JUNO & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm 10 Ingredients Makeup Remover 85g / 3.0oz

Product Information

By the end of the day, I can feel it. I’ve grown tired of my makeup just as it’s grown tired of me. One of the coolest things about cleansing balms is how the consistency changes from the container to the palm of your hand. Our overall winner starts with a firm consistency when it's initially scooped out, but once rubbed into the skin, it becomes smooth and milky, and it practically melts away makeup in less than a minute. They’re tired of unrealistic beauty standards for “perfect,” poreless skin. JUNOCO is the second wave. Their stance is inherently inclusive, minimalist, and sustainable: if you make a product, it should be good for everybody—including the earth.

Honestly, when I first saw the balm I was a slightly intimated. Would it be hard to use? Would it really remove all my makeup, even mascara?! You don’t have to use them for just cleansing, either. “I love applying a balm to dry skin and leaving it on for 20 minutes as a mask to give my dry skin a little TLC,” Tavernise says. While we (and most of the beauty community) highly recommend it, there are a few things that could be improved on. First, it’s not ideal for breaking down waterproof makeup—it requires some rubbing to fully remove mascara and stubborn makeup. The texture can also be slightly clumpy—when you apply it to your skin, it doesn’t melt evenly. However, we think the pros far outweigh the cons, so it’s absolutely a product we recommend. Look at that, I guess I’ve found my long-term solution for removing makeup sustainably. Bye bye makeup wipes.

Cleansing balms in general are great for people with dry skin due to their hydrating formulas, but they’re certainly not all created equal. While some have drier, more crumbly textures, others—like this one—are richer and more oily. Formulated with a blend of nourishing oils, like avocado, jojoba, and clove leaf oils, it’s no surprise that this formula is pretty oily on the skin. The cleansing balm only has 10 ingredients but heavily depends on its star ingredient, Japanese Barley Magic. This particular ingredient is a source of vitamins and antioxidants to help regulate the skin’s melanin production.

While this cleansing balm is free of synthetic fragrances, it’s naturally scented with ginger root, mandarin, and neroli oils, so expect a fresh, albeit strong, scent when you twist this skincare savior open. Before ditching your tried-and-true makeup, though, consider switching up your skincare routine to include a cleansing balm. After all, these cleansers are top-tier when it comes to removing long-lasting makeup. We recommend this splurge with the caveat that it may not fully remove all makeup; however, the delivery system, quality of ingredients, and the way it left our skin feeling is worth the trial.This JUNOCO Cleansing Cookie is SO soft! It feels amazing on the skin and is not irritating at all. Where many cleansing balms begin firm, this one is creamy from the get-go, which our tester adores. “I was really impressed with how soft this felt on my fingers and face,” she says. “I felt like it was the perfect balance of oil and balm and was very effective at removing sunscreen and makeup — even waterproof. Rub-proof graphic eyeliner didn't stand a chance against this cleansing balm.”

The stand out (so far) is the cleansing balm with only ten ingredients but delivers a perfect cleanse. Juno is founded in California and is 100% focussed on Gen Z (approx up to age 25) hence a big TikTok presence and a collaboration with Spongebob Squarepants (waitlist of 63K apparently) that put them in front of the eyes of their target audience. It’s been growth ever since and can only be a matter of time before its ready for sale. Juno Skin Review Effectiveness aside, this cleansing balm comes in a tube, which makes it convenient for daily use as well as during travel. You don’t need a little spatula to scoop it out — just squeeze and go.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. I personally like to use this cleansing balm as the first step in my double cleansing routine. I grab a lightweight cleanser, like the Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser by The Inkey List, or my Makeup Eraser Cloth to really remove every bit of residue that’s left, which is basically nothing thanks to the balm. So if you’re anything like me, then I recommend taking these simple steps before adding new skincare to your routine: When you start cleaning, and you use a product that smells fresh, doesn’t your space feels clean right away? That’s the feeling I have with this cleansing balm, lol. However, if you’re not really into scents, I think this can be a little overpowering for you.

Rennie Dyball is an award-winning author who began her career at PEOPLE in 2002 as a reporter and remained on staff as a writer and editor until 2017; she now regularly freelances for the brand. She covers a wide range of topics from beauty to pets to housewares. That said, there are a few ingredients to steer clear of, too — primarily depending on your skin type. “If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for non-comedogenic products,” Tavernise says, noting to avoid coconut oil, lanolin, algae extract, and isopropyl myristate — which she says are great for dry skin but can clog pores and worsen breakouts on oily complexions. “If you have sensitive skin, avoid any balms with ingredients that can dry out and irritate the skin like alcohol and salt.”Cleansing balms are cleansers that use oils and emollients to remove dirt, makeup, and buildup from the day without the need for harsh scrubbing," says board-certified dermatologist Carmin Castilla. "They are able to cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural oils and damaging your skin barrier." While most skin types will still want to go in with your usual face wash after using a cleansing balm, these formulas make the entire getting unready process so much easier. That’s not to say that cleansing balms aren’t beneficial for dry skin, too, though. “Since cleansing balms are rich in nourishing oils, they are especially great for dry skin, and you do not have to worry about them drying out or stripping the skin,” Dr. Hammerman says. Like most cleansing balms, it starts with a firm consistency and, once rubbed between fingers, transforms into a more massageable texture. “As soon as I start rubbing it into my skin, it practically melts away and starts removing my makeup,” marvels one tester. “This balm effortlessly dissolves my makeup, even after I've baked and caked my face. I usually prefer to double cleanse; however, this is effective enough to be used alone.”