Why it’s worth it: Farmacy’s Green Clean Cleansing Balm was already a Best of Beauty winner before its 2025 reformulation, and the updated version earned another award in 2026. Clearly, the changes haven’t messed with a good thing. The minty-green balm still has that melts-in-your-fingertips, balm-to-oil texture that removes nearly every trace of SPF and waterproof makeup—no greasy film in sight. “You’re never tugging or scrubbing at your skin with this cleanser,” says Morgana Colombo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reston, Virginia.
So what actually changed? The latest formula has an updated emulsifier system to help the balm rinse away more easily, swaps synthetic waxes for plant-based alternatives, and introduces the brand’s signature Super Greens Blend of upcycled moringa, holy basil, and arugula (botanicals sourced from materials that might otherwise go to waste).
P.S. While it doesn’t contain synthetic fragrance, its recognizable citrus-herbal scent comes from a blend of essential oils, including orange, bergamot, lime, and ylang-ylang. You can still reap all the makeup-melting benefits with the fragrance-free version.
“Few products completely remove every trace of makeup quite like Farmacy’s Green Clean Cleansing Balm. My skin is generally pretty clear, but when I’m not washing my face properly, it’s quick to let me know it’s angry with me. This balm provides such a thorough, gentle cleanse that it’s never made my skin unhappy.” —Sarah Hoffman, commerce market editor
“Waterproof mascara? No problem. Casty, mineral sunscreen? Easy, peasy! Summertime grime? You bet Farmacy’s cleansing balm can remove it—and remove it quickly with ease. Trust me, as someone who has tried to smear off all of the above (and more!), there’s nothing this buttery, melt-in-your-hands cleanser—made with sunflower and moringa oils and papaya extract—can’t handle. I love it after a long day at the office where a full face beat is the norm, or after an incredibly stinky, sweaty workout. It removes everything in seconds, leaves skin with a smooth (not tacky) finish, and makes for the perfect first step in my double-cleansing routine.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
- Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, Super Greens Blend (upcycled moringa, holy basil, arugula), papaya extract
- Fragrance-free: free of synthetic fragrance
Overnight Overachiever: 10% Niacinamide Night Mask
Farmacy
10% Niacinamide Night Mask
Why it’s worth it: Niacinamide has earned its status as skin care’s “It” ingredient in recent years, addressing the most common complexion concerns, whether your skin is oily, dry, sensitive, or somewhere in between. Farmacy’s 10% Niacinamide Night Mask doubles down on those benefits with a high-strength dose of the active to regulate excess oil, soften the look of pores, brighten uneven tone, and calm redness. To balance things out, the formula pairs niacinamide with 3% panthenol and beta-glucan to hydrate skin and antioxidant-rich upcycled blueberry seed. FYI: Niacinamide is fine to use during the day and isn’t known to make skin more sensitive to the sun, but because this mask has a richer texture, it’s better suited for nighttime use, when you don’t have to worry about it feeling too slick under makeup or sunscreen.
