Does anyone else remember back in the day (maybe 15 years ago), back when we would avoid oil in any beauty product? Everything was oil-free. I mean everything. Oil was a bad word. Especially in skincare. But now, I’m seeking out hydrating facial oils, and even cleansers! There’s been a huge explosion of cleansing oils and balms (which become an oil with your body head), and they do a phenomenal job of cleaning your skin of all impurities.
Now that I’ve figured out all of the tricks for how to get the most out of a cleansing oil, I fully admit that I’m obsessed! I love to try new cleansing options, and have found a few favorites over the last year or so.
Quick note- All of my options today meet my pregnancy safe criteria. They’re also all available at Sephora, which means you can stick them in your cart and have them delivered same day! I’m a big fan of their Beauty Insider Program, and I’ll use my saved up points to buy even more cleansers from the Rewards Bazaar! It’s perfect for either trying something new or getting a favorite mini product for travel. I know I’ve gotten minis of the Elemis balm below from the Rewards Bazaar in the past. It’s just the right size for a weekend away!
Note, I always double cleanse, following up my cleansing oil/balm with a gentle facial cleanser.
My Favorite Cleansing Oils/Balms
EADEM Dew Dream- Hydrating Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
MARA Chia + Moringa® Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil
I didn’t love this oil when I first used it. I was a little confused by it, until I realized that it is a little less forgiving than the others and you need to have zero water when you first start to apply. I have dry hands, a dry face, and use 3 pumps into my palm, which I then spread onto my entire face. I scrub with my dry hands, and it really does remove all of my makeup! It has fruit enzymes, and I think they do lightly exfoliate my skin when I’m using this oil. This oil has had the biggest impact of the four on the size and prominence of my pores on and around my nose. This bottle is the one from next to my bathroom sink, you can see I need to repurchase soon!
Dermalogica Precleanse Cleansing Oil
I know I’ve had estheticians use this cleansing oil on me in a facial, and chances are you have as well! This is a very gentle but effective oil cleanser. I do feel like I need scrub my face slightly longer with follow up gentle face wash, but it’s not significantly longer. I do think this is the best option for when my face is a little red/irritated (I have mild rosacea), and it’s also the one I reach for when I have a lot of waterproof makeup on.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
This cleansing balm really is a classic. It’s been around for forever, and there are variations with different scents, but I always go back to the original. I love that it melts so quickly into an oil, and really removes everything possible from my face so easily. It’s also really easy to travel with because it is solid. I have many sizes of it!
While all 4 of the products I’ve featured above meet my pregnancy and nursing safe criteria, there are a lot more options from Sephora! Here’s a list of all the pregnancy and nursing safe cleansing balms and oils at Sephora! I’ve verified their ingredients as of 7/13/2025.
Pregnancy Safe Makeup Removing Balms and Oils from Sephora
• Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Get Unblocked Makeup-Removing Cleansing Oil
• Biossance Antioxidant Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil + Squalane
• Caudalie Vinoclean Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil
• Clinique Take The Day Off Charcoal Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
• Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil
• Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
• DAMDAM Silk Rice Makeup-Removing Cleansing Oil
• Dieux Ethereal Instant Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil
• Dermalogica Precleanse Cleansing Oil
• Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic Creamy Cleansing Oil
• Drunk Elephant Slaai™ Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser
• EADEM Dew Dream- Hydrating Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
• Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
• Glossier Milky Jelly Cleansing Balm & Makeup Remover
• Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm & Makeup Remover
• Hourglass Equilibrium Transformative Cleansing Balm
• IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
• KORA Organics Active Algae Calming Cleansing Balm
• MARA Chia + Moringa® Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil
• NUDESTIX NUDESKIN Citrus Clean Balm & Make-Up Melt
• Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm Moisturizing Makeup Remover
• The INKEY List Oat Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
• Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
What makeup removing balms and oils have you tried? Do you have a favorite?
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Sponsored Post: This post in a collaboration with Sephora. The product choices and opinions are all my own.