Banila Co's Clean It Zero Original is a solid cleansing balm that melts into an oil on dry skin and emulsifies with water, intended as the first step of a double cleanse. Bloggers report that it dissolves full makeup, waterproof mascara and sunscreen and rinses without an oily film. The formula is ester-based with hot spring water, vitamin E and acerola extract, but it contains fragrance. It comes in a jar with a spatula in three sizes.

Best for

First step of a double cleanse
Heavy, long-wear or waterproof makeup wearers
Daily sunscreen users who want a thorough removal

Why it’s trending

12K+ sold on TikTok Shop (one listing shared by the Original and other Clean It Zero balm variants)

Source

What we love

Melts full makeup, waterproof mascara and sunscreen quickly
Emulsifies into a milk and rinses without an oily film
Pleasant sherbet-to-oil texture with a spatula included
Sold in 25 ml, 100 ml and 180 ml sizes

Worth knowing

Contains added fragrance
Jar packaging is less hygienic than a pump
Some creators test whether it clogs pores, so acne-prone users may want to patch test
Some longtime fans say cheaper cleansing oils now do the same job

How it scored

The breakdown.

Five factors, weighted for formulas. Here’s our working.

8.2Great

Beauty score out of 10. Brands can’t pay for placement — ever.

Results30%8.6
Bloggers report it dissolves full-face makeup, waterproof mascara and SPF in about a minute and rinses without residue.
Formula & ingredients20%7.4
The ester and PEG-emulsifier base cleans efficiently, but added fragrance and comedogenicity concerns raised by some reviewers keep it below fragrance-free rivals.
Texture & experience15%8.6
The sherbet-to-oil melt, clean emulsification and spatula-equipped jar are repeatedly praised, though a jar is less hygienic than a pump.
Value20%7.8
At $21 for 100 ml from the brand it costs more than many cleansing oils, which some Reddit users cite as their reason for switching, though a little goes a long way per use.
Community love15%8.5
It is widely described as the balm that started the cleansing-balm craze and is a common first K-beauty purchase, though some r/AsianBeauty users say they have since moved to cheaper oils.

Beauty profile

Inside the bottle.

Texture

Firm, sherbet-like balm that melts into a light oil and turns milky with water

Format

Cleansing balm

Fragrance

Contains fragrance — Light, faint scent from added fragrance

Size

100 ml

Key ingredients

Ingredient encyclopedia →

VeVitamin EAntioxidants — ingredient guide

What’s in it: Ethylhexyl palmitate and cetyl ethylhexanoate esters do the dissolving; the brand highlights its Zero Balance Technology, hot spring water (onsen-sui), vitamin E and acerola (vitamin C-rich) extract.

How to use

Scoop with the included spatula and massage onto dry skin to break down makeup, add water to emulsify and massage again, then rinse with lukewarm water or wipe off.

Full ingredient list (INCI)22 ingredients · key actives highlighted · as listed by the brand

Ethylhexyl Palmitate,
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate,
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate,
PEG-10 Isostearate,
Synthetic Wax,
Onsen-Sui,
Phenoxyethanol,
Butylene Glycol,
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract,
Tocopheryl Acetate,
Fragrance,
Ethylhexylglycerin,
Water,
1,
2-Hexanediol,
Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract,
Aspalathus Linearis Extract,
Angelica Archangelica Root Extract,
Malpighia Glabra (Acerola) Fruit Extract,
Polydiethyleneglycol Adipate/IPDI Copolymer,
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer,
Acrylates/Methoxy PEG-15 Methacrylate Copolymer

Formulas change. Always check the packaging, and patch-test if your skin is reactive.

Official product page

Creator video reviews

Watch it in action.

Real reviews, try-ons and wear tests from independent creators — verified with TikTok and YouTube and labelled when sponsored.

We don’t pay creators for reviews, and they don’t pay us. Nothing from TikTok or YouTube loads until you press play.

What people say

Straight from the source.

Verbatim from Reddit, forums, blogs and the beauty press — linked, so you can read the whole thread.

5 verbatim quotes · 3 positive · 1 mixed · 1 critical

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog

It rinses clean without any sort of oily residue, and its light and pleasant aroma disappears altogether.

lola seicentoLola's Secret Beauty Blog · 2025-07Source

Mirai Skin

My first cleanse with it removed a full face of makeup, foundation, concealer, mascara, and sunscreen, with about 60 seconds of gentle massaging.

AnonymousMirai SkinSource

r/AsianBeauty

for me it was the banila co clean it zero! totally blew my mind back then. i outgrew it though since there are so many good/cheaper cleansing oils now

u/Shirley_Millerar/AsianBeauty · 2026-102Source

r/KoreanBeauty

One of my first products was actually the Banila Co. clean it zero balm, and apparently it turns 20 this year? Insane to me. It’s still my holy grail makeup remover, especially now that I can buy it at Ulta and not just online

u/AngelAndABumblebeer/KoreanBeauty · 2026-042Source

r/KoreanBeauty

I have tried double cleansing using the Banila Clean it Zero and my normal IT cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser and I must be doing something wrong because my eye makeup just smears around with the Banila

u/MuthaFireflyr/KoreanBeauty · 2026-041Source

Price & value

Is it worth it?

Typical price

$21.00

for 100 ml

Per ounce

$6.21

DrugstoreMid-rangePrestigeLuxury

Roughly 2.3× the typical price per ounce for cleansers. Our value score: 7.8/10 for a mid-range pick.

Price checked November 2026 at a non-Amazon retailer. Prices change — retailers show the current one.

Where to buy

Check price on Amazon Shop on TikTok Shop12,766 sold Buy from the brand$21.00 ◎See it at Target

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. How we make money

Community

What members noticed.

Ratings, skin types and the benefits people actually saw — logged on the Benefit Wheel.

No member ratings yet.

Tried it? Your score — and your skin or hair type — helps the next person decide.

Highlighted: what it’s built to do.

Discussion

No discussions yet.

Tried Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original? Ask a question or share how it’s working for your skin or hair — you’ll be the first.

FAQ

Good questions.

Do I need to double cleanse after Clean It Zero?

Banila Co positions it as the first step of a double-cleansing routine. Bloggers say it rinses clean on its own, but a water-based second cleanser is the usual follow-up after heavy makeup or sunscreen.

Should I apply it to wet or dry skin?

Dry. The brand's directions say to massage it onto dry skin to break down makeup, then add water to emulsify before rinsing.

Is the Original version fragrance-free?

No. Fragrance is listed in the ingredients. Reviewers describe the scent as light and say it disappears after rinsing.

Does it remove waterproof mascara?

Reviewers report that it dissolves waterproof mascara and SPF within about a minute of gentle massage.

Sources we checked (11)

Alternatives

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