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Illustration of the pack shape, not the real packaging.
Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original
The cleansing balm that made the category famous: a sherbet-textured balm of light esters, PEG emulsifiers, wax and olive oil that melts makeup and rinses clean. Fragranced.
Buyer verdictStill one of the best cleansing balms for removing sunscreen and makeup, and roughly half the Amazon price in Seoul. It's fragranced, so sensitive skin may prefer a fragrance-free oil.
- Key ingredient
- Cetyl ethylhexanoate and ethylhexyl stearate, PEG-20 glyceryl triisostearate and PEG-10 isostearate
- Texture
- Firm, sherbet-like balm that melts into a light oil
- Routine step
- cleanser · PM
- Korean pack
- 100ml
Overview
Key ingredients
- Cetyl ethylhexanoate and ethylhexyl stearate Light esters that dissolve makeup and sunscreen
- PEG-20 glyceryl triisostearate and PEG-10 isostearate Emulsifiers that turn the balm milky so it rinses off
- Synthetic wax Gives the solid, sherbet-like texture
- Olive and jojoba oils Softening oils
- Acerola, pomegranate and cranberry extracts Small amounts of fruit extracts
From the US, it's 53% cheaper in Seoul after tax and refund. From the UK, it's 55% cheaper in Seoul.
What it is
Clean It Zero Original is the pink tub that turned cleansing balms into a K-beauty staple. It’s a firm, sherbet-like balm in a 100ml tub with a spatula, and it has been one of Olive Young’s top cleansing balms for years.
The Korean ingredient list starts with two light esters, cetyl ethylhexanoate and ethylhexyl stearate, which dissolve makeup. Then come two PEG emulsifiers, synthetic wax for structure and olive oil. Further down are acerola extract, fragrance, lithospermum root, jojoba oil, hot spring water and small amounts of pomegranate, cranberry, a lactobacillus ferment and vitamin C. That’s 18 ingredients in total.
Who it suits (and who should skip it)
Good pick if
- You wear sunscreen or makeup daily and want an easy, thorough first cleanse
- You like a balm that turns into oil instead of a runny oil from a pump
- You have normal, dry or combination skin
Skip it if
- Your skin reacts to fragrance
- You want a cleanser with calming or acne-focused ingredients
- You don’t wear anything that needs an oil cleanser
What the ingredients do
The esters do the dissolving. They’re lightweight and non-greasy, and they break down long-wear foundation and water-resistant sunscreen filters faster than plant oils alone. The wax keeps everything solid in the tub, and body heat melts it on contact.
The PEG emulsifiers are what make it rinse clean. When you add water, the oil turns into a milky emulsion that washes away without leaving a film. That emulsifying step is the difference between a cleansing balm and a pot of oil.
Olive and jojoba oils leave skin soft. The fruit extracts and vitamin C are present in small amounts, as a nice extra rather than a treatment.
How to use it
Banila Co’s directions are step by step. With clean, dry hands, scoop a little balm with the spatula. Warm it between your fingers, then dot it on the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose. Massage gently to melt makeup. Then add a little water at a time and keep massaging until it turns milky. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Follow with a gentle water-based cleanser. Always use the spatula and keep water out of the tub.
How it compares
Heimish All Clean Balm is the closest rival, with a similar sherbet texture but a scent from a blend of essential oils. Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil is a light oil for oily, pore-conscious skin. Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil is a classic pump oil.
Is it worth buying in Seoul?
Yes. Olive Young sells the same 100ml tub as Amazon US and UK, and at the usual sale price Seoul works out about half the price of both.
One tub clears the ₩15,000 tax refund minimum. Balms count as gels at most airport security, and 100ml is right at the carry-on limit, so a checked bag is easier.
FAQ
Does it contain fragrance?
Yes. Fragrance is listed in the middle of the Korean ingredient list. It's a single added fragrance rather than a blend of essential oils.
Do I need a second cleanser?
Most people follow it with a gentle foam or gel cleanser. That's the classic Korean double cleanse.
Does it remove waterproof mascara?
Yes, mostly. Hold a little balm on closed eyes for a few seconds before massaging gently. Keep it out of your eyes.
Are there other versions?
Yes. Banila Co sells several Clean It Zero balms for different skin types, such as Purifying, Nourishing and Pore Clarifying. This page covers the Original, in the pink tub.
