CLINIQUEcleanserCleanse step

CLINIQUE Mini Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover

This cleansing balm is a fan favorite for a reason. It effortlessly melts away all traces of makeup, including long-wear formulas and sunscreen, without any harsh rubbing. Its balm-to-oil texture feels luxurious and rinses clean, making it a simple yet effective first step in any routine.

Sephora price

$15.00

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

4.5 / 5

About 4,573 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

allure 2021: Clean Beauty WinnerWithout Sulfates SLS & SLESBest for Dry, Combo, Normal SkinCommunity FavoriteFragrance Free

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

Glass take

4.5 / 5 overall fit

A highly effective and gentle makeup remover that works for all skin types, leaving skin clean without stripping it.

CLINIQUE Mini Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover

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 gentle, effective makeup remover that transforms from a balm to a silky oil, melting away face and eye makeup and sunscreen.

NormalDryCombinationand Oily

Use fingertips to massage balm over dry skin.

Rinse well with warm water.

Pat dry.

Follow with your CLINIQUE 3-Step Skin Care System.

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

A top-tier makeup remover that excels at its primary job. It's a great option for anyone looking for a gentle yet thorough cleanse, especially if they wear makeup regularly or use sunscreen.

Effectiveness

Reviewers consistently highlight how well this balm removes all types of makeup, from everyday wear to heavy glam, without leaving any residue.

Gentle yet thorough

Many users appreciate that it cleanses deeply without causing irritation or dryness, making it a go-to for sensitive skin.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

  • All skin types, especially dry and normal
  • Anyone who wears makeup or sunscreen
  • Those seeking a gentle first cleanse

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

  • You prefer a foaming cleanser as your first step
  • You have extremely sensitive skin that reacts to oils (though this is generally well-tolerated)

Routine fit

Your first step to clean skin

Massage the balm onto dry skin using your fingertips. It transforms into a silky oil that dissolves makeup and impurities. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and gently pat your skin dry. This is the perfect first step before proceeding with your regular skincare routine, such as the Clinique 3-Step system.

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

  • Excellent makeup and sunscreen removal
  • Gentle formula, suitable for all skin types
  • Fragrance-free
  • Leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated

Where it starts to feel redundant

  • Mini size may not be ideal for long-term use
  • Requires rinsing with water, not a micellar water alternative

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Evening cleanse

Ideal for use in the evening to remove makeup, sunscreen, and the day's grime before your second cleanse or treatment steps.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

4.5/ 5 overall

A highly effective and gentle makeup remover that works for all skin types, leaving skin clean without stripping it.

Makeup removal

4.8 / 5

Consistently praised for its ability to remove even stubborn makeup, including waterproof mascara.

Skin feel

4.6 / 5

Users report skin feels soft and clean, never tight or dry after use.

Full ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient, what it does, and whether I care

Emollient

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Badness

1.0 / 10

An ester that softens and smooths the skin, helping to dissolve makeup.

Usually helps with

Dryness, makeup removal

Watch for

Generally well-tolerated, but very sensitive skin might react.

Emollient

Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil

Badness

1.0 / 10

A plant-derived oil rich in linoleic acid, known for its emollient and skin-conditioning properties.

Usually helps with

Dryness, makeup removal

Watch for

Minimal concerns for most skin types.

Emollient

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Badness

1.0 / 10

A derivative of coconut oil and glycerin, it's an excellent emollient and skin-replenishing ingredient.

Usually helps with

Dryness, barrier support

Watch for

Generally non-irritating.

Emulsifier

Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate

Badness

2.0 / 10

Helps to blend oil and water, allowing the balm to rinse away cleanly.

Usually helps with

Cleansing

Watch for

Can sometimes be drying for very sensitive skin if not properly formulated.

Thickener

Polyethylene

Badness

3.0 / 10

A wax-like ingredient that gives the balm its solid texture.

Usually helps with

Texture

Watch for

Not typically a concern in rinse-off products.

Emulsifier

Peg-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate

Badness

2.0 / 10

Works with Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate to create a smooth emulsion upon contact with water.

Usually helps with

Cleansing

Watch for

Generally considered safe in rinse-off formulations.

Solvent

Water

Badness

0.0 / 10

The base for many cosmetic formulations.

Usually helps with

Formulation

Watch for

None.

Antioxidant

Tocopherol

Badness

1.0 / 10

A form of Vitamin E, it helps protect the formula from oxidation and offers antioxidant benefits to the skin.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant protection

Watch for

Rarely causes irritation.

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol

Badness

2.0 / 10

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

Usually helps with

Product preservation

Watch for

Can be an irritant for some individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

Compare before you buy

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FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Is this cleansing balm good for all skin types?

Yes, this balm is formulated to be gentle and effective for all skin types, including normal, dry, combination, and oily.

Does this product contain fragrance?

No, this product is fragrance-free, making it a good option for those sensitive to added scents.

Can this remove waterproof makeup?

Yes, users frequently report that it effectively removes even stubborn waterproof makeup and long-wear formulas.