Best Cleansing Balms for Waterproof Makeup (That Rinse Clean)

Waterproof makeup is great at staying put, but it can be a pain to remove. The right cleansing balm melts everything down fast and rinses away without a greasy film. Here are the best options that deliver a squeaky-clean finish without stripping your skin.

If you wear waterproof mascara, long-wear eyeliner, or transfer-resistant foundation, you know the struggle: makeup that survives your day often outlasts your regular face wash. The fix is a cleansing balm that dissolves stubborn formulas quickly and then rinses off completely. This guide focuses on balms that emulsify on contact with water so they leave no heavy residue, no stinging, and no film. Whether you have sensitive eyes, want something fragrance free, or need heavy-duty dissolving power, these are the standouts worth your time and budget.

We prioritized balms that do three things well: melt through waterproof eye and lip products without rubbing, turn into a thin milk when you add water, and rinse clean without leaving a waxy after-feel. The picks below work across skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, and they play nicely with double cleansing if you want that extra-fresh finish.

Quick picks

• Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm: Best overall for waterproof eye makeup
• CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm: Best fragrance-free drugstore pick
• Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm: Best fast-melting for full glam
• Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm: Best for dry, tight-feeling skin
• e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm: Best value

In-depth reviews

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm review

Who it is for: If you want reliable waterproof mascara removal with minimal eye sting and a truly clean rinse, start here. This fragrance-free classic is a safe bet for contact lens wearers and anyone with sensitive or reactive skin.

How it works and how it feels: The firm, sorbet-like balm melts into a silky oil on dry skin and softens waterproof waxes and polymers fast. Add a splash of water and it turns into a thin milk that rinses away clean. The texture has enough slip to lift long-wear eyeliner and matte liquid lipstick without tugging, yet it never feels heavy once you rinse.

Key ingredients and why they matter: A blend of lightweight emollients and efficient emulsifiers gives this balm its signature rinse-clean finish. There is no added fragrance or essential oils, which lowers the risk of irritation around the eyes and lips.

Performance notes: It removes stubborn tube and waterproof mascaras in under a minute when you let it soak the lashes first, and it clears sunscreen and long-wear foundation quickly. If you wear heavy waterproof gel liner, massage a touch longer along the lash line before adding water.

Drawbacks: The jar format is not as mess-free as a pump, and if any balm slips into your eyes you might notice brief cloudiness until you rinse. It is also not the most fragrant or sensorial balm, which is a plus for some and a minus for others.

How it compares: Compared with Farmacy Green Clean, Clinique is gentler and unscented, but Green Clean melts makeup slightly faster. Versus CeraVe, Clinique has a firmer texture and a more weightless rinse; CeraVe feels a touch creamier right after you towel off.

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm review

Who it is for: Great for budget shoppers, teens, and anyone who wants a simple, fragrance-free balm that is kind to a compromised moisture barrier. If you are eczema-prone or easily sensitized, this is a smart starting point.

How it works and how it feels: This balm has a softer, creamier scoop than some luxury picks. On dry skin it melts quickly, spreads easily across the face and eyes, and emulsifies into a light milk with a few drops of water. The rinse is clean and comfortable, without a squeaky feel or greasy film.

Key ingredients and why they matter: CeraVe’s signature ceramides support the skin barrier, while jojoba and other lightweight emollients dissolve waterproof pigments. The formula is fragrance free and designed to minimize irritation around the delicate eye area.

Performance notes: It handles waterproof eyeliner and mascara well and clears daily sunscreen without effort. Heavy theatrical makeup may require a second scoop or a quick follow-up with a water-based cleanser, which many people prefer anyway.

Drawbacks: The jar is on the smaller side, so frequent full-glam wearers might go through it quickly. If you do not emulsify long enough, you may feel a whisper of waxiness, so add more water and massage until it turns completely milky.

How it compares: Versus Clinique, CeraVe is creamier and a bit more cushioning on rinse, which dry and sensitive types will love. Compared with e.l.f., CeraVe feels more neutral and barrier-focused; e.l.f. delivers similar makeup removal at a slightly lower cost per ounce when on sale.

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm review

Who it is for: If you wear full glam, long-wear foundation, and bulletproof liner, Green Clean is the fast-melting, effortless option. It is ideal for people who enjoy a luxe texture and do not mind a light aromatic scent.

How it works and how it feels: The balm is silky and collapses on contact with skin heat, which makes it quick to massage over the face and eyes. When water hits, it transforms into a thin, easily rinsed milk, taking waterproof pigments and film-formers with it.

Key ingredients and why they matter: Sunflower seed oil provides slip to dissolve makeup, while supporting extracts like moringa seed help break down impurities. A blend of aromatic essential oils gives it a spa-like scent, which some enjoy and others avoid.

Performance notes: It makes short work of heavy mascara, long-wear matte lipstick, and sunscreen. The rinse is convincingly clean, and the skin feels soft but not coated.

Drawbacks: The fragrance may be a deal breaker for very sensitive eyes or noses. If you know essential oils bother your skin, choose a fragrance-free pick instead.

How it compares: Green Clean melts faster than Clinique and can feel more decadent. However, Paula’s Choice gives a richer post-rinse comfort for dry skin, while CeraVe offers a gentler, unscented experience at a lower price.

Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm review

Who it is for: Ideal for dry, tight-feeling, or mature skin that needs a little extra comfort without residue. If your face often feels stripped after washing, this balm is a treat that still rinses thoroughly.

How it works and how it feels: It starts as a rich balm that melts into a cushiony oil. With water, it emulsifies completely and rinses off cleaner than its buttery texture suggests, leaving a soft, nourished feel rather than a waxy film.

Key ingredients and why they matter: Omega-rich oils and lightweight triglycerides dissolve waterproof makeup while supporting the skin’s barrier. The formula is fragrance free and designed to minimize irritation around eyes and lips.

Performance notes: It removes stubborn mascara and long-wear foundation effectively, though it may need an extra few seconds of massage on dense lash lines. The post-rinse comfort is notably plush, which is perfect for dry climates or winter.

Drawbacks: It is pricier than drugstore options and the texture is thicker, so you will want to add a good amount of water to ensure a complete emulsification before rinsing.

How it compares: Versus Farmacy, Paula’s Choice is unscented and richer on the skin. Compared with CeraVe, it leaves a more cushioned after-feel, while Clinique still wins for the most minimal formula and ultra-light rinse.

e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm review

Who it is for: A wallet-friendly, reliable option for everyday makeup and sunscreen. If you want an entry-level balm that punches above its price, this one is an easy recommendation.

How it works and how it feels: The soft sorbet texture spreads fast, dissolving mascara smudges and long-wear lipstick. Add water and it turns milky in seconds, leaving the skin clean without a clingy residue.

Key ingredients and why they matter: Hyaluronic acid and ceramides support hydration and barrier comfort while lightweight emollients melt waterproof makeup. The formula is fragrance free, a welcome surprise at this price point.

Performance notes: It clears daily makeup and tough sunscreens efficiently. Very heavy waterproof looks may need a second cleanse or a slightly longer massage, but the rinse stays reliably clean.

Drawbacks: The jar can get soft in hot bathrooms, and the texture is less luxe than higher-end options. If balms sometimes blur your vision, keep your eyes closed while emulsifying and rinse thoroughly.

How it compares: e.l.f. offers similar removal power to CeraVe with a slightly lighter feel and often a lower cost. Versus Clinique, it is less dense and a touch quicker to melt, but Clinique edges it out for heavy waterproof eye days.

How to choose

Map your needs to the right balm by focusing on three things: sensitivity, makeup load, and rinse feel.

• If your eyes are sensitive or you wear contacts: Choose a fragrance-free formula with a strong emulsifier. Clinique Take The Day Off and CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm are the safest bets. Paula’s Choice also works well if your skin runs dry.
• If you wear full glam or long-wear foundation: You will want fast melt and plenty of slip. Farmacy Green Clean is the speediest, with Clinique close behind if you prefer unscented.
• If your skin feels tight after washing: Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex leaves skin soft and comfortable while still rinsing clean. CeraVe is a more affordable alternative with a cushioned feel.
• If you are on a budget: e.l.f. Holy Hydration! and CeraVe both deliver excellent removal and a clean rinse without the luxury price tag.
• If you prefer the lightest possible rinse: Clinique has the airiest, least noticeable post-rinse feel. It is ideal if you dislike any residual cushion.

All five balms work for double cleansing. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may prefer following with a gentle water-based cleanser, especially after heavy sunscreen days. If your skin is dry or sensitive, you might find the balm alone is enough most nights, and save double cleansing for heavy makeup days.

How to use a cleansing balm so it actually rinses clean

• Start with dry hands and a dry face. Water too early prevents the balm from dissolving makeup properly.
• Use the right amount. For sunscreen and light makeup, a pea to almond-size scoop is plenty. For waterproof mascara and full glam, start with a grape-size scoop and add more only if needed.
• Massage 30 to 60 seconds. Spend the last 10 seconds on the lash line, pressing the balm into the roots with gentle, closed-eye strokes.
• Emulsify before rinsing. Wet your fingertips and massage again until the balm turns into a thin, milky liquid. Keep adding a little water until it feels lighter and slipperier.
• Rinse with lukewarm water. Hot water can irritate eyes and skin. If you like, finish with a soft, damp cloth to sweep away any last traces.
• Optional double cleanse. Follow with a gentle water-based cleanser if you wore heavy makeup, have oily skin, or just enjoy that fresh-skin feel.
• Prevent eye cloudiness. Keep eyes closed while emulsifying and rinsing. If your eyes feel filmy, splash with more water or use a clean, damp cotton round along the lash line.

Final thoughts

If you want the easiest, rinse-clean solution for waterproof makeup, start with Clinique Take The Day Off. It is unscented, gentle, and reliably clears tough formulas without residue. For a budget-friendly, fragrance-free option, CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm is a close second that leaves skin comfortable. If full glam is your norm and you want speed and slip, Farmacy Green Clean is the fastest melter. Dry or mature skin will love the cushioned rinse of Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex, while e.l.f. Holy Hydration! is the best low-cost pick that still rinses away clean. Pick the texture and price point you prefer, and let the balm do the hard work so you do not have to.

See also

If you want your makeup to apply faster and more evenly before you remove it at night, dial in your tools and lock-in steps. A reliable brush kit makes a bigger difference than you think, so consider the picks in Explore the Best Affordable Makeup Brushes for Busy Moms list, then keep looks in place all day with the long-wear picks in Best Setting Sprays for All-Day Makeup. For gentler formulas around the eyes, especially if lids are mature or sensitive, you might appreciate the product ideas in Best Eye Makeup for Older Women.

Skin and eye comfort are not just about products on your face. If you use scalp treatments near bedtime, learn which formulas play nicely with your skin in Best Oils for Hair Growth (That Actually Help Your Hair Look Fuller). And if allergies or indoor air quality are making eyes water or sting, an air cleaner can help, so see our top picks in Best Air Purifiers for Mold.

FAQ

What makes a cleansing balm truly rinse clean, and how can I tell?

Look for a balm that lists emulsifiers high in the ingredients, because those are what help oil bind with water and lift away. During use, the key sign is a full transformation to a thin, milky liquid when you add water. After rinsing, your skin should feel comfortable and breathable, not waxy or slippery. If there is drag or film, add more water during the emulsifying step and massage for 10 to 15 seconds longer.

Can I use these balms on lash extensions and waterproof mascara?

Use them freely on your natural lashes to remove waterproof mascara. For lash extensions, avoid oil-based balms because they can weaken the adhesive. Instead, use an extension-safe, water-based cleanser on the lash line and keep your balm to the rest of the face.

Do I still need a second cleanser after a rinse-clean balm?

It depends on your skin and how much you wore that day. If you wore heavy sunscreen or long-wear foundation, a quick water-based cleanse after the balm leaves skin extra fresh. If you wore minimal makeup or your skin gets dry easily, the balm alone can be enough most nights. All the picks in this guide are compatible with a gentle second cleanse.

Which balm is best if fragrances irritate my eyes?

Choose an unscented option. Clinique Take The Day Off, CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm, and Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex are all fragrance free and formulated to minimize eye irritation. If you enjoy a light scent and do not react to essential oils, Farmacy Green Clean is lovely, but sensitive eyes should stick to the fragrance-free trio.

Will a cleansing balm clog my pores or trigger breakouts?

Rinse-clean balms are designed to leave nothing behind. They dissolve waterproof makeup, then emulsify with water so the whole mix lifts off your skin. If you are acne-prone, focus on thorough emulsification and consider a short, gentle second cleanse. Patch test if you are sensitive to specific oils, and avoid rubbing harshly around active breakouts.

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