I had just finished my trial size of the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm when I attended the opening of KIKO Milano’s SoHo store. While browsing the skin-care section, I came across KIKO’s cleansing balm for just $20 and decided to give it a try.

After using the Elemis balm, I already knew what I wanted from a cleansing balm: something that could remove my makeup without leaving my skin feeling stripped or dry. And while I’ll admit that Elemis still does a better job of melting down my makeup, KIKO’s cleansing balm has quickly earned a place in my routine—especially for the price.

So, What Exactly Is a Cleansing Balm?

If you’ve never used one before, a cleansing balm is essentially a cleanser and makeup remover in one. Unlike a traditional liquid cleanser, KIKO’s formula starts as a balm and melts into an oil as I massage it into my skin, helping to break down my makeup in the process.

This works particularly well for my routine because after a long day, I like to come home and immediately take everything off my face. I’ll usually reach for a face towel to remove my makeup, but adding a cleansing balm helps break everything down before I go in with the rest of my routine.

The Ingredients Caught My Attention, Too

The formula includes hyaluronic acid, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, shea oil, and pomegranate extract. While a cleansing balm is ultimately something I’m going to wash off, I still pay attention to how my skin feels afterward—and this is probably one of my favorite things about KIKO’s formula.

Once I rinse it off, my skin doesn’t just feel clean. It feels soft, plump, and comfortable instead of dry or tight. I also like that I can remove my makeup without feeling like I’ve stripped my skin of everything in the process.

But Does It Actually Remove Makeup?

Yes, but this is where my experience with Elemis comes in.

Since I had just finished using the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm before trying KIKO’s, I could immediately tell there was a difference. I think Elemis does a better job of melting down my makeup. It feels like my makeup breaks apart a little more effortlessly with the Elemis balm.

KIKO still gets the job done. As I massage the balm into my face, the texture melts down into an oil that starts dissolving my makeup. It has enough slip that I can work it across my face without tugging at my skin, and once everything is rinsed away, my skin feels clean without that squeaky-clean feeling.

And for $20, I’m impressed.

The Best Part Is How My Skin Feels Afterward

There’s clean, and then there’s squeaky clean—and I don’t necessarily want the latter on my face.

What really sold me on the KIKO cleansing balm is how my skin feels after I use it. Instead of that tight feeling that can sometimes happen after cleansing, my skin feels soft and plump. I’m taking off the makeup, dirt, and buildup from the day without feeling like I’ve taken all the moisture out of my skin along with it.

For me, that makes a difference, especially when removing makeup is already an extra step at the end of a long day.

KIKO vs. Elemis: Which One Would I Choose?

If we’re talking strictly about melting down makeup, I have to give it to Elemis. The Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm does a better job at breaking everything down, and I noticed that almost immediately when I switched over to KIKO.

But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t buy the KIKO balm again.

My .3-ounce trial size of the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm was gifted to me, and that size retails for around $20. KIKO’s cleansing balm gives me another option at that $20 price point while still doing what I need it to do: removing my everyday makeup and leaving my skin feeling soft, clean, and comfortable.

Is the KIKO Milano Cleansing Balm Worth $20?

For me, yes.

It may not melt my makeup quite as effortlessly as the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, but I like the way it feels on my skin enough that I’m willing to make that trade-off. It’s easy to work into my nighttime routine, breaks down my makeup, and most importantly, my skin still feels soft and plump once I’m done cleansing.

If you’ve been wanting to add a cleansing balm to your routine but don’t want to spend a lot to do it, KIKO Milano’s $20 cleansing balm is one I’d recommend trying.