Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm Review
BeautyBrief™
Brand
Naturium
Product
Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm
Claims check
You get effective makeup and sunscreen removal in a rich fragrance-free balm, while first-listed ethylhexyl palmitate is the main fit consideration if it is an ingredient you prefer to avoid.
Shopper fit
- Dry
- Normal
- Combination
- Oily
- Sensitive
Formula flags
- Drying alcohols
- Comedogenic concerns
Shopper preferences
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Dermatologist-Tested
Key ingredients
| Ethylhexyl Palmitate | Helps dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and sebum; breakout-prone shoppers may prefer another balm because Ethylhexyl Palmitate has a documented comedogenicity signal under concentrated testing. |
|---|---|
| Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate | Key emulsifier that helps the balm turn milky and rinse once water is added. |
| Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract | The purple-ginseng ingredient highlighted by Naturium; its concentration is not disclosed and it is secondary to the cleansing performance. |
| Chia Seed Oil | Adds emollience and contributes to the balm’s richer feel. |
| Jojoba Seed Oil | Adds more emollience around the makeup-removing base. |
Price tier
$$ Mid-Range
Value check
At the Mid-Range tier, you are paying for effective makeup and sunscreen removal plus a rich fragrance-free balm experience; if you prefer to avoid first-listed ethylhexyl palmitate, another balm may fit you better.
Where to buy
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Bottom line
If you want a rich fragrance-free balm for makeup and sunscreen, this gives you a capable Mid-Range first cleanse. First-listed ethylhexyl palmitate is the main formula tradeoff to consider.
If you want a rich, fragrance-free first cleanse for makeup and sunscreen, Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm gives you a capable Mid-Range option. Its oil-and-emulsifier system supports makeup and sunscreen removal well, while first-listed ethylhexyl palmitate is the main ingredient-level fit consideration if your skin is very breakout-prone.
Purple ginseng is part of the formula, but it is not the strongest reason for you to choose this cleanser. The more practical case is the cushiony balm texture, effective oil-soluble-residue removal, and milky rinse once you add water.
What it claims
Naturium describes Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm as a first-step cleanser that melts away makeup, sunscreen, excess oil, and impurities while leaving your skin soft and comfortable. The brand highlights purple ginseng extract, plant-based esters, and linoleic-acid-rich oils and positions the balm for all skin types.[1]
Naturium identifies the balm as vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, and dermatologist tested. You massage it over dry skin with dry hands, add water to emulsify, rinse, and follow with a second cleanse if you want one.[1]
Claims vs. formula
The complete formula strongly supports the makeup- and sunscreen-removal role. Ethylhexyl palmitate, coco-caprylate/caprate, isoamyl cocoate, chia seed oil, and jojoba seed oil help dissolve oil-soluble residue. Polyglyceryl-10 dioleate and other emulsifiers help the balm disperse when you add water.
Ethylhexyl palmitate is the first ingredient, so it matters more if you are very breakout-prone and already prefer to avoid it. Ingredient-level comedogenicity evidence does not prove this finished rinse-off balm will clog your pores.
Alcohol appears near the end of the verified ingredient list, so the Drying Alcohols flag remains. Because it is low in the list and this is a rinse-off balm, it carries less weight than it would in a leave-on product.
The cleansing performance matters more than the purple-ginseng story. Polygonum bistorta root extract is present, but Naturium does not disclose its concentration, and a rinse-off balm is not where you should expect major treatment benefits from a botanical extract.
The fragrance-free format is useful if you prefer to avoid added scent. Glycerin, aloe flower extract, tocopherol, and several plant extracts add extra conditioning support, but they are not the main reasons to buy this cleanser.
Ingredients that matter
Ethylhexyl palmitate: Helps dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and sebum. If your skin is very breakout-prone and you prefer to avoid this ingredient, another balm may fit you better.
Polyglyceryl-10 dioleate: Helps the balm turn milky and rinse once you add water.
Polygonum bistorta root extract: This is the purple-ginseng ingredient Naturium highlights, but its concentration is not disclosed and it is secondary to the cleansing performance.
Chia seed oil: Adds emollience and contributes to the richer balm feel.
Jojoba seed oil: Adds more emollience around the makeup-removing base.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is a silky emollient. Concentrated testing on the backs of selected men showed comedogenic potential, but that does not establish that every finished product containing it will clog…
Read the IngredientBrief
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a well-established emollient that softens skin and improves formula slip. Its wax-ester composition is useful, but human evidence does not establish it as an acne treatment or…
Read the IngredientBrief
Glycerin
If your skin feels dry or tight, glycerin helps your skin hold moisture. You don't need a high percentage or a separate serum when your moisturizer already works well.
Read the IngredientBrief
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a family of antioxidant and conditioning ingredients used in moisturizers, oils, balms, and broader antioxidant systems. The exact form and finished formula matter more than the vitamin…
Read the IngredientBriefWhat to expect in the short term
You work the balm over dry skin so the emollients can loosen makeup and sunscreen, then add water to emulsify before rinsing. You get a more cushioned feel than a fluid cleansing oil but a cleaner rinse than you would from a straight facial oil.
The fragrance-free format keeps the sensory profile restrained. Texture is the bigger preference question: if you enjoy rich balm cleansers, the format makes sense; if you dislike an emollient after-feel, a fluid cleansing oil may suit you better.
What to expect over time
You are buying reliable first-step removal rather than cumulative treatment. Its job is to remove sunscreen, makeup, and oil-soluble buildup before the rest of your routine.
Purple ginseng and the other botanical extracts are supporting extras. What matters most is whether the balm texture, removal power, and rinse feel work for you.
Who it fits
This makes the most sense if your skin is dry, normal, combination, or sensitive and you want a rich first cleanse for makeup and sunscreen. Oily skin can also use it if you prefer a balm texture and emulsify and rinse it thoroughly.
If your skin is very breakout-prone and you prefer to avoid ethylhexyl palmitate, choose another balm. If you dislike a rich emollient feel or want a one-step foaming cleanser, choose another format.
Compare before you buy
Choose e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm when you want a lighter, straightforward balm option. Choose Naturium when fragrance-free positioning and a richer plant-oil profile better match your routine.
Read the BeautyBrief
Choose Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm when a more sensory balm experience matters more to you. Naturium fits better if you want a fragrance-free, richer cleansing-balm profile.
Read the BeautyBriefFinal assessment
Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm gives you a capable Mid-Range first cleanse if you want a rich, fragrance-free balm for makeup and sunscreen. If your skin is very breakout-prone, first-listed ethylhexyl palmitate is the main tradeoff to weigh; purple ginseng is a supporting extra rather than the reason to buy.
Where to buy
Choose a retailer to view current pricing and availability.
We may earn a commission through these links at no additional cost to you. This does not affect our BeautyBrief.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
- Naturium. Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm. Current U.S. product page. Accessed October 2, 2026.
Source for current product identity, current $20 price, claims, directions, all-skin-types positioning, fragrance-free and Dermatologist-Tested status, and current product labeling. Stored INCI was accepted as verified for this revision sequence.
- The Beauty Briefing. e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm Review. Current BeautyBrief. Accessed October 2, 2026.
- The Beauty Briefing. Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm Review. Current BeautyBrief. Accessed October 2, 2026.
- PETA. Naturium company listing. Accessed October 2, 2026.
Source for the controlled Cruelty-Free and Vegan Shopper Preferences.
