In any skin care routine the most important step is the very first cleanse. Makeup, sunscreen, sebum and daily pollution are mostly oil based, so the cleanser you choose for the first step can decide how well the rest of your routine works.

Many people wonder whether they should use a cleansing balm or a cleansing oil. In this DODOSKIN guide we clarify the differences between the two textures and how to choose the right option for your skin and lifestyle.

Key Differences Between Cleansing Balm and Cleansing Oil

Cleansing Balm

• Butter or sherbet like solid or semi solid texture
• Melts into a soft oil with skin warmth
• Very effective at removing long wear and waterproof makeup
• Feels gentle on days when your skin barrier is easily irritated
• Great for travel because the formula does not spill

Benefits

• Does not drip or run down the arms while you massage the skin
• Allows a longer and more relaxing massage while it breaks down residue
• Often leaves the skin feeling soft and less tight after cleansing
• Very handy for flights and travel bags

Limitations

• Can feel a little richer during hot and humid seasons
• Usually takes slightly more time to melt and work through the makeup

Cleansing Oil

• Liquid oil texture usually in a pump bottle
• Spreads quickly over the entire face
• Excellent at dissolving sunscreen and excess sebum
• Leaves a lighter finish that many combination and oily skin types enjoy
• Very convenient for a quick yet thorough first cleanse

Benefits

• Very fast at covering the entire face and removing base products
• Outstanding for daily sunscreen removal
• Emulsifies easily and can leave less residue when rinsed well
• Comfortable light finish for oily and combination skin types

Limitations

• If the emulsion step is too short, some residue may remain on the skin
• Pump bottle format is less compact than a solid balm for travel

Both types follow the same basic principle of Like dissolves like. Oil based cleansers bind to oil based impurities on the skin and help lift them away from the surface.

Why Oil Based Cleansers Have Such Strong Cleansing Power

Makeup, sunscreen, silicone based primers and oxidized sebum are all oil friendly substances. Water alone cannot remove them efficiently, which is why a regular water based foam cleanser is often not enough for a complete first cleanse.

Oil based cleansers use emollients and cleansing oils that bond with these impurities. When you massage the product in, the oil phase loosens and dissolves the residue. After that, adding water transforms the mixture into an emulsion that can be rinsed away more easily.

How to Choose by Skin Type

Dry or Sensitive Skin

Recommended Cleansing balm

• Balms usually contain a higher level of emollients that support the skin barrier
• Less tightness and roughness after rinsing
• Comfortable even when you take more time to massage the skin
• Helps remove makeup while still keeping the skin feeling cushioned

In many global skin care communities, people with dry or sensitive skin often report better comfort when they use a balm as their main first cleanser.

Oily or Combination Skin

Recommended Cleansing oil

• Liquid texture spreads easily over areas with more sebum such as the T zone
• Emulsifies quickly and rinses with less residue
• Finishes with a lighter feeling that is comfortable for oily or combination skin
• Very efficient on days when you apply sunscreen every few hours

Since most sunscreens contain oil soluble filters and film formers, a cleansing oil can dissolve them faster and more evenly across the face.

Heavy Makeup Users

Recommended Cleansing balm advantage

• Excellent at loosening waterproof mascara, long wear foundation and lip tints
• Massage feels more cushioned around delicate areas like the eyes and lips
• Helps break down layered base makeup without harsh rubbing

Many professional makeup artists prefer to start with a balm to melt down heavy or stage level makeup before moving on to other cleansing steps.

The Most Important Step for Any Oil Cleanser Emulsification

Concerns that cleansing oils clog pores are usually linked to poor rinsing or incomplete emulsification rather than the oil cleanser itself.

When emulsification is done properly the mixture of oil and impurities can be rinsed off much more thoroughly and the chance of residue and congestion is greatly reduced.

How to Emulsify Correctly

• Start with dry hands and a dry face
• Massage the cleansing oil or melted balm for around twenty to thirty seconds
• Add a small amount of lukewarm water and continue massaging until the texture turns milky
• Rinse with plenty of lukewarm water until the skin feels clean and comfortable

There is no single winner between cleansing balm and cleansing oil.

The best choice depends on your skin type, how much makeup you wear, and the texture you personally enjoy.

• Dry or sensitive skin often prefers a soft and comforting balm
• Oily or combination skin often prefers a light and quick rinsing oil
• Heavy and waterproof makeup usually melts more easily with a balm
• Daily sunscreen and light base products are very easy to remove with an oil

Many skin care lovers keep both textures in their bathroom and simply switch between them depending on the day.

The most important thing is a consistent and gentle cleansing habit that respects your skin barrier while still removing everything that needs to be removed.