Dr. Althea

Dr. Althea Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm.

Cleansers

About this product

A cleansing balm sold in a twist-to-reveal grinding dispenser, designed to remove makeup, sunscreen and everyday buildup from the skin.

Full ingredients

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, PEG-10 Isostearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside, Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin

Guru Score

74%

Mixed

5 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

The twist-to-reveal grinding packaging keeps coming up, with gurus calling it satisfying and mess-free to use. Most takes say the balm breaks up sunscreen, tinted makeup and buildup well, though a few found its formula less impressive than rival balms, even while liking the packaging. Those who wear sunscreen or makeup may want to follow it with a water-based cleanser to rinse everything away.

Synthesized from 5 expert reviews · most recent take June 2026

What they liked

Mess-free grinding dispenser
Removes makeup and sunscreen effectively
Calming ingredients like centella asiatica

What they flagged

Formula is average compared to other balms
Sister product has a superior ingredient list

Type

CleansersBalm & ointment

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

Clogged or visible pores1 expert

“Not only is it really satisfying and a very clean process of using a cleansing balm because it is a grinding one, but this one does a really good job of deeply cleansing the pores while it's breaking up all the sunscreen, makeup, dirt, sebum, all the buildup that's on your skin and has recently been my new favorite cleansing balm.”

Hyram, watch at 7:15

Eczema1 expert

“and one of, if not the only cleansing balm that's actually got eczema foundation approval.”

Doctorly, watch at 2:19

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

The Budget Dermatologist

725k subs

~Yay

"Instead of an overpriced cleansing balm, I'd use the Grinding Cleansing Balm by Dr. Althea, around $16 on Prime Day. They also make a version in light blue that I love."

Hyram

4.33M subs

~Yay

"The Dr. Althia Porefresh Grinding Cleansing Balm is my recent favorite. This one's especially mess free because it twists to reveal the formula which is much more sanitary and mess-free as you're removing your makeup. Cleansing balms are just the best of the best."

All 5 takes from Hyram

The Truth About Alix Earle's Skin Care Brand

"Dr. Althea Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm is one of my favorites. [...] I really like this packaging and I definitely appreciate that they use it in this brand."

Every Product I’ve Emptied in 2026 (and What I’d Rebuy 👀)

"Not only is this better for me, someone who has very visible and oily pores, but the ingredient list on this one is far superior to the ingredient list used on their pure grinding cleansing balm. [...] I personally think this is far superior. [...] It's just such a good formula. I already repurchased another one. I really like it. And of course, [...] the grinding packaging is so satisfying and so mess-free to use. [...] I definitely recommend this one and really enjoyed hitting empty on it."

I Tried Every Allure 2025 Beauty Winner (here are the best 👀)

"So I love that this makes it a lot easier and mess-free. [...] I have to say, I really really enjoyed using this one. I've been using it consistently for like the past week, week and a half, and it always does a really good job of breaking up my makeup, [...] tinted sunscreen and powder. [...] It does a really good job of removing my makeup and my sunscreen, breaking up everything on my face to then follow up with a good water-based cleanser. Honestly, no complaints when it comes to this one."

Every Summer Skin Care Hack You Need For Your Glow Up ☀️

"I have been loving this one. Not only is it really satisfying and a very clean process of using a cleansing balm because it is a grinding one, but this one does a really good job of deeply cleansing the pores while it's breaking up all the sunscreen, makeup, dirt, sebum, all the buildup that's on your skin and has recently been my new favorite cleansing balm."

7 Things No Longer Worth Your Money (Skin Care Edition)

Doctorly

3.59M subs

~Yay

"I actually like their cleansing balm quite a bit."

All 2 takes from Doctorly

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"I actually like their cleansing balm quite a bit."

2025 BEST BLACK FRIDAY CYBER MONDAY SKINCARE AND DEVICE DEALS LIVE

"I really like their Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm. It's a bit similar to the shredding balm that we have except ours is a bit of the derm take hyalinoleic acid rich lipids and just a little bit more focus on sensitive eyelids, sensitive eyes, sensitive skin, and one of, if not the only cleansing balm that's actually got eczema foundation approval."

Mad About Skin

734k subs

~Mixed

"It's not bad but it's not great either. It's a good quality mid-range cleansing balm with some nice packaging. Personally I still prefer other cleansing balms which [...] just work better. So for me I would rather have better quality balm and less fancy packaging. But if you're someone that hates scooping out cleansing balm and you want something like this, it's a nice product, it's innovative in terms of its packaging and it's a nice one that you might want to try."

James Welsh

1.58M subs

~Mixed

"Dr. Althea's pure grinding cleansing balm went viral recently for a good reason, but Beplain do a better version of this in my opinion."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Frequently asked.

What is Dr. Althea Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm?

A cleansing balm sold in a twist-to-reveal grinding dispenser, designed to remove makeup, sunscreen and everyday buildup from the skin.

Is Dr. Althea Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 74%.

What is Dr. Althea Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm's Guru Score?

Dr. Althea Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm holds a Guru Score of 74%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 5 expert reviewers we have collected.