This Is the Only Makeup Cleansing Balm That Leaves My Skin Hydrated and Never Greasy — Just $30

Whether you’re a skincare-devotee or a beginner, two words you’ll hear over and over again are “double cleanse.” The process is simple, it quite literally consists of double cleansing your face with an oil-based formula and following up with a creamy or gel-like cleanser. Oil attracts oil (aka sebum), and cleansing with an oil-based cleanser effectively removes makeup, dirt and other pore-clogging gunk. That is, however, so long as you’re applying the right double cleansing solution.

After trying dozens of makeup cleansing balms, I finally found my holy grail: Dr. Althea’s Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm — and it’s less than $30 at Amazon. For me, few things are as satisfying as sloughing off my makeup with a cleansing balm, and the sorbet-like texture of this pick is heavenly. My makeup melts in seconds, but it’s the soothing hydration my skin feels afterward that keeps me coming back.

Dr. Althea is a K-beauty brand known for their affordable yet effective skincare solutions. While some makeup cleansing balms are packed with cheap carrier oils that can leave skin feeling like a greasy donut (and not in a good way), I never feel an ounce of oily residue with this Dr. Althea pick. All it takes is a quarter-sized amount to effectively melt makeup or sunscreen. And yes — it’s safe for removing eye makeup, too.

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As someone with sensitive skin, it doesn’t take much to leave my face looking noticeably irritated. The most simple ingredients can exacerbate my naturally rosy skin, so trust me when I say this is the only cleansing balm I’ve experienced noticeable improvements with. This is in part due to madecassoide — a plant-based, anti-inflammatory ingredient that soothes irritated skin while offering tons of anti-aging benefits.

I could go on and on about the rest of this product’s skincare benefits — like how it’s a vegan, cruelty-free formula that’s also paraben- and fragrance-free — but I’ll leave it at this. If you’re not removing makeup with a cleansing balm, or you’re tired of your current skincare lineup, this K-beauty pick is a total winner. Makeup and dirt aren’t really gone unless you’re double cleansing, and it’s key for ensuring your skin can absorb serums and other facial treatments.

I don’t believe in spending hundreds just to find an effective formula. There are so many wonderful skincare heroes that are less than $50, including my favorite cleansing balm. Try it for yourself — you won’t be disappointed!

Get the Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm for $23 at Amazon!

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