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Priced at
(currently on offer for £10.86)
If you’ve been reading here for a while, you’ll know that cleansing balms are one of my favourite ways to remove makeup. So when I spotted the CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm, I was immediately interested.
I already really like CeraVe as a brand because it focuses on simple, effective skincare without lots of unnecessary extras, and I was curious to see how its cleansing balm would compare to some of the much more expensive options in my collection.
I’ve been testing it out for a few weeks now, and here’s everything you need to know.
In This Review
- Is CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm any good?
- Does it remove waterproof makeup?
- CeraVe Cleansing Balm vs Elemis
- Ingredients and benefits
- Who should buy it?
- Before and after results
- My final verdict
What is CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm?
The CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm is a fragrance-free cleansing balm designed to remove makeup, SPF, excess oil and daily impurities while helping to support the skin barrier.
It’s formulated with three essential ceramides and jojoba oil, and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Unlike many cleansing balms that focus on creating a luxurious spa-like experience, this feels very much like a practical, results-driven product. It’s designed to cleanse effectively whilst being gentle on the skin, and that’s exactly what it does.
Key Ingredients
One of the things I like most about CeraVe products is that they focus on ingredients that support the skin barrier rather than lots of fragrance or unnecessary additions.
The standout ingredients here are:
Three Essential Ceramides
Ceramides help support and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, which is particularly important if you’re prone to dryness or sensitivity.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil helps soften and nourish the skin whilst assisting with the removal of makeup and impurities.
Fragrance-Free Formula
The entire formula is fragrance-free, making it suitable for those who prefer to avoid added fragrance in their skincare.
My Review
First Impressions
One of the first things I noticed was the packaging. I really like the compact little pot. It’s lightweight, easy to store and feels perfect for travelling. So many cleansing balms come in large tubs that aren’t particularly convenient to pack, whereas this feels much more practical.
The price point also immediately appealed to me. Most of the cleansing balms I use regularly sit in the premium or luxury category, so it was refreshing to see a budget-friendly option from a brand I already trust.
Texture and Application
If you’re expecting something similar to the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, you’ll be surprised. This is a much firmer balm.
It’s not the soft, buttery texture that you can effortlessly scoop out with your fingertips. Instead, it’s quite solid and you almost need to scrape or break it up slightly as you pick it up from the pot.
That said, once it comes into contact with the skin, it melts down beautifully. The balm transforms into a lightweight silky oil that glides across the face with ease. It feels smooth, comfortable and gives plenty of slip for a good facial massage without feeling heavy or greasy.
It actually feels much more elegant on the skin than I expected.
How Well Does It Remove Makeup?
This is where the CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm really impressed me.
Some cleansing balms seem to dilute very quickly when water is added. This keeps it’s balmy texture and you can see the makeup suspended in the milky phase, and I found I found makeup broke down and lifts away incredibly quickly.
Foundation, concealer, SPF and general daily grime all seem to dissolve almost instantly, making the cleansing process feel effortless.
I tend to massage it onto dry skin as my first cleanse and then remove it with a warm damp face cloth. Afterwards, my skin feels clean, soft and comfortable, without any feeling of tightness or dryness.
For me, this is exactly what a cleansing balm should do.
The One Thing I Don’t Love
The smell. Now, I appreciate that this is a fragrance-free product, and generally speaking that’s a positive thing. However, because there is no fragrance masking the raw ingredients, you are left with the natural scent of the formula itself.
And honestly, I don’t particularly enjoy it. To me, it smells quite plasticky and quite ‘chemical’. It’s difficult to describe exactly, but it’s not the kind of scent that makes you want to linger over your cleansing routine.
In fact, I’d probably say it’s the strongest-smelling fragrance-free CeraVe product I’ve tried. The good news is that the scent disappears as soon as you’ve rinsed it away, and it doesn’t affect performance at all.
However, if you’re someone who loves cleansing balms because of the sensory experience, this probably won’t be for you. Products like Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm or Perricone MD’s cleansing balms feel luxurious partly because of their beautiful aromas. This doesn’t offer that same experience.
This is much more about functionality than indulgence.
In fact, the smell is the reason this won’t be joining the products in my Best Cleansers edit. I think it’s a really good cleanser and I’d happily recommend it, but when I’m choosing my absolute favourites, the overall experience matters just as much as the results. If the scent was a little more pleasant, this would probably be a different story.
CeraVe Cleanser Balm vs Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
I can imagine a lot of people wondering how this compares to Elemis because it’s one of the most popular cleansing balms on the market.
The biggest difference is the overall experience. Elemis feels luxurious from start to finish. The texture is softer, the scent is gorgeous and using it feels like a mini spa treatment.
CeraVe feels much more straightforward. The texture is firmer, the scent isn’t particularly pleasant and the focus is entirely on effective cleansing and skin barrier support.
When it comes to actually removing makeup, however, I don’t think there’s a huge gap between them. The Elemis balm definitely wins on experience, but the CeraVe balm performs exceptionally well considering the difference in price.
Who Is It Best For?
I think this cleansing balm is particularly well suited to:
- Anyone looking for an affordable cleansing balm
- Sensitive skin types
- Fans of fragrance-free skincare
- Those who prioritise performance over luxury
- Frequent travellers who want a compact cleansing product
- Anyone looking for an effective first cleanse
If you’re buying a cleansing balm purely for the ritual and sensory experience, there are better options available.
If you’re buying it to remove makeup effectively whilst supporting your skin barrier, it’s an excellent choice.
Is CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm Worth It?
Yes, I think it is. What impressed me most was how quickly and effectively it breaks down makeup whilst still feeling gentle and hydrating on the skin.
The smell isn’t great and I think that’s something potential buyers should be aware of, but for me it isn’t enough to outweigh the positives. It performs extremely well, contains skin-friendly ingredients and comes at a very accessible price point.
Final Verdict
The CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm isn’t the most luxurious cleansing balm I’ve ever used, but it might be one of the most practical.
It removes makeup quickly, feels lovely on the skin once melted down, leaves skin soft and comfortable and offers excellent value for money. Would I choose it over Elemis when I’m in the mood for a spa-like cleansing experience? No.
Would I happily reach for it when I want an effective, affordable and fragrance-free cleansing balm that gets the job done? Absolutely. If you can overlook the plasticky scent, I think this is a really solid addition to the CeraVe range and one that’s well worth considering.
Where to buy it
The CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm is £14 for 36g and available now via the link below (currently on offer for £10.86).
