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Clinique Take The Day Off Charcoal Cleansing Balm for combination skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Clinique Take The Day Off Charcoal Cleansing Balm
  • Charcoal
  • Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
  • Ethylhexyl Palmitate
  • Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
  • Tocopherol

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few pre-cleansers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 excellent makeup removal for your combination skin, as ethylhexyl palmitate and carthamus tinctorius seed oil effectively dissolve impurities without causing irritation.
  • Charcoal powder provides moderate benefits for oily shine by absorbing excess sebum, aligning well with your main goal.
  • The formula is safe for your combination skin, containing no harsh ingredients and posing no risk of irritation.

How to apply

  • Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away excess oil.
  • Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser to effectively break down heavy makeup and dirt.
  • Gently wipe the makeup remover across your face using a soft cotton pad, avoiding harsh rubbing.
  • Use the makeup remover on completely dry skin to help dissolve surface oils and impurities best.
  • Avoid direct contact with the eyes while using this makeup remover.

People Say

★4.1Overall rating based on 400+ reviews

This balm is widely praised as a powerful first cleanse for oily and acne-prone skin, effectively dissolving stubborn makeup while using Japanese charcoal to detoxify pores. Users frequently note a messy trade-off, as the black formula can stain sinks and washcloths, and some find it slightly more drying than the original cult-classic version.

Highlights

  • Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
    • “melts makeup effortlessly”
    • “removed waterproof mascara”
    • “dissolves tenacious eye makeup”
    • “takes off 98% of makeup”
  • Messy application Mostly Mentioned
    • “stained my hands”
    • “messy in the sink”
    • “leaves black residue on towel”
    • “looks like smudged mascara”
  • Deep pore cleansing Often Mentioned
    • “pores feel clean”
    • “helps with blackheads”
    • “detoxifies skin”
    • “unclogs pores”
  • Rinses clean Often Mentioned
    • “no oily residue”
    • “rinses off completely”
    • “emulsifies quickly”
    • “leaves skin soft not greasy”
  • Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
    • “love that it is fragrance free”
    • “no scent”
    • “great for sensitive skin”
    • “doesn't irritate”
  • Drying effect Sometimes Noted
    • “more drying than original”
    • “skin felt tight”
    • “stripped my skin”
    • “not for dry skin”
  • Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
    • “burned my eyes”
    • “cloudy vision”
    • “irritated my eyes”
    • “stings if it gets in eyes”
  • Price Rarely Noted
    • “pricey for a cleanser”
    • “expensive”
    • “small jar for the price”
    • “waste of money”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, clinique.com, adorebeauty.com.au, nykaa.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Clinique Take The Day Off Charcoal Cleansing Balm a great fit for combination skin?

This cleansing balm is a great fit for your combination skin because ethylhexyl palmitate and safflower seed oil effectively dissolve makeup and impurities without causing irritation. Charcoal powder also helps control oily shine by absorbing excess sebum.

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?

Ethylhexyl palmitate and carthamus tinctorius seed oil make this cleanser a great fit for combination skin because they dissolve impurities without causing irritation. Charcoal powder also helps by absorbing excess oily shine.

What does Activated Charcoal do for combination skin?

Activated Charcoal helps draw out excess oil and impurities while keeping dry areas balanced, making it a good match for combination skin. This type of product needs gentle cleansing ingredients that clear pores without stripping away natural moisture.

What does Safflower Seed Oil do for combination skin?

Safflower seed oil helps keep combination skin smooth and may help protect against early aging from sun exposure. This oil is a poor fit for combination skin because it lacks the lightweight hydration and balanced oil control that this skin type needs.

Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2020International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This makeup remover goes in your evening routine as the first step before your regular cleanser. It helps melt away makeup and impurities while charcoal absorbs oily shine.

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser and retinol treatment. It gently dissolves impurities without irritation, making it safe to use alongside active ingredients.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this makeup remover in the evening as the first step of your routine. It is a great fit for your combination skin because it dissolves makeup and impurities easily while charcoal absorbs oily shine.

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin because it has a safe formula with no harsh ingredients and poses no risk of irritation. It effectively dissolves impurities without irritation, though some reviewers do mention a moderate drying effect.

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Soap-and-water wash and superactive charcoal paste applied topically at various times after T-2 toxin exposure effectively reduced skin lesion severity in swine compared to untreated controls.

    Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, 1989

  • Safflower oil body-human epidermal growth factor microgel emulsions mixed with xanthan gum enhance transdermal absorption, regulate inflammation, accelerate angiogenesis, and promote re-epithelialization and remodeling in full-layer skin wounds in rats.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2022

  • Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.

    Life, 2023

  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Ingredients

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Synthetic Wax, Peg-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Charcoal Powder, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Water, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

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