Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Aqua/Water/Eau, Sucrose Laurate, Sucrose Stearate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Bisabolol, Phospholipids, Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sucrose Palmitate, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate.
Balancing Cleansing Emulsion is a high-potency product. It is only available for purchase via our network of clinical professionals.
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Skin is left clean, soft, and soothed. This gel-to-milk cleanser melts away makeup, sunscreen, and impurities without stripping, calming visible redness and reactivity while supporting your skin barrier. Gentle enough for sensitized and post-procedure skin.
Clinically tested | Free of Paraben, SLS, SLES, Phthalates, and Gluten
All skin types
Sensitized and post-treatment skin
Gentle cleansing
Barrier support
Light Emollients: Skin-mimetic blend that conditions + supports the lipid barrier to deliver a supple, comfortable cleanse
Sugar-Derived Emulsifying Surfactants: Ultra mild, non-foaming cleansers with a light feel that lift oil + impurities without disrupting the skin barrier
Bisabolol + Oat Kernel Extract: Powerful soothers that help to visibly calm reddened + itchy skin and mitigate reactivity
Awarded a Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association.
EXPERT GUIDANCE
Apply AM + PM as the first step in your routine.
Massage onto dry skin around face and eyes for one minute to dissolve makeup and impurities. Add water to transform into a milky emulsion, then rinse thoroughly.
Use as the first cleansing step in your routine. For normal skin, Balancing Cleansing Emulsion can be used as a pre-cleanse to remove heavy makeup or stubborn sunscreen. For sensitized or post-procedure skin, use Balancing Cleansing Emulsion as your primary cleanser.
Skin feels soothed, supple, and strong.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using Balancing Cleansing Emulsion?
ZO® Balancing Cleansing Emulsion is a clinically shown, conditioning gel-to-milk cleanser that supports the protective skin barrier, leaving even sensitized skin soothed, supple, and strong. It melts on contact with skin to lift oil and impurities while protecting the skin's barrier. Upon activation with water, it transforms into a milky fluid that rinses clean with no residue. It provides calming benefits for all skin types, including sensitized and post-treatment skin, and is fragrance-, dye- and sulfate-free. It carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, validating its suitability for reactive and compromised skin.
What is "sensitized" skin?
Sensitized skin can be a temporary or chronic condition caused by internal and environmental factors, such as the dry heat of winter or over-using aggressive skincare products. At ZO® Skin Health, "sensitive" skin is understood to be sensitized, weakened skin that needs to be strengthened with the right products, rather than an inherent skin type. Balancing Cleansing Emulsion is specifically formulated to support this process, cleansing without disrupting the skin's protective barrier.
Do I need to use a makeup remover before using this product?
No. For those with non-sensitized skin, Balancing Cleansing Emulsion can be used as a pre-cleanse to remove heavy makeup or stubborn sunscreen, followed by a ZO® water-soluble cleanser suited to your skin type: Gentle Cleanser for all skin types, Exfoliating Cleanser for oily and blemish-prone skin, or Hydrating Cleanser for normal to dry skin. For sensitized or post-procedure skin, use Balancing Cleansing Emulsion as your primary cleanser without the double-cleanse step.
Can I only use this if I've had a procedure or treatment done?
No. Balancing Cleansing Emulsion is formulated for everyday use on normal to sensitized skin, not only post-procedure skin. It is particularly well-suited to skin that has become sensitized through seasonal changes, environmental stress, or over-use of aggressive skincare products. For non-sensitized skin, it can also be used as a pre-cleanse to remove heavy makeup or stubborn sunscreen, followed by a ZO® water-soluble cleanser for your skin type. For sensitized skin, use it as your primary cleanser.
What is meant by "upon activation with water"?
Balancing Cleansing Emulsion begins as a creamy gel applied to dry skin. When water is added, it activates into an easy-to-rinse milky emulsion.
Is this a foaming cleanser?
No. Balancing Cleansing Emulsion is non-foaming. It uses ultra-mild sugar-derived emulsifying surfactants (sucrose laurate, sucrose stearate, and sucrose palmitate) that lift oil and impurities without disrupting the skin barrier. Alongside bisabolol and oat kernel extract for calming, and a light emollient blend for barrier conditioning, the formula is designed to clean without the stripping effect associated with foaming cleansers, making it appropriate for sensitized and post-procedure skin.