Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Purifying for dry sensitive skin

High
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few pre-cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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
- Offers moderate suitability for your dry and sensitive skin as Cetyl Ethylhexanoate and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride effectively dissolve makeup and impurities, while Oenothera Biennis Oil and Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil provide essential hydration and soothing effects.
- Glycerin and other humectants further support skin hydration, though the formulation may not deliver optimal results for all aspects of dryness.
- The product is safe for your skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients, posing no risk of irritation.
How to apply
- Use your makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3×/week daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. It prepares your face for a thorough double-cleansing routine.
- Gently press a small amount onto your skin using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing to protect your sensitive and flaky skin.
- Apply the makeup remover on completely dry skin to ensure better tolerance and comfort. This prevents any extra irritation for reactive skin types.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your very first use to prevent irritation.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 2.5k+ reviewsThis cleansing balm is widely praised as a "holy grail" for sensitive and acne-prone skin, effectively melting away stubborn makeup without stripping natural oils. Users consistently report that it calms redness and leaves the face feeling soft and hydrated, though a recent formula change regarding its scent has divided some long-time fans. This summary is based on a very large amount of data and should definitely be taken into account.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “Melts makeup instantly”
- “Removes waterproof mascara”
- “Erases everything in seconds”
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “Doesn't sting my eyes”
- “Calms my redness”
- “No irritation at all”
Non-stripping hydration Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels plump”
- “No tight feeling”
- “Leaves face soft”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “Melts like butter”
- “Smooth application”
- “Easy to spread”
Blurry vision Sometimes Noted
- “Foggy eyes after rinsing”
- “Blurs my vision”
- “Oil film in eyes”
Scent change Sometimes Noted
- “Smells like candy”
- “Prefer the old scent”
- “Artificial fragrance smell”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused cystic acne”
- “Clogged my pores”
- “Broke me out”
Price point Rarely Noted
- “A bit expensive”
- “Wish it was cheaper”
- “Pricey for size”
Sources: lovi.care, influencer.com, sokoglam.com, ulta.com, yesstyle.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Banila Co Purifying Cleansing Balm a great fit for dry sensitive skin?
This cleansing balm is a great fit because it gently dissolves makeup while helping keep dry skin hydrated and calm. Its oils and plant extracts work to soothe the skin without causing irritation, making it safe for daily use.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride gently dissolve makeup while Oenothera Biennis Oil and Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil help hydrate and soothe dry sensitive skin. Glycerin further supports moisture, and the safe formula poses no risk of irritation.
What does Centella Asiatica Extract do for dry sensitive skin?
Centella asiatica extract helps calm dry sensitive skin by reducing irritation and improving moisture while protecting the skin barrier. Clinical studies show that regular use noticeably decreases redness and discomfort while keeping the skin soft and hydrated.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
What does Licorice Root Extract do for dry sensitive skin?
Licorice root extract helps calm red and irritated skin while fighting daily oxidative stress. It is unlikely to cause irritation, making it a soothing choice for easily upset skin.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Journal of Medicinal Food, 2020
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser. It helps melt away makeup and impurities while soothing dry and sensitive skin with nourishing oils.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser, followed by your retinol treatment and moisturizer. This product helps dissolve makeup while providing soothing oils and hydration, and it is unlikely to irritate dry sensitive skin when used properly.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This makeup remover is a great fit for your dry sensitive skin and works well as part of your evening routine. It is very unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep your skin calm and hydrated when used daily.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your dry sensitive skin, as it has a very low complaint rate for causing breakouts and is safe for your skin with no risk of irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of an argan oil NLC-based hydrogel formulation increased skin hydration in healthy volunteers over a one-month period through a synergistic effect of NLC occlusion and argan oil hydration.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.
Experimental Dermatology, 2008Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Electrospun poly (vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) patches loaded with evening primrose oil applied to the forearm of volunteers for 6 hours increased skin moisture, with pore size, shape, and fiber diameter influencing oil transport.
Biomaterials Advances, 2022A topical preparation containing urea, sunflower oil, evening primrose oil, wheat germ oil, and sodium pyruvate led to clinical improvement after a month in diverse hyperkeratotic skin conditions except pityriasis lichenoides.
Medicina Cutanea Ibero-latino-americana, 1986Topical application of linseed, evening primrose, and olive oil emulsions accelerated wound closure in rats with excision wounds compared to untreated controls, though via different mechanisms.
Drug Delivery and Translational Research, 2019A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025Incorporating allantoin into argan oil enriched liposomes improved its accumulation in the dermis (~8.7μg/cm(2)) and permeation through the skin (~33μg/cm(2)) compared to conventional liposomes, water dispersion, and a commercial gel.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2016Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Ingredients
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Peg-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Water, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract Leaf, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Acerola Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Zea Mays Oil, Beta-Carotene, Polydiethyleneglycol Adipate Ipdi Copolymer, Acrylates Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates Methoxy Peg-15 Methacrylate Copolymer, Tocopherol
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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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
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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