleansing with a balm or oil is the first step of your double cleansing routine when it comes to Korean skincare.
You can use a Korean cleansing balm (or oil) first to remove makeup, SPF and oil-based impurities as well as excess sebum.
The next step in the Korean double cleanse routine is to go in with another cleanser to remove bacteria and dead skin cells.
The second step following a cleansing balm can be a foam cleanser, micellar water or other water-based cleanser.
How do you use Korean cleansing balm?
Balm cleansers should be applied directly to dry skin and massaged in to the face in circular motions to dislodge makeup and SPF.
They come as a solid texture which melts into an oil on the skin.
Often you will then add a little water to your face to emulsify the cleansing balm, which tends to turn it into a milky solution.
You can then rinse off with water or remove with a face cloth before going in with the second step of your double cleanse.
The best Korean cleansing balm for your skin type
Below are all the very best Korean cleansing balms on the market.
These should all be applied to a dry face and will remove even the most stubborn waterproof makeup.
They’ll then rinse off cleanly leaving no greasy residue.
The best part is there is a Korean cleansing balm to suit every skin type.
It’s all about choosing cleansers with ingredients that benefit your particular skin concern whether that be acne, dryness, pigmentation or anything else you would like to treat or remedy.
The best Korean cleansing balm for sensitive skin
BANILA CO Clean It Zero Purifying
This is one of the best Korean cleansers if you have sensitive or stressed out skin.
This cult favorite soothes skin irritation with aloe vera and green tea extracts, and won’t sting if it gets in your eyes.
Despite being so gentle, it removes even waterproof mascara with ease, and leaves skin feeling calm and clean.
It washes away easily and doesn’t leave any oily residue on your face, and it won’t dry your skin out either.
BANILA CO Clean It Zero Purifying is available here
The best Korean cleansing balm for dry skin
Belif Aqua Bomb Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
Packed with fruit oils and aloe, this is one of the favorite cleansing balms for dry skin types.
It will remove all your makeup without stripping the skin of moisture and leaving it feeling parched.
This Korean cleansing balm contains marshmallow root which has anti-inflammatory properties and will soothe any skin irritation.
Lotus flower extract gets to work on dullness, leaving brighter skin in its wake, and Lady’s Mantle soothes away redness.
Belif Aqua Bomb Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm is available here
The best Korean cleansing balm for acne-prone skin
COSRX Pure Fit Cica Smoothing Cleansing Balm
Cica, also known as centella asiatica or gotu kola, is a herb that’s been used in K-Beauty routines for a long time but is just becoming more prominent in the Western world.
This wonder ingredient has so many amazing benefits for skin and is great if you’re prone to acne.
This is because cica is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory so it won’t cause new breakouts.
Its antioxidant effect helps to repair the skin barrier and will help to heal old breakouts and repair acne scars.
At the same time, it’s hydrating too so won’t strip your skin of its natural oils which could potentially lead to more acne and irritation.
COSRX Pure Fit Cica Smoothing Cleansing Balm is available here
The best Korean cleansing balm for hyperpigmentation
This lovely cleanser contains fig oil water extracted from figs grown in the area of Yeong-am, South Korea.
This ingredient has a variety of benefits when it’s applied to skin.
One of these is that it reduces melanin production in the skin to prevent dark spots, and can also help to fade existing spots.
Over time you will see a more even skin tone.
Fig oil water also contains keratinase which is a natural alternative to AHAs, and which helps other skincare products to easily penetrate the skin’s barrier.
I’m From Fig Cleansing Balm is available here
The best Korean cleansing balm for congested and dull skin
Hanskin PHA Pore Cleansing Balm
If you suffer with blocked pores and an overall look of dullness, this is a great cleansing balm to choose.
It contains gluconolactone which is a poly-hydroxy acid, or PHA. This is a close relation to the well-known acid exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs.
PHAs however don’t cause any irritation so if you’re sensitive to most chemical exfoliants this is a good option to try.
Gluconolactone breaks down and removes dulling dead skin cells which also lead to pore congestion and blackheads.
To add moisture this Korean cleansing balm also contains jojoba oil and sunflower seed oil.
Hanskin is an OG Korean beauty brand credited with creating the first BB Cream ever a couple of decades ago.
They are also cruelty free.
Hanskin PHA Pore Cleansing Balm is available here
The best Korean cleansing balm for combination and oily skin types
Aromatica Orange Cleansing Sherbet
If you have combination skin you’ll have a mix of oily patches (usually in the T zone) and some dry patches.
If you are more on the oily side all over you can still suffer from dry patches as many skincare products for oily skin can strip the skin of its natural oils.
It can be hard finding skincare to balance out these areas but this is a really good place to start when it comes to your cleansing routine.
This balm cleanser contains orange peel extract which helps to regulate oil production in the skin, meaning your oily areas become less oily.
To help with any dryness sunflower seed oil and apricot kernel oil add much needed hydration into the skin’s layers.
Aromatica is a cruelty free brand and this product is also suitable for vegans.
Aromatica Orange Cleansing Sherbet is available here
The best Korean cleansing balm for all skin types
E Nature Moringa Cleansing Balm
This is one of the best Korean cleansing balms if you’re looking for a good all-rounder that just does the job.
It has a lightweight sorbet-like texture that melts on the skin, dislodging makeup residue and SPF.
This Korean balm cleanser contains safflower seed oil and evening primrose oil.
Another main ingredient is moringa seed oil which is high in fatty acids and antioxidants that will benefit all skin types.
E Nature Moringa Cleansing Balm is available here
The best Korean cleansing balm for stubborn makeup removal
This Korean cleansing balm is one of the best cleansing balms for removing waterproof mascara and other eye makeup products.
It comes with a little spatula so you don’t need to dip your fingers into it.
Heimish All Clean Balm contains nourishing shea butter so it won’t dry your skin out.
It’s believed that Heimish do not currently sell in China and are a cruelty free brand.
Heimish All Clean Balm is available here
The best affordable Korean cleansing balm
Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm
The very simple packaging of this Korean cleansing balm hides a very effective oil-based cleanser that gets the job done.
Its key ingredients are inspired by traditional Korean medicine (known as hanbang).
These include rice bran oil which is high in Vitamin E and fatty acids to cleanse, hydrate and soften the skin.
It also contains rice water which gently exfoliates to reveal brighter skin.
As far as cleansing balms from Korea go, this is on the more affordable side so is a great budget option.
Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm is available here
The best Korean cleansing balm for a splurge
Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
If you’re looking for the best Korean cleansing balm from a premium brand, then this is it.
This cleansing balm has been raved about by Caroline Hirons and a legion of fans who adore this product.
It contains natural ingredients like olive oil, sea buckthorn oil and grapeseed oil plus persimmon extract to nourish the skin as it removes makeup and impurities.
Then I Met You are a cruelty free Korean brand.
Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm is available here
For the best results from your cleansing balm, make sure to use it every evening as the first step in your skincare routine.
Korean cleansing balms are a really worthwhile investment and they contain some amazing ingredients which can really benefit your skin.
More of the best Korean skincare:
This post contains affiliate links. A full disclosure is available from the main menu.
Leave a Reply