The balm was not at all harsh; we didn't notice any stripping or drying feeling, and actually were left feeling moisturized post-cleanse.

Additionally, she found that it wasn’t the most effective at removing a full face of makeup, as she had to follow up with micellar water during both of her tests. Despite not leaving any type of oily residue in its wake, our tester says that the cleansing balm made her skin feel hydrated without feeling stripped. Follow Siena on Instagram where you'll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life. Cleaning balms are extremely gentle and won't strip away your natural oils because they are oil-based," Zinali tells PEOPLE Tested.

She regularly tests and analyzes cleansing balms on her own skin for efficacy while working with the industry’s top dermatologists to assess new treatments, formulas, and products. While we (and most of the beauty community) highly recommend it, there are a few things that could be improved on. While it's formulated for more oily skin types, our tester has self-proclaimed dry skin, but it was just as effective for her: "My face felt really hydrated. Jenny Liu); NYC-based skin expert and medical esthetician, Joie Tavernise; and over a dozen other InStyle testers for everything there is to know about cleansing balms.

If you prefer more liquidy formulas that come in a tube or bottle rather than a tub that you have to dig into, we recommend the Waso by Shiseido Shikulime Gel-to-Oil Cleanser or the Dr. It’s ideal if your cleansing balm comes with a spatula (bonus points if it’s magnetic or stays put inside the lid).That said, our tester points out that it has a chunkier consistency than any cleansing balm she’s tried, which she admits is uncomfortable while removing eye makeup.

When it's time to remove the day's makeup — and dirt, oil, and everything else you don't want to go to sleep wearing — a cleansing balm may be a great addition to your nighttime routine.

Mislankar agrees that jojoba oil is a great ingredient to seek out, along with ceramides, glycerin, and linoeic acid. Our tester noted that her skin felt deeply moisturized after using this product — it's uniquely formulated with Shikuwasa, or a Japanese lime from Okinawa that helps support the skin barrier (meaning it helps to trap moisture in). What starts out as a solid texture seamlessly transforms into a balmy oil once applied to the skin before reaching its final state as a milky cleanser when combined with water. When rubbed onto a dry face, cleansing balms instantly melt away all traces of the beauty products you slathered on that morning.

With over 394,000 likes at Sephora, Farmacy Green Clean Meltaway Cleansing Balm is an undeniable cult favorite. If you have sensitive skin, avoid any balms with ingredients that can dry out and irritate the skin like alcohol and salt. To avoid this, dip a cotton swab into the balm and pick up just a little bit of product before applying it to the eye area. It has a gel-like balm formula that’s packaged in a squeeze bottle, making it hygienic and easy to dispense.Though our tester didn’t have the best experience, we felt it was important to mention it because many of our editors swear by this balm and think it’s still a stellar option. She is also the founder of the Dermy Doc Box, a quarterly subscription beauty box filled with dermatologist-approved skincare favorites. Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm has earned hundreds of five-star reviews for its transformative formula that starts out as a balm before emulsifying into an oil and eventually a cleansing milk.