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Don't damage your skin with aggressive makeup wipes. These gentle balms from brands like Juno & Co. and Clinique will melt away makeup.

My decision to switch to cleansing balms was influenced not only by seeing different types all over social media, but also a visit to my dermatologist, who said the wipes may be the culprit behind my very annoying adult acne flareups. 

Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, a Mississippi-based board-certified dermatologist, told HuffPost she prefers cleansing balms over makeup-remover wipes for multiple reasons. 

″[Makeup remover wipes] do not properly cleanse your skin or remove makeup, which leaves dirt and residue on your skin and leads to breakouts. They also are damaging to our skin barrier. They tend to be rough and aggressive — the act of wiping and rubbing is the worst — which can lead to inflammation and redness,” she said.

Since I have sensitive, combination skin, I’m also cautious about using products on my face that are heavily scented or have a ton of drying alcohols, which of course, many makeup remover wipes also tend to have. According to Zubritsky, these ingredients can do more harm than good to your skin. The safest bet? Go with a cleansing balm instead. 

“Cleansing balms are my go-to for removing makeup. These tend to be more effective and gentle on the skin,” she said. “They are typically oil-based, which help to gently dissolve makeup. Cleansing balms also do not strip away the skin barrier and can even nourish the skin.” 

Below, we rounded up five cleansing balms that are good for dissolving makeup, sunscreen, dirt and oils, including one Zubritsky is a huge fan of.

First up on our list is The Inkey List's oat cleansing balm, which Zubritsky recommends. It's vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging. 

"The Inkey List oat cleansing balm is so affordable while still being very effective. It contains oat kernel oil to moisturize and hydrate and colloidal oatmeal to reduce redness and inflammation," Zubritsky said.

Get it from Sephora for $7+ (available in two sizes).

Made with only 10 ingredients, including Japanese pearl barley, vitamin E and orange peel oil, the Juno and Co. Clean 10 balm is suitable for all skin types. It's designed to remove makeup (even waterproof makeup), brighten skin complexions and reduce dark spots.

One of my favorite balms, hands down, is Farmacy Green Clean, which feels like butter on my skin and literally melts away makeup. It contains sunflower and ginger root oils that remove even the most stubborn makeup without stripping your skin, and turmeric and moringa extract, which help get rid of impurities.

Get it from Sephora for $18+ (available in three sizes and in a fragrance-free formula).

A classic in the world of skin care and makeup, Clinique also has a gentle cleansing balm that's suitable for all skin types. It's free of phthalates and easily dissolves makeup and sunscreen.

Get it from Sephora for $15+ (available in three sizes).

This Paula's Choice cleansing balm is great for all skin types, but especially dry skin as it contains jojoba oil, which soothes and conditions skin with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and meadowfoam seed oil that smooths skin and prevents moisture loss with omega-9 fatty acids.

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