I’ve heard about Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm for a while, but never got around to trying it. Then when IT Cosmetics sent me their new Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm — and fell absolutely in love — I knew I had to get the Clinique one and compare them. So I did just that…can you guess which one was better?
Press Sample Purchased by Me Affiliate Links
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup VS Clinique Take the Day Off
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
Retail: $29 | Click for Ingredient List & More Info
This is a lightweight makeup remover that goes from balm to oil to milk to melt away every trace of eye and face makeup and sunscreen. It’s made to suite all skin types — from sensitive to oily. For the price you get 3.8 oz.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm
Retail: $38 | Click for Ingredient List & More Information
This Bye Bye Makeup is a revolutionary, three-in-one cleanser, purifying makeup remover, and anti-aging serum that will help you achieve better looking skin. It’s made to suite all skin types — from sensitive to oily. For the price you get 2.82 fl oz and it smells heavenly — I’m horrible at describing scents, but it’s a lemony smell.
Comparisons = Which is Best?
I used them, side by side, for about a week — one on the left side of my face and the other on my right. I got a really good feel for how these perform and the differences between them.
The consistency of both cleansing balms are very similar, with that solid yet soft formula — much like coconut oil. There is a slight difference between the two, though. I found the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup formula to be a lot softer and smoother. The Clinique Take the Day Off was more solid and took just a bit more work to warm it up and completely turn it to liquid. The IT Cosmetics’ one was almost the instant you touched your face.
These products perform very similarly! I mean, so close it was almost hard to tell a difference when I rinsed them off my face. But I did notice that Clinique’s Take the Day Off cleansing balm got my face a touch cleaner. If I had a stubborn mascara or eyeliner on, the side that I used the Clinique one would be just a bit more makeup free than the IT Cosmetics. But, seriously, it was VERY close!
There aren’t many other differences to mention except that the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup has a delightful fragrance about it that makes it very enjoyable to use. The Clinique Take the Day Off doesn’t have a smell as far as I can tell. Also, the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup does NOT sting my eyes if I open them. Which is FANTASTIC! The Clinique one, on the other hand, DOES sting my eyes. Something to be aware of. 🙂
So there you have it!
So there you have it!Both cleansing balms are amazing and get the job done. The IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup is a nicer experience, doesn’t hurt my eyes…but you don’t get as much product for the higher price. The Clinique Take the Day Off is bit better at getting the makeup off and you get more for a lesser price…but it will sting your eyes.
Have you tried either of these cleansing balms? What’s your favorite way to remove your makeup at the end of the night?
The IT Cosmetics product was sent to me for editorial consideration. The Clinique product was purchased by me. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I get a tiny payment if you purchase through my links. Any questions about my disclosure, read HERE. 
Thank you for your support!
Judy says
The clinique didn’t burn my eyes and I’m pretty sensitive.
Katie G says
That’s good to know, I just must be sensitive to a certain ingredient in there.
Ashley says
Such a great article! I have been wanting to try one of these but didn’t know which one to try. I think you really helped me decide 🙂 Thanks!
Katie G says
I am so glad you found this helpful!! <3
Julie says
I’ve only tried the Clinique one, and that was years ago. I do want to try the IT one though! My fav cleansing balms are the Eve Lom and Colleen Rothschild. Both are so $$, but work so well. Sadly, the Pixi one (with the cream cleanser on the other side) just doesn’t work for me.
Katie G says
I didn’t like the Pixi duo cleanser either, it was just okay. The Eve Lom smelled kinda…herbal-y, so while it worked nice I didn’t enjoy using it so much. But I haven’t tried the Colleen Rothschild one yet — I’ve gotta put that on my list!
h says
are you done w this blog? keep checking for new posts but it’s been a month
Katie G says
Hey! Thanks so much for checking in! I am still here…I’ve just been very sick the past two months. At the beginning of May I found out I was pregnant with our second child and shortly after posting this comparison I was hit with morning sickness. With both my first, and now this, pregnancy I get VERY sick for the first 2-3 months. So sick that most days I don’t leave the couch. But! I am now 13 weeks along and starting to feel a little better. Each week I’m getting closer to feeling “normal” again and I hope to be able to share a new post soon! 🙂 Again, thank you for checking in with this blog — I hate that I haven’t been able to keep up with it! But I will be back! Hopefully, sooner rather than later! <3 <3 <3
H says
Feel better!! It does get better!!
Denise says
Thank you for the comparison.
Yvonne Masters says
I just bought the trial size at Ulta of the Clinique TTDO balm. I did have to use two dime size amounts at removing all my makeup. I really want to try the IT brand, but they don’t offer trial sizes. I’m big on fragrance, so i might just take the leap and buy it to try it.