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.

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!