Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Review: Is It Worth It?

If you wear makeup or sunscreen, you need this product. That’s the short answer. For years, I battled with stubborn mascara, waterproof eyeliner, and thick layers of SPF that just wouldn’t budge, often leaving my skin red and irritated from all the scrubbing.

The Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm isn’t just another makeup remover; it’s the only one I’ve found that melts everything away effortlessly while leaving my skin feeling soft, calm, and genuinely clean. If you’re tired of the makeup removal fight, this iconic purple tub is your peace treaty.

My Experience With Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

The first time I opened that signature pale purple jar, I was skeptical.

I’d heard the hype for years, but my combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin has been betrayed by “holy grail” products before.

Inside, it’s just a solid, white, waxy-looking balm.

It’s completely unscented, which was the first green flag for my reactive skin.

There’s no spa-like floral smell, no zesty citrus, just… nothing. And honestly, I love that.

My skincare routine doesn’t need to be an aromatherapy session, especially not the part that goes directly on my eyes.

I dug my (very clean, very dry) fingers in and scooped out a small, almond-sized amount. The texture is solid but softens instantly from the warmth of my hands. It’s not greasy like coconut oil; it’s more of a firm, silky solid that immediately transforms into a luxurious, lightweight oil.¹ I applied it straight to my dry face, right over a full day’s worth of foundation, concealer, powder, and, the ultimate test, my stubborn waterproof mascara and liquid eyeliner.

This is where the magic happened. I gently massaged it all over my face, and I could feel the makeup dissolving. There was no pulling, no tugging, no harsh rubbing. I looked in the mirror and saw a terrifying, smeared, raccoon-like version of myself, which is exactly what you want to see. It means the balm is grabbing every last particle. I spent extra time gently rubbing my eyelashes between my thumb and forefinger, and the mascara just… melted.

The second test was the rinse. This is where most oil-based removers fail me, leaving a thick, greasy film that blurs my vision and clogs my pores. I splashed some warm water on my face, and the oil instantly emulsified, turning into a thin, milky liquid that rinsed away completely.

No residue. No grease. No tight, stripped feeling. My skin was just… soft. And clean. The first time I used it, I did experience the “cloudy vision” I’d read about. It was a temporary, blurry film that lasted about 30 seconds after rinsing, but it didn’t sting or hurt, and it went away as soon as I followed up with my regular water-based cleanser.

Now, I’m just more careful to keep my eyes tightly closed until I’ve fully rinsed. After a week of use, my skin felt better. It was softer, more hydrated, and I even noticed fewer breakouts, likely because my face was actually clean for the first time.

Also read: My Thoughts on Redness Defense Green Primer

Pros Of Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

Incredibly Gentle For Sensitive Skin: This is, for me, its number one selling point. My skin turns red if you look at it the wrong way, and this balm is one of the only makeup removers that doesn’t cause any irritation at all. It is 100% fragrance-free, which is a non-negotiable for sensitive types like us.² It’s also ophthalmologist-tested, and while I get that temporary cloudy-eye feeling, it has never once stung, burned, or irritated my delicate eye area, even when I’m working it right into the lash line to dissolve waterproof liner. It doesn’t strip your skin’s natural moisture barrier; instead, it feels like it respects it, which is rare for a product this powerful.
Extraordinarily Effective At Removing Everything: Don’t let its gentle nature fool you. This balm is a polite assassin. It takes down full-coverage foundation, long-wear liquid lipsticks, layers of mineral sunscreen, and even glittery eye makeup without a fight.³ The main ingredient, Safflower Seed Oil, is rich in linoleic acid and works as a solvent to break down other oils (like the ones in your makeup and sunscreen) and sebum.⁴ I’ve used this after long event days with “bulletproof” makeup, and it melts it all away in under 60 seconds. It saves me from using multiple harsh cotton pads and a separate eye makeup remover.
It Rinses Completely Clean: This is the most crucial part of a cleansing balm.⁵ Many balms, especially cheaper ones, can leave a waxy or greasy film on the skin. The Clinique balm contains emulsifiers (like Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate) that allow the oil to bind with water, turning it into a light milk that washes away completely.⁶ When you rinse, you are left with soft, hydrated skin, not an oil slick.⁷ This is why it’s so good for all skin types, including mine. An oily-skinned person like me can use this without fear of it adding more grease.
Non-Comedogenic and Won’t Clog Pores: This is a huge fear for anyone with acne-prone or combination skin. The idea of rubbing more oil on your face seems counterintuitive. However, because this balm is formulated to dissolve sebum and impurities and rinse off completely, it actually helps prevent breakouts. It’s non-comedogenic, meaning it has been tested and formulated not to clog pores.⁸ I can personally attest that my skin has been clearer since I started using this, as it ensures all my pore-clogging SPF and makeup are gone before my second cleanse.
A Little Goes A Very Long Way: While the price tag can seem high, one 125ml (4.2 oz) jar lasts me for months. You truly only need a small, chickpea-to-almond-sized amount to remove a full face of makeup. Because it’s so concentrated and effective, you’re not wasting product by having to go in for a second scoop. When you break down the cost per use, it becomes much more reasonable than repurchasing bottles of micellar water and dozens of cotton pads every few weeks. It’s an investment in efficiency and skin health.

Cons Of Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

The Price Point

It’s A Premium Product: Let’s be honest, this is not a drugstore cleanser. It sits at a mid-to-high-end price, and that can be a significant barrier for many. When you can grab a perfectly functional cleansing oil or balm from a budget brand for a fraction of the cost, it can be hard to justify spending this much on a product you’re just going to wash down the drain. The cost is a definite and valid con for anyone on a strict budget, even if the cost-per-use is good.

The Unhygienic Jar Packaging

The “Finger-Dipping” Problem: This is my biggest complaint. The balm comes in a wide-mouth jar, and the most straightforward way to get the product out is by digging your fingers in. This is a potential hygiene nightmare. Even if you have clean hands, you’re introducing bacteria into the pot every single time. And if your hands are even slightly damp, you risk getting water into the balm, which can degrade the oil-based formula and make it less effective over time. I solve this by using a small, dedicated spatula, but that’s an extra step and another thing to keep clean. I, along with many other fans, really wish they would put this in a squeeze tube or a pump, but the solid texture makes that difficult.

The “Cloudy Eyes” Phenomenon

The Temporary Blurry Film: As I mentioned in my experience, this is a very common and weirdly specific side effect. When you use the balm to remove eye makeup and it inevitably gets into your eyes, it can create a temporary, non-painful, blurry film over your vision. It feels like you’re looking through a fogged-up window. It doesn’t sting or burn, and it rinses away within a minute, especially after your second cleanse. However, it can be very disconcerting the first few times it happens, and it’s just plain annoying. If you wear contacts, I’d definitely recommend taking them out before using this.

The Polyethylene Ingredient

An Environmental Concern: If you’re an ingredient-conscious consumer, you might have noticed “Polyethylene” on the ingredient list. This is a type of plastic. In this formula, it’s used as a viscosity-controlling agent—it’s what helps keep the balm a solid, waxy texture at room temperature. It is not a microbead or an exfoliant. However, the use of any plastic in a rinse-off product is a valid environmental concern for some people, as it contributes to microplastics in our waterways. While Clinique is part of brands moving towards more sustainable formulas, its presence in this iconic product is a definite drawback for the eco-conscious.

Maintenance Tips For Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

Master The Application Technique

Start Completely Dry: This is the most important rule. Your face must be dry, and your hands must be dry. Oil attracts oil, so you want the oils in the balm to grab onto the oils in your makeup, sunscreen, and sebum. If you apply it to a wet face, the balm will emulsify prematurely and just slide around, failing to dissolve anything. This is the number one mistake I see people make.
Warm It Up First: Don’t just plop a solid chunk on your cheek and start rubbing. Scoop a small amount (about the size of a U.S. quarter or a 10-pence piece) into your clean, dry palms and rub them together. The warmth of your hands will melt the solid balm into a fluid, silky oil.⁹ This makes it much easier to spread and ensures you get an even, thin layer all over your face without unnecessary pulling.
Be Gentle, But Thorough: Massage the oil into your skin using gentle, circular motions. You don’t need to scrub! Let the product do the work. Spend about 30-60 seconds on your whole face, paying special attention to areas with heavy makeup, like your hairline (for foundation), around your nose (for concealer), and your lips (for lipstick). For your eyes, gently massage your eyelids and use your thumb and forefinger to lightly rub the balm down the length of your lashes. This dissolves mascara without pulling out your delicate eyelashes.

Perfect The Rinsing Process

Emulsify, Don’t Just Rinse: This is the second-most important rule. Do not just stick your oily face under the shower. After you’re done massaging, wet your hands with a little warm (not hot) water and massage your face again. You will see the oil instantly turn into a cloudy, white, thin milk. This is the emulsification step. This means the balm is now water-soluble and ready to be rinsed off cleanly. Massage this milk around for another 15-20 seconds.
Rinse With Warm Water or a Cloth: Now you can rinse. You can splash your face with warm water until all the milky residue is gone, or you can use a soft, damp washcloth (like a muslin cloth or a microfiber face cloth) to gently wipe it all away. The cloth method provides a bit of gentle exfoliation and is my personal preference, as it ensures every trace is gone, especially around my eyes and hairline.
Always Follow With a Second Cleanse: This balm is a “first cleanse.”¹⁰ Its job is to remove makeup, SPF, and surface grime.¹¹ The “double cleanse” method, which I swear by, dictates that you must follow it with a gentle, water-based cleanser (like a gel, foam, or cream cleanser).¹² This second cleanse is what actually cleans your skin, removing any lingering balm residue and cleansing your pores. This step is non-negotiable if you have oily or acne-prone skin.

Keep Your Jar Clean and Safe

Use a Spatula: To avoid the bacteria-in-the-jar issue, buy a small, reusable cosmetic spatula. You can find them online for very cheap. Use this to scoop out your product, and wash it regularly. This keeps your balm pristine and effective for its entire shelf life.
Store It Properly: This balm is an anhydrous (water-free) formula. If water gets into the jar, it can breed bacteria and spoil the product. Always close the lid tightly and store it in a cool, dry place. Don’t leave it in your hot, steamy shower, and don’t let water from the tap splash into the open jar.

Comparison With Other Brands

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

The Spa-Like Luxury Experience: Elemis is what you buy when you want your cleanse to feel like a high-end facial. Its texture is incredibly rich and velvety, and it’s famous for its powerful, herbal, spa-like scent (a blend of lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus).¹³ Clinique is the opposite; it’s 100% functional and fragrance-free.¹⁴
Efficacy and Eye Safety: This is the biggest difference. The Elemis balm is not designed for use on the eyes. The essential oils that give it that amazing smell will sting and burn terribly if they get in your eyes. You would need a separate eye makeup remover, which defeats the purpose of an all-in-one balm. Clinique is ophthalmologist-tested and, while it might blur your vision, it is specifically made to remove eye makeup safely and effectively.¹⁵
Price and Target Audience: Elemis is a luxury “investment” product and is significantly more expensive than Clinique. Its formula is packed with anti-aging oils and extracts, targeting a more mature or dry-skinned audience who wants nourishment and a sensory experience. Clinique is the practical, sensitive-skin-friendly workhorse for everyone.¹⁶

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm

The Soothing Budget-Friendly Option: The Inkey List is a hero for providing effective, single-ingredient-focused skincare at a drugstore price. Their Oat Cleansing Balm is much, much cheaper than Clinique’s. It comes in a convenient, hygienic squeeze tube, which immediately wins points over Clinique’s jar.
Key Ingredients and Texture: The Inkey List balm is formulated with 3% Oat Kernel Oil and 1% Colloidal Oatmeal.¹⁷ This makes it incredibly soothing and a fantastic choice for anyone with very dry, irritated, or eczema-prone skin. It has a very rich, creamy texture. Clinique’s formula is simpler and based on Safflower oil; it feels a bit lighter and more “silky” once melted.¹⁸
Performance: Both are excellent at removing makeup and SPF. However, I’ve found The Inkey List balm can sometimes require a bit more work to rinse completely clean; it feels a little heavier on the skin. It can also be used as a 10-minute nourishing face mask, which is a great multi-use feature. For pure, no-fuss, rinses-perfectly-clean removal, I give a slight edge to Clinique. But for price and soothing properties, The Inkey List is an outstanding competitor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Does Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Do?

This product is a “first cleanse” makeup remover.¹⁹ It’s a solid balm that transforms into a silky oil when you warm it in your hands. You massage it onto dry skin to break down and dissolve all traces of makeup (including long-wear and waterproof formulas), sunscreen, dirt, oil, and pollutants from the day.²⁰ When you add water, it emulsifies into a milk and rinses clean, leaving your skin soft and prepped for your second, water-based cleanser.²¹

Do I Need To Wash My Face After Using Clinique Cleansing Balm?

Yes, it is highly recommended. This practice is called “double cleansing.”²² The Clinique balm (your first cleanse) is designed to remove the makeup on top of your skin. To properly clean your skin itself and remove any last traces of the balm, you should always follow up with a gentle, water-based cleanser (like a gel or foam cleanser). This ensures your pores are completely clean and ready to absorb your serums and moisturizers.

Is Clinique Cleansing Balm Worth It?

In my opinion, yes, absolutely. While it is more expensive than drugstore options, its performance is unmatched for its target audience. If you have sensitive skin, reactive skin, or wear stubborn eye makeup, its fragrance-free, non-irritating, and incredibly effective formula is worth the price. It’s one of the few products that is both extremely gentle and extremely powerful. A single jar also lasts a very long time, which improves its overall value.²³

What Are The Disadvantages Of Cleansing Balm?

While I’m a huge fan, cleansing balms, in general, have a few potential downsides. The main one is that if you don’t rinse them off properly (by emulsifying with water first), they can leave an oily residue that may clog pores and lead to breakouts, especially for oily skin types.²⁴ The jar packaging most balms come in can be unhygienic if you’re not careful. They can also feel “heavy” or “greasy” to people who are used to foaming cleansers. Finally, many balms (though not Clinique’s) are heavily fragranced with essential oils, which can be highly irritating for sensitive skin.

Conclusion

After years of repurchasing this purple tub, I can confidently say the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is absolutely worth it. It’s a cult classic for a reason. It is the most effective, gentle, and reliable makeup remover I have ever used.²⁵

It respects my sensitive skin, melts waterproof mascara like it’s nothing, and rinses completely clean without a hint of irritation or greasy residue.²⁶ If you are serious about your skin’s health and want to end your day with a truly clean, soft, and calm face, you need to add this to your cart.