Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm for dry skin
Tfc8 Trigger Factor Complex 8
Squalane
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil
Coconut Oil
Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil
Superior
- HighDry Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best pre-cleansers for dry skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Excellent for your dry skin, this cleansing balm effectively removes makeup with Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Coconut Oil, while Squalane and Avocado Oil provide deep emollient and occlusive actions to reduce water loss and smooth your skin.
- The formula also supports your dry or flaky skin concerns with Sunflower Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, and Squalane, which offer significant moisturizing benefits.
- Safety is well-managed, as Bisabolol and Tocopherol are present to soothe your dry skin, and there are no harsh or irritating ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover in your PM routine every evening to gently clean your face. Always pair with a gentle cleanser afterward.
- Apply this makeup remover as a pre-cleanser step before using your regular cleanser and moisturizer.
- Gently wipe a small amount of makeup remover across your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid any harsh rubbing on dry or flaky skin.
- Apply the makeup remover directly onto dry skin to easily dissolve makeup without stripping your natural moisture. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Avoid direct contact with your eyes and do a patch test before first use. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users describe this balm as a luxurious, spa-like treatment that effectively melts away makeup while leaving dry or mature skin feeling exceptionally soft, hydrated, and plump rather than stripped. A minority of users find the heavy glass packaging cumbersome and note that the rich formula can leave a film if not removed thoroughly with the included muslin cloth, making it less ideal for those preferring a quick rinse-off cleanser.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels balanced and hydrated”
- “leaves skin peachy clean and conditioned”
- “nourishes and hydrates for soothed skin”
- “never felt stripped.”
Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
- “decadent and buttery texture”
- “melts into the skin effortlessly”
- “feels like a luxurious treat”
- “texture is true heaven.”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “not worth the money”
- “definitely on the pricier end”
- “can't justify the price”
- “expensive for a cleanser.”
Effective makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “mascara and liquid liner literally melted off”
- “removes every trace of the day”
- “dissolves stubborn makeup”
- “effortlessly removes makeup.”
Gentle and fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types”
- “very gentle yet cleanses everything”
- “odorless formula”
- “calms as it cleanses.”
Requires cloth removal Sometimes Noted
- “leaves a white residue until I use the cloth”
- “requires a second step to remove”
- “didn't fully wash off with warm water”
- “high-maintenance for me.”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “fogs my eyes”
- “cloudy vision after use”
- “irritated my eyes slightly”
- “struggled with eye makeup removal.”
Heavy packaging Rarely Noted
- “packaging is way too big”
- “heavy glass jar”
- “digging finger into a pot”
- “not travel friendly.”
Sources: lovi.care, cultbeauty.com, sephora.co.uk, lovelyskin.com, beautytheshop.com, augustinusbader.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm one of the best fits for dry skin?
Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm is one of the best fits for dry skin because it effectively removes makeup using sunflower seed oil and coconut oil while using squalane and avocado oil to lock in moisture and smooth your skin. Bisabolol and vitamin E help soothe dryness safely without harsh or irritating ingredients.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin?
Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm is a great fit for dry skin because it uses Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and coconut oil to remove makeup while squalane and avocado oil lock in moisture to keep your skin smooth. Bisabolol and tocopherol also help calm your skin, and the formula avoids harsh ingredients that might cause irritation.
What does Tfc8 do for dry skin?
TFC8 is unlikely to be the right fit for dry skin unless it is paired with rich, nourishing ingredients and moisture-locking barriers that stop water loss and keep the skin soft.
What does Squalane do for dry skin?
Squalane helps keep dry skin soft and smooth by acting as a hydrating agent that locks in moisture and prevents water loss. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may protect the skin from damage while improving overall hydration.
Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 2012Molecules, 2009
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleansing balm goes in your evening and weekly routines before your regular cleanser, as it effectively removes makeup while nourishing dry skin with oils and squalane. Its safe and gentle formula helps soothe dry skin without irritation.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your routine before applying your retinol treatment. Using a gentle cleanser that locks in moisture helps reduce dry, flaky skin concerns that often come with using retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening and as part of your weekly routine to effectively take off makeup while keeping your dry skin soft and smooth. It uses nourishing oils and squalane to help lock in moisture and prevent dryness without causing irritation.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleansing balm is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin. It uses nourishing oils and squalane that help melt away makeup while keeping your skin calm and smooth.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil improved wrinkle grading, reduced nasolabial fold area and volume, and increased skin elasticity in twenty healthy volunteers over 12 weeks without allergic reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Overnight virgin coconut oil application provides a skin protective effect against damage and increased TEWL from frequent alcohol-based hand sanitizer usage in 60 volunteers, resulting in a 25% increase in perceived moisture content compared to the control group.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical treatment with SSFAO 50% or avocado oil increased wound contraction, reepithelialization, collagen density, and tensile strength while showing anti-inflammatory activity compared to petroleum jelly in rats.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013
Ingredients
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Wax Seed Sunflower Wax Seed, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Squalane, C10-18 Triglycerides, Phytosterols, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Water, Lecithin Soybean, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Glycine, Lysine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Oligopeptide-4, Oligopeptide-177
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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