12 Of The Best Multi-Purpose Beauty Balms

Be Barefaced Multi-Purpose B-Balm, £8.99

An Amazon bestseller, this cosseting balm works double time to moisturise the skin, melt away make-up and keep dry shins and elbows smooth and supple. Formulated with shea and mango butter, it’s satisfyingly rich in texture, yet never leaves behind a greasy residue. At most, you only need a pea-sized amount, so it should last you for months. What’s more, it’s so gentle that even those with rosacea and seriously sensitive skin have found it to be a great remedy. 
Available at BeBareFaced.com

Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm, £45

Blurring the lines between a skin hydrator and illuminator, Bobbi Brown’s cult Moisture Balm lends a soft-focus luminosity thanks to its pearl particles. The skin benefits are just as impressive – designed to improve and boost the texture of your skin over time, it can be used as a moisturiser, mixed with foundation or used alone as a highlighter – whichever you choose, radiance will replace any dullness instantly. 

Available at LookFantastic.com

By Terry Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur in Rosy Babe, £36

One of By Terry’s bestsellers, this multi-purpose balm cloaks lips, cheeks and even eyelids with a hint of colour, while putting some much-needed moisture back into the skin. It’s a firm favourite among beauty bloggers, editors and A-listers, too. Brimming with nourishing oils, vitamin E and strengthening ceramides, it encourages skin cells to turn over faster for a smoother appearance, while giving a healthy flush that lasts for hours. If you’ve not tried this before, you’re missing out.
 Available at LookFantastic.com

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, £33

A beauty classic – Clarins’ peach-toned Flash Balm is a true staple. One of the most coveted – and copied – beauty products ever, it still has a firm place in many insiders’ kits, and with good reason. Lending a suits-all dose of luminosity, it evens out skin tone instantly. It also acts like a primer, but without any stickiness or pilling. Apply it just before your foundation for a glass-skin effect.

Available at Boots.com

Dr. PawPaw Original Balm, £3.95

Originally created in Australia, this natural balm has been a staple in make-up artist kits for years. Often spied backstage and used on models to create a sheer highlight, the tinted formulas can help bring added warmth to the skin. The benefits don’t stop there – use a smattering on ragged cuticles and to tame flyaway brows. It works in a pinch to soothe dry areas, too.

​Available at Boots.com

Erborian Milk & Peel Resurfacing Balm, £13

Korean beauty brand Erborian is always at the forefront of innovation, and this dual-purpose balm is no exception. Using sesame milk, botanical oils and a gentle enzyme exfoliator, it dissolves surface dirt, bacteria and make-up, while slowly removing dead skin cells (and blackheads) for a more refined texture. The satisfying balm-to-oil consistency keeps moisture levels topped up, but it’s so silky, you never have to rub or excessively tug to remove anything.

Available at LookFantastic.com

iT Cosmetics Bye Bye Make-Up 3-in-1 Make-Up Melting Balm, £32

A make-up remover, cleanser and anti-ageing serum, this 3-in-1 formula is a must-have for anyone who wants to avoid a lengthy routine. Full of cleansing extracts and botanicals that leave your complexion refreshed, clean and free of all traces of make-up, the serum aspect provides a soft barrier of moisture to your skin, in turn creating an invisible shield for pollutants to bounce off of. Hyaluronic acid and aloe vera give skin an anti-inflammatory treat too, so you’ll never experience flare-ups or irritated rashes.
 ​Available at Boots.com

KNC Beauty SupaBalm, £18

Whether you want to soothe your lips, hydrate parched skin or add a subtle sheen/tint to your cheeks, this ticks every box. It’s small as well, so you can keep one in every bag, drawer and cabinet so you’re never caught out. The aesthetically pleasing packaging is a bonus, too.

Available at CultBeauty.co.uk

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Balm, £14

Make-up artists and dermatologists swear by this does-it-all balm. It soothes dry, chapped lips instantly, giving them a super smooth and primed surface that’s ready for lipstick. But it works well as a sheer base too, ideal for any foundation or base make-up to layer over top. Plus, it’s so gentle, it can be used on babies to relieve skin tightness or rashes. One of the most calming beauty buys we’ve ever tried – you’d be hard pushed to find a negative review.
 Available at LookFantastic.com

Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm, £40

As natural as can be, this award-winning beauty balm does it all. From taming brows to nourishing cuticles and chapped lips, it uses antioxidants, vitamin E, rosehip oil and provitamin A (a natural source of retinol) to deeply hydrate and gently exfoliate. It’s especially effective for those with dry skin, or anyone who suffers with conditions like eczema, as it breaks down uneven bumps for a smoother, more refined surface. You’ll feel and see a difference straight away. It’s thick, too, so a little goes a long way.

Available at LookFantastic.com

Sisley Oil Balm Cleanser & Eye Make-Up Remover, £88

Make-up, excess sebum and impurities don’t stand a chance against Sisley’s latest cleanser. Yes, it removes mascara and long-wear foundation, but it also has impressive skin-boosting benefits, too. As you massage it in, the solid butter transforms into a silky oil, before lathering up into a milky emulsion full of plant-based butters to soften and soothe. Shea, babassu and macadamia oils come together to treat dry, sensitive skin.

Available at JohnLewis.com

The Body Shop Amazonian Saviour Multi-Purpose Balm, £9

Non-fragrant and created with natural plant oils, this silky balm is unlikely to cause irritation. Instead, it works fast to relieve symptoms of dry, tight skin – be it on the face or body. It works well on cracked hands and feet, too, and can even revive the appearance of tattoos, while helping any redness or inflammation heal and fade fast. The only thing to note is it’s very thick, so spend time working it in before you put on any clothes or apply make-up. 

Available at TheBodyShop.com