APRILSKIN Carrotene IPMP Hydromelt Cleansing Balm Review: Does It Actually Remove Sunscreen?

Let’s cut through the noise: cleansing balms are everywhere in K-beauty, and most of them do the same thing. So when APRILSKIN released their Carrotene IPMP Hydromelt Cleansing Balm, I was skeptical. Another orange-tinted balm promising to melt away makeup and sunscreen? Sure, Jan.

But here’s the thing—after using it for a month straight, including testing it against the cult-favorite Banila Co Clean It Zero, I have thoughts. Strong ones.

First Impressions: What’s in the Jar?

The APRILSKIN Carrotene IPMP Hydromelt Cleansing Balm comes in a 3.04 fl oz (90ml) tub with a spatula included. The balm itself is a bright orange color that immediately tells you there’s beta-carotene in the formula. It’s not just for show—the color comes from actual carrot extract.

Texture: Solid balm that melts into an oil upon contact with skin Scent: Very subtle, slightly herbal. Not artificial or overwhelming Packaging: Standard tub design with a screw-off lid and hygienic spatula

Comparing to Banila Co Clean It Zero

If you’re familiar with K-beauty, you know Banila Co is the OG cleansing balm. Here’s how they stack up visually:

Banila Co: White/translucent balm, larger 100ml size
APRILSKIN: Orange balm, 90ml, includes IPMP (anti-acne ingredient)
Price: APRILSKIN at $20.99 vs Banila Co at ~$25

Right off the bat, APRILSKIN offers better value if we’re talking price per ml.

The Ingredient Breakdown: Why Carrotene and IPMP Matter

Let’s talk about what makes this balm different from the dozens of others out there.

Beta-Carotene (Carrot Extract)

Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that:

Protects skin from free radical damage
Provides vitamin A precursors for skin health
Offers anti-inflammatory benefits
Gives skin a healthy, radiant appearance

It’s not just a gimmick ingredient—there’s actual science behind including it in a cleansing product.

IPMP (Isopropyl Methylphenol)

This is the game-changer. IPMP is an anti-bacterial and anti-acne ingredient rarely found in cleansing balms. It:

Fights acne-causing bacteria
Helps prevent breakouts from oil-based cleansing
Soothes inflamed skin
Makes this suitable for acne-prone skin (which is rare for balm cleansers)

Other Key Ingredients

Sunflower Seed Oil: Lightweight oil that dissolves makeup and SPF Shea Butter: Adds nourishment without heaviness Vitamin E: Additional antioxidant protection Papaya Extract: Gentle enzymatic exfoliation

Red flags? None that I found. No fragrance, no essential oils that commonly irritate skin, no controversial ingredients.

The Ultimate Test: Removing Waterproof Everything

I tested this balm with the toughest products I could throw at it:

Waterproof mascara (Heroine Make—notoriously difficult to remove)
Long-wear liquid lipstick
Heavy-duty sunscreen (SPF50+ chemical and physical)
Full-coverage foundation

Test 1: Sunscreen Removal

This is the most important test because if your cleansing balm doesn’t remove sunscreen properly, you’ll end up with clogged pores and breakouts.

Application: One spatula scoop for entire face Massage time: 60 seconds Emulsification: Added water and massaged for another 30 seconds

Results: Completely removed both chemical sunscreens (like the SKIN1004 I reviewed last week) and physical sunscreens. The balm turned milky white when emulsified—a good sign that it’s properly breaking down the SPF.

Rating: 10/10 for sunscreen removal

Test 2: Waterproof Makeup

Eye makeup: Removed mascara and eyeliner without excessive rubbing. The key is patience—let the balm sit on your eyes for 10-15 seconds before massaging.

Face makeup: Full-coverage foundation melted away completely. No residue left behind.

Lip products: Even stubborn liquid lipsticks came off, though they required a bit more massage time.

Rating: 9/10 for makeup removal (deducting one point because waterproof mascara needed a few extra seconds)

Test 3: The White Towel Test

Here’s a test most reviews don’t do: after using the balm and rinsing, I pressed a white towel to my face.

Result: Clean towel. No brown or orange residue, which means the balm actually removed all the makeup and sunscreen—it didn’t just spread it around.

This is important because some cleansing oils seem to work but actually just distribute the products across your face.

The Cleansing Experience: What It Feels Like

Application

Using the spatula, I take about a nickel-sized amount. It feels cold and solid initially, then immediately starts melting as soon as it touches your skin.

The melting point is perfect—not too high (where it stays solid and drags) or too low (where it’s already liquid in the jar).

Massage Phase

This is where the balm shines. The texture transforms from solid to silky oil that glides across the skin. There’s enough slip that you’re not tugging at delicate areas, but enough grip that you feel like it’s actually working.

Massage time needed: 30-60 seconds for light makeup, 60-90 seconds for heavy makeup/sunscreen

Emulsification

When you add water, the balm turns into a milky cleanser. This emulsification step is crucial—it’s what allows the oil and all the dissolved makeup/sunscreen to rinse away cleanly.

Key tip: Don’t add too much water at once. Wet your hands slightly and continue massaging. Gradually add more water until it’s fully emulsified.

Rinse-Off

Rinses completely clean without leaving an oily film. This is huge. Some cleansing balms leave your skin feeling slick or coated even after rinsing.

Residue factor: 0/10 (which is what you want)

Skin Feel After Use: The Real Story

Immediately after rinsing and patting dry:

Hydration level: Skin doesn’t feel stripped or tight Texture: Smooth and soft Oil balance: Balanced—not overly dry or greasy Sensitivity: No redness, burning, or irritation

After 4 weeks of daily use:

No increase in breakouts (I’m acne-prone)
No clogged pores or blackheads
Skin texture improved slightly (likely from proper makeup/SPF removal)
No dryness, even though I’m using it daily

The IPMP ingredient seems to genuinely help prevent breakouts from oil cleansing, which has been a problem for me with other balms.

Who This Balm Is (And Isn't) For

This Balm Is Perfect For You If

✓ You wear sunscreen daily (you should!)

✓ You wear makeup regularly

✓ You’re acne-prone and nervous about oil cleansing

✓ You want antioxidant benefits in your cleansing step

✓ You have combination to oily skin

✓ You practice double cleansing

✓ You want something effective but gentle

Skip This If

✗ You don’t wear makeup or sunscreen (a simple cleanser would be more economical)

✗ You’re allergic to any ingredients listed

✗ You prefer a liquid oil cleanser over a balm

✗ You have extremely sensitive skin that reacts to most products (always patch test)

APRILSKIN vs Banila Co: The Showdown

Since everyone asks, here’s my direct comparison:

Makeup Removal Effectiveness

Winner: Tie—both remove makeup excellently

Sunscreen Removal

Winner: APRILSKIN (slightly better at removing physical/mineral sunscreens)

Breakout Prevention

Winner: APRILSKIN (thanks to IPMP)

Texture/Feel

Winner: Personal preference (Banila is lighter, APRILSKIN is more nourishing)

Price

Winner: APRILSKIN ($20.99 vs ~$25)

Availability of Variants

Winner: Banila Co (they have multiple versions for different skin types)

Bottom line: If you’re acne-prone or want better value, choose APRILSKIN. If you want ultra-lightweight and have multiple skin-type options, Banila Co still holds its crown.

How to Use It Correctly (Most People Get This Wrong)

Step 1: Use on DRY skin with DRY hands

Wet skin prevents the balm from properly dissolving makeup/SPF

Step 2: Take enough product

Don’t be stingy. A nickel to quarter-sized amount for full face

Step 3: Massage for at least 60 seconds

This isn’t a quick step. Let the balm do its job

Step 4: Add water gradually

Wet hands slightly, continue massaging until it emulsifies

Step 5: Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water

Make sure all the milky residue is gone

Step 6: Follow with your regular cleanser

This is the first step of double cleansing, not a standalone cleanser

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using it as your only cleanser: This is an oil-based first cleanser. Always follow with a water-based second cleanser.
Applying to wet skin: The balm won’t work as effectively if your skin is already wet.
Not massaging long enough: 15 seconds won’t cut it. Give it time.
Using too little product: Trying to save money by using tiny amounts means you won’t get proper cleansing.
Skipping it on “no-makeup” days: If you wore sunscreen (which you should), you need this.

The Verdict: Worth the Hype?

Overall Rating: 9/10

The APRILSKIN Carrotene IPMP Hydromelt Cleansing Balm delivers on its promises. It removes makeup and sunscreen effectively, doesn’t cause breakouts, and offers ingredients that go beyond basic cleansing.

Why not a perfect 10? The only reason I’m not giving it a perfect score is that the jar size is slightly smaller than some competitors, and it doesn’t come in different variants for specific skin types.

Would I repurchase? Absolutely yes.

At $20.99, is it worth it? For the performance and the IPMP ingredient inclusion, definitely.

Where to Buy & Final Thoughts

The APRILSKIN Carrotene IPMP Hydromelt Cleansing Balm is currently on sale from $29.99 to $20.99, which is an excellent deal for a premium K-beauty cleansing balm.

If you’re serious about properly removing sunscreen (and you should be), this is an investment in your skin’s health. Breakouts from leftover SPF and makeup residue are real, and a good first-step cleanser prevents them.

Shop APRILSKIN Carrotene IPMP Cleansing Balm here and experience proper double cleansing.