The INKEY ListcleanserCleanse step

The INKEY List Mini Oat Cleansing Balm

This cleansing balm is a straightforward first step in a routine, designed to remove makeup and excess oil. Its gentle formulation makes it a good option for those who find other cleansers too harsh.

Sephora price

$7.00

Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.

Sephora reviews

3.6 / 5

About 5,567 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

Community FavoriteGood for: DrynessGood for: RednessClean at Sephoraallure 2020 Best of Beauty Award WinnerBest for Normal SkinOat Kernel Oil 3%: Moisturizes and hydrates.Colloidal Oatmeal: Visibly reduces redness and soothes irritated skin.Dryness and Redness

These are the shopper themes that keep showing up around this listing and shape why people open it in the first place.

Glass take

3.6 / 5 overall fit

A solid first cleanse option for most skin types, especially those dealing with dryness or redness, but it won't replace a dedicated treatment serum.

Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026

Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.

View Sephora

What Sephora says

What this product is supposed to do

A rich cleansing balm that melts away makeup and absorbs excess oil without drying or stripping skin.

NormalDryCombinationand OilyDryness and Redness

Use AM and PM.

Gently massage a raspberry-size amount onto a dampened face and neck.

Add water, then rinse thoroughly.

Follow with preferred serums and moisturizers.

Beauty tip:

For all-day hydration, pair this cleanser with The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum (sold separately), which works across multiple layers of skin, drawing in moisture and locking it in.

Recycling Instructions:

Separate and recycle cap.

Cut off top of tube.

After using excess product, wash out and recycle tube.

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

This balm is a decent first cleanse, especially for dry or sensitive skin. It does its job without irritation, but don't expect it to do much beyond cleansing.

Makeup removal

Many users appreciate its ability to break down makeup, though some note it requires a second cleanse for stubborn products.

Skin feel

Users often describe their skin feeling soft and hydrated after use, without any tightness.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

Dry or sensitive skin
Anyone needing a gentle makeup remover
People looking for a soothing first cleanse

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

You prefer a foaming cleanser
You're looking for a cleanser with active treatment ingredients

Routine fit

Where this cleansing balm fits

Use this as the very first step in your morning or evening routine. Massage it onto a damp face to break down makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil. Rinse thoroughly and follow with your second cleanse (if needed) or your treatment serums and moisturizer.

Why it works

Where it earns the slot and where it does not

The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.

What it actually does well

Gentle and non-stripping
Contains soothing oat ingredients
Effective at removing makeup
Affordable price point

Where it starts to feel redundant

Basic cleansing function
May not remove heavy or waterproof makeup completely
Low rating suggests some users find it average

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Morning or night

This balm can be used both morning and night. In the morning, it helps remove any oil or sweat accumulated overnight. At night, it's essential for removing makeup and SPF before your other skincare steps.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

3.6/ 5 overall

A solid first cleanse option for most skin types, especially those dealing with dryness or redness, but it won't replace a dedicated treatment serum.

Gentle cleansing

4.0 / 5

Effectively removes makeup and daily grime without stripping the skin, making it suitable for sensitive or dry complexions.

Soothing properties

3.8 / 5

Oat ingredients help calm redness and irritation, a nice bonus for reactive skin.

Full ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient, what it does, and whether I care

Emollient

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil

Badness

1.0 / 10

A gentle emollient that helps to soften and condition the skin, aiding in makeup removal.

Usually helps with

Dryness, softening skin

Watch for

Nut allergies

Emollient/Emulsifier

Cetearyl Alcohol

Badness

1.0 / 10

A fatty alcohol that helps to soften and smooth skin, and also aids in product texture.

Usually helps with

Emollience, texture

Watch for

None

Surfactant/Emulsifier

PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides

Badness

2.0 / 10

Helps to dissolve oil-based impurities and emulsify the balm with water for rinsing.

Usually helps with

Cleansing, emulsifying

Watch for

None

Emollient/Soothing

Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil

Badness

0.0 / 10

Rich in lipids and antioxidants, this oil moisturizes, hydrates, and helps to calm the skin.

Usually helps with

Dryness, redness, soothing

Watch for

None

Emollient/Thickener

Candelilla Cera (Cire de candelilla)

Badness

1.0 / 10

A plant-based wax that helps to give the balm its solid texture and provides emollient properties.

Usually helps with

Texture, emollience

Watch for

None

Absorbent

Silica

Badness

3.0 / 10

Can help absorb excess oil, contributing to the balm's ability to manage shine.

Usually helps with

Oil absorption

Watch for

Can be drying in high concentrations

Emulsifier

Sorbitan Stearate

Badness

2.0 / 10

Helps to blend oil and water components in the formula.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying

Watch for

None

Emollient

Tribehenin

Badness

1.0 / 10

A synthetic emollient that helps to condition and soften the skin.

Usually helps with

Emollience, skin conditioning

Watch for

None

Emulsifier

PEG-60 Almond Glycerides

Badness

2.0 / 10

A derivative of almond oil that aids in emulsification and provides some emollient benefits.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying, softening

Watch for

None

Soothing/Antioxidant

Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour

Badness

0.0 / 10

Colloidal oatmeal is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties, helping to calm redness.

Usually helps with

Redness, irritation, soothing

Watch for

None

Solvent

Aqua (Water/Eau)

Badness

0.0 / 10

The base solvent for the formula.

Usually helps with

Formula base

Watch for

None

Preservative/Solvent

Benzyl Alcohol

Badness

4.0 / 10

A common preservative that can also act as a solvent. It has a low potential for irritation.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Potential for mild irritation in sensitive individuals

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol

Badness

3.0 / 10

A widely used preservative to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic products.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Can cause irritation in some individuals

Emulsifier/Skin-Conditioning

Lecithin

Badness

1.0 / 10

A natural phospholipid that helps stabilize emulsions and can improve skin hydration.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying, hydration

Watch for

None

Humectant/Preservative Booster

1,2-Hexanediol

Badness

2.0 / 10

A humectant that also helps to boost the effectiveness of preservatives.

Usually helps with

Hydration, preservation

Watch for

None

Antioxidant

Ascorbyl Palmitate

Badness

2.0 / 10

A fat-soluble form of Vitamin C that acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect the skin from free radical damage.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant protection

Watch for

Can be less stable than other forms of Vitamin C

Antioxidant

Tocopherol

Badness

1.0 / 10

A form of Vitamin E, it's a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from oxidative stress.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant protection, skin conditioning

Watch for

None

Skin Conditioning/Antioxidant

Biosaccharide Gum-4

Badness

1.0 / 10

A polysaccharide that can help hydrate the skin and provide antioxidant benefits.

Usually helps with

Hydration, antioxidant protection

Watch for

None

Emollient/Antioxidant

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil

Badness

1.0 / 10

Rich in linoleic acid, it's a good emollient that helps maintain the skin's barrier function and provides antioxidant benefits.

Usually helps with

Dryness, barrier support, antioxidant

Watch for

None

Compare before you buy

The next pages that make this product more useful

A good product page should push you into the next decision, not trap you inside one product page forever. These are the cleaner next clicks.

Ingredient Checker

Check whether this product overlaps with products already in your routine.

Product directory

Browse more Sephora skincare products through the Glass product directory.

FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Is this cleansing balm good for dry skin?

Yes, the oat kernel oil and flour in this balm are known for their moisturizing and soothing properties, making it a good choice for dry and sensitive skin types.

Can this be used as a first or second cleanse?

This balm is designed as a first cleanse to remove makeup and impurities. You can follow with a second cleanse if you prefer, or proceed with your treatment steps.

Does it remove waterproof makeup?

It effectively removes most makeup, but for very stubborn or waterproof formulas, a dedicated waterproof makeup remover or a second cleanse might be necessary.

See If This Is Compatible With My Skin