e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Cleansing Balm Dupes & Cheaper Alternatives

Name: Holy Hydration! Cleansing Balm
Brand: e.l.f.
Rating: 85 (20 reviews)

From 49 Reddit threads · Updated October 4, 2026

85nextscore· 20 verdicts

Makeup-melting balm that removes mascara and sunscreen fast; may clog some. The catch: can trigger closed comedones. Here's what Redditors reach for instead.

#1

Best Overall Alternative

14mentions

Melting Balm Cleanser

BYOMA·Cleansing Balm

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Excellent at removing waterproof mascara and heavy makeup

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The why

A balm cleanser for first cleanse duty, especially if you wear waterproof mascara or heavier makeup. People with sensitive eyes and drier, barrier-stressed skin seem happiest; the jar has no dispenser, and some batches smell off or go gummy.

One minus

Jar packaging has no dispenser

Good forSensitive Skin

The original, at a glance

e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Cleansing Balm

Why people love it: Melts makeup and mascara

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