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Deep Moisture Cleansing Balm

Moisturizing balm cleanser + makeup remover · For dry skin

Size
Multi-product recurring refills →

Free U.S. shipping on $75+

THE FORMULA

A rich, buttery balm-to-oil cleanser that melts away makeup, sunscreen and daily buildup while cocooning skin in lasting moisture.

Formulated using gentle botanicals that dissolve impurities with a whisper-soft lather, leaving skin soft and comfortable. The light natural vanilla aroma makes every cleanse feel cozy and restorative.

  • Ideal for dry, sensitive skin
  • Ultra-gentle formula free of synthetic fragrance and essential oils
  • No double cleanse required, just massage and rinse

Key Actives

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GRAPESEED OIL: A lightweight, antioxidant-rich oil that nourishes and gently dissolves makeup and impurities without stripping the skin.

QUILLAJA & SAPONARIA EXTRACTS: Natural, plant-based cleansers that gently purify without stripping the skin.

GLYCERIN: A powerful humectant that draws in moisture to keep skin hydrated and soft.

Ingredients

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Activist blends nature and science: beautiful botanicals + clinically-proven actives = superior results.

  • Only the most beneficial and effective ingredients — no cheap fillers.
  • Free of 1,000+ potential toxins including phthalates, parabens and more (details here).

INGREDIENTS: Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Quillaja Saponaria Wood Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Extract, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, VanillaPlanifolia Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract.

Packaging may vary slightly; ingredients listed above are accurate.

Sampling + Returns

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Please try this product with a sample or Trial Kit (which comes with a free $25 gift card) before you commit to a full size. We promote sampling as part of our return prevention philosophy.

anti-corporate power / pro-people + planet
anti-waste — pro-climate
anti-bullshit — pro-transparency
anti-greenwashing — pro-science
anti-perfection — pro-aging well
anti-hype — pro-integrity
anti-corporate power — pro-people + planet
anti-waste — pro-climate
anti-greenwashing — pro-science
anti-perfection — pro-aging well
anti-corporate power — pro-people + planet
anti-waste — pro-climate
anti-bullshit — pro-transparency
anti-greenwashing — pro-science
anti-perfection — pro-aging well
anti-corporate power — pro-people + planet
anti-waste — pro-climate
anti-greenwashing — pro-science
anti-perfection — pro-aging well
anti-corporate power — pro-people + planet
anti-waste — pro-climate
anti-bullshit — pro-transparency
anti-greenwashing — pro-science
anti-perfection — pro-aging well
anti-corporate power — pro-people + planet
anti-waste — pro-climate
anti-greenwashing — pro-science
anti-perfection — pro-aging well

The antidote to dry, sensitized skin

This soft and supple cleanser, free of essential oils and strong fragrance, was designed for our most sensitive customers. It has a delicate, warm vanilla aroma and features a nourishing oil blend that imparts long-lasting moisture, making it ideal for dry skin types.

It perfectly slippy texture removes makeup and impurities in one step — no double cleanse required — leaving skin soft, dewy, plump and moisturized.

How to use

It's essential to apply Deep Moisture Cleansing Balm before skin is wet. Starting with dry hands and face, dip your finger into the jar to scoop a small amount, then massage gently over the skin, focusing on areas that need extra attention.

You’ll notice the balm melts into an oil as it dissolves makeup, sunscreen and impurities. Next, add warm water to transform the formula into a milky emulsion, and rinse using a warm, wet cloth. Your skin is left clean, soft and dewy.

Customers praised this moisturizing cleanser for its luxurious texture and effectiveness on dry, sensitive skin. Many noted it "smells divine" and removes makeup well while leaving skin soft and hydrated. Most loved the gentle, non-stripping formula. One customer experienced a reaction to fragrance components, noting it may not suit all sensitive skin types.

  • 5 stars: 31 (94%)
  • 4 stars: 1 (3%)
  • 3 stars: 1 (3%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.
K
Kailyn F. (New Windsor, NY)
Beautifully locks in moisture

I have dry, fair skin so in the summer it’s gets hit hard by all the sunscreen and washing. This cleanses well and leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean without feeling stripped.

B
Brandy M. (Garden Grove, CA)
Very gentle and smells devine

I live in a hot dry climate, so my skin gets dry and sensitive very easily. This cleanser is the gentlest I’ve found, but still effective, and definitely moisturizing.

T
TB (St Louis, MO)
Smells amazing!

I enjoyed using this in the trial kit, but ultimately preferred the blue cleanser, however, the Deep Moisture Cleansing Balm smells fantastic and does feel really good to the skin.

M
Miguel

I love using this more than any cleanser ive ever used. The consistency makes it very easy to spresd but more than that it just really feels luxurious. I also love the smell which is very natural and subtle. It leaves my skin with a killer dewy glow afterwords to.

S
Sarah B. (Virginia Beach, VA)
Outstanding

I love Activist. I have nightmare skin and have spent a small fortune trying to soothe it. Activist just works, quietly and without fanfare. Allison is a wonderful human being and has helped me to come up with the best regimen for me, especially since I have a severely limited income. It means a lot to buy from an ethical company run by a caring human-- especially when the products actually work. I'm so happy to have found Activist.

G
Grace M. (Dayton, OH)
My favorite cleanser!

This cleanser is perfect for me! It moisturizes my skin while cleaning it! It smells good and doesn’t irritate my face even when I’m extra dry!

M
Miranda (Pinellas Park, FL)
Love the moisturizer!

Rich, creamy, and melts into the skin! I love that it is not thick and it makes my skin feel so hydrated

J
Jennifer P. (Alanson, MI)
Great products

These products feel luxurious!

S
Shannon S. (Portland, OR)
Balm for Dry Skin

The cleansing balm is an outstanding way to care for my dry skin. My face is able to feel moisturized after it is cleaned. Great product in combo with the Active Infusion Oil. I highly recommend!

J
JoAnn

Love this “safe” cleanser- also super moisturizing!

W
Wendy h.g. (Cincinnati, OH)
Best products!!

I love every product I have bought from this wonderful company.. especially the DEEP MOISTURE CLEANSING BALM!! I bought the sample set to try everything.. it’s perfect for travel!

L
Laura J. (Oklahoma City, OK)
Almost perfect

The texture and smell of this product are fantastic and I did find it to be moisturizing. I wish it had more surfactant in it, it really didn't lather up at all and made it difficult to feel like I was getting my face clean. Several times when following up with a second cleanser or toner, makeup would still come off on the washcloth meaning the first cleanse hadn't removed it all.

C
Colleen F. (Ardmore, PA)
Cleansing Balm love

Luxurious balm that removes my makeup well, smells divine, and softens my skin. What more can you ask for?

A
Alexis C. (Hayward, CA)
Really great for dry skin and makeup removal

I’m on my first refill of this product, I really like it. I have naturally dry skin and this is very gentle but still feels like it is cleaning well. I also like it for gentle makeup remover

T
Tamara V. (Chaska, MN)
Great stuff!

I'm 59 and recently moved from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Chaska, Minnesota. My skin was feeling very dry! This has been a real skin saver. It removes my waterproof eye makeup easily and my skin feels fantastic!

S
Susan W. (Austin, TX)
Luxurious moisturizing cleanser

I've used these types of balms before, but this one doesn't leave an oily residue. My skin feels clean and smooth.

E
Elizabeth S. (Edgewater, MD)
Perfect for dry skin

I can use this cleanser at the end of every day, annd even with the driest winter air, my skin feels soft and hydrated. Does a great job removing make up. I love the way my skin has improved with the four step Activist routine.

L
Lila L. (Reno, NV)
Sustainable and works great : ]

I have been trying to replace pieces of my skincare routine with zero-waste/sustainable brands, and this cleansing balm works fantastic to clean my makeup off and not feel stripping. It also smells very fresh and clean, not hard chemically or too fragrant, which I was worried about with the natural ingredients. Thank you!

K
Kaylin H.H. (Portland, OR)
Best cleanser I’ve ever used

This cleanser has honestly transformed my skin. I have very fickle sensitive/combo skin, and most cleaners dry it out or break me out. Or they just don’t show any results. This stuff is gold. It feels so lovely on your skin, melts away makeup like a charm, rinses off clean & leaves behind a thin nourishing layer of goodness. Not to mention it has evened my skin tone & given me a soft glow. I don’t feel like I need a moisturizer afterward, but I still use Activist’s precious oils at night because it’s equally amazing!!

A
Aubrey S. (Arlington, WA)

Deep Moisture Cleansing Balm

M
Maria P. (Naperville, IL)
Love this product!

This cleansing balm is so smooth on my skin, does not have a fragrant smell, and rubs in so easily on my face. I had never tried this product before, but am really happy I decided to try it. It works wonders when taking off my makeup!

S
Sanny v.H. (Haiku, HI)
That´s exactly what it is!

Deeply moisturising! I am obsessed... read more about it on our blog. It's on our favourites list...
https://ecocouple.blog/2020/10/05/top-choicessustainable-conscious-beauty-products/

R
Rachel (State College, PA)
Not for me

I saw some reviews suggesting this would be okay for sensitive skin. Alas, I had a reaction to it - probably because of the fragrant components. It doesn't matter if fragrance is natural or synthetic. Also I should add that cleansing balms and oils are not true cleansers - they're more like makeup remover.

Thanks for your feedback! Deep Moisture Cleansing Balm does not contain essential oils or fragrances of any type. You might have had a reaction to the shea butter, grapeseed oil or another ingredient. And you're right, this is a different sort of cleanser that leaves oils behind to moisturize the skin instead of the squeaky-clean feeling of a foaming cleanser. Thank you for trying it!

H
Hanna (Avon, CO)
Soo luxurious

I live in Colorado, so it's dry year-round, and the weathers especially harsh to my face in the winter when I'm outside skiing. I swear there's not enough moisturizer in the world for how dry I get in the winter. This cleansing balm is so gentle and moisturizing for my windburned/sunburned/dry skin, I love it! My face feels soft even before I reach for my face cream. Will be purchasing over and over again!

A
Amanda C.
Excellent for sensitive skin!

Amazing cleansing balm, especially for my more reactive, sensitive skin. Rinses clean, yet I love removing with a warm cloth. Such a luxe experience!

m
mary t.
best cleansing balm ever

I tried my fair share of cleaning balm, but activist cleansing balm is the most silky feeling well cleansing and easiest rinsible balm I ever tried...have 2 backups to not run out of it

K
Kim M.
Love!

I bought this for colder seasons here in NE that could last until May. I've used it a handful times when I wore more full(er) makeup and didn't disappoint at all. Same great experience as the oil cleanser but only richer texture. Love how soft this balm is too which I prefer to the hard balms. Works really well, removes all the makeup (stubborn mascara, eyeliner and lipstains). This one also washes off clean with water like the oil cleanser and leaves the face clean but soft and moisturised. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone that likes using balm cleansers.

We're so happy you love the Cleansing Balm! Thank you!

J
Jenna L.
Cleansing Balm

Incredibly nourishing and hydrating cleanser.

A
Allison B.L.
Cleansing balm sample

I have many sensitivities to both chemical and natural products that can affect my endocrine system, even when applied topically. I took several of my skin care products to the clinic where I get tested, and of the products I brought in, this is the only one that I tested well for. I used it for the first time that evening, and WOW—the best cleansing balm I’ve ever used. The texture is amazing, and my super dry skin feels so happy after using it. I immediately bought the full size product

M
Mags
Love the jelly like texture

I use this nightly and in the shower to remove makeup, it does a great job of getting mascara and other makeup off. Leaves my skin so soft I often skip moisturizer.

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