This K-Beauty Cleansing Balm is my winter hero for hydrated, clear skin

Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast or a newbie, two words you’ll hear over and over again are “double cleansing.” The process is simple, it quite literally consists of double cleansing your face oil based formula and follow with a cream or gel-like cleanser. Oil attracts oil (aka sebum), and cleansing with an oil-based cleanser effectively removes makeup, dirt, and other pore-clogging debris. This is, however, only if you are applying a proper dual cleaning solution.

After trying dozens of makeup remover balms, I finally found my holy grail: Dr. Althea’s Pure Grinding Balm Cleanser – and it’s under $30 on Amazon. For me, few things are as satisfying as removing makeup with a cleanser, and the sorbet-like texture of this pick is heavenly. My makeup melts off in seconds, but it’s the soothing hydration my skin feels afterwards that keeps me coming back.

Dr. Althea is a K-beauty brand known for affordable yet effective skin care solutions. While some makeup remover balms are loaded with oils that can leave skin feeling like a greasy donut (and not in a good way), I never feel an oily residue with this Dr. Althea pick. It only takes a quarter-sized amount to effectively melt away makeup or sunscreen. And yes, it’s safe to remove eye makeup too.

As someone with sensitive skin, it doesn’t take much to leave my face noticeably irritated. The simplest of ingredients can enhance my naturally pink skin, so trust me when I say that this is the only cleansing balm I’ve seen noticeable improvement in. It’s partly because of madecassoide – a plant-based anti-inflammatory ingredient that soothes irritated skin while offering a host of anti-aging benefits.

I could go on and on about the rest of the skincare benefits of this product, such as the paraben- and fragrance-free, vegan and cruelty-free formula, but I’ll leave it at that. If you can’t get away with a makeup remover or are tired of your current skincare offerings, this K-beauty pick is a total winner. Makeup and dirt won’t really go away unless you double cleanse, and it’s crucial to make sure your skin can absorb serums and other facial treatments.

I don’t believe in spending hundreds just to find an effective formula. There are so many amazing skincare heroes that are under $50, including my favorite cleansing balm. Try it yourself – you won’t be disappointed!

get it Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Balm cleanser because $23 on Amazon!