Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm: Is It Worth The Hype?
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If I could only ever repurchase one luxury beauty item from my collection, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm would win, hands down. I know, I know, this viral product is so unbelievably hyped, but for good reason. The cult following is well deserved, trust me!
As someone with sensitive, acne-prone skin, I have to admit I really didn’t think I’d get on with this balm. An aromatherapy-based skincare brand, Elemis is not shy about incorporating essential oils, and I’m keen on avoiding fragrance where I can… so we just weren’t aligned.
But I might be eating my words because I’ve been using this cleansing balm on and off for the past few years, and I can’t help but come back to it. In this post I’ll delve into the reasons why.
I’ll be sharing my honest thoughts on the texture, the scent, how well it performs, and just generally whether it’s worth the money. So, if you’re interested in finding out more about Elemis’ bestselling cleansing balm, stick around!
What is the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm?
There’s usually one product that comes to mind when people hear the name Elemis, and it’s this one: the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm.
It’s the brand’s most recognisable skincare product and it’s built up quite a following over the years.
The Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is a rich and luxurious balm-to-oil-to-milk cleanser which is meant to remove makeup and nourish the skin at the same time. Elemis describes it as a ‘journey through three textures’ which reveal themselves as you go through the cleansing process.
What’s really interesting is that the brand says you can also use it as a weekly skin-softening treatment. So, if you’re in the market for a new face mask, this might kill two birds with one stone.
The balm I’m reviewing today is the original scent, but this does actually come in a couple of other fragrance blends too, including:
Plus, there’s also a fragrance-free ‘Naked’ version for those with sensitive skin.
What are the key ingredients?
Packed with plant oils and Elemis’ signature blend of nine essential oils, this cleansing balm rolls hydration and relaxation into one. Some standout ingredients are:
- Sweet Almond Oil – Rich in fatty acids and vitamins A and E which smooth and soften the skin
- Shea Butter – Deeply moisturises the skin and is a rich source of antioxidants
- Borage Oil – Contains a high concentration of gamma-linolenic acid, a fatty acid which reduces inflammation and helps repair damaged skin
Texture
The texture of this cleansing balm is what really sells it. I haven’t come across another balm that’s quite as soft and buttery – it truly is in a league of its own.
Massage this into the skin and it quickly melts down into an oil that glides across your face with ease. That’s right, it provides plenty of slip with no tugging or dragging involved.
This Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm also wins points for just how smooth it is. Unlike other firmer cleansing balms, there’s no grittiness here, so it doesn’t feel like it’s scratching at your face when you’re rubbing it in.
When you’re done massaging, you just need add a bit of water and the oil takes on a milky consistency which washes off so easily. There’s no squeakiness or residue, and your skin won’t feel tight or dry after use.
Taking your makeup off with this really is such a pleasant experience!
Scent
If you’re not a fan of fragranced skincare, this Elemis Cleansing Balm may not be for you. With its mix of essential oils, the scent definitely isn’t subtle – it’s like a spa in a jar!
Some may find this overpowering, but – I can’t deny – it really does enhance the makeup removal experience. Even as someone who steers clear of essential oils, I have to say that there’s something really therapeutic about massaging this into my face at the end of a long day.
Just make sure to patch test this before properly using it (if your skin is ultra sensitive to essential oils), to avoid any irritation.
Performance
Because this balm melts down into an oil pretty quickly, I find that it takes off my makeup in very little time at all.
It breaks down waterproof mascara and budge-proof foundation with only a small amount of rubbing, and you don’t need to scrub your face to get the balm off either. Once it takes on its third and final milky texture, you’re ready to splash your face and move on to your second cleanser.
Value & where to buy it
You can grab the Elemis Cleansing Balm from most major beauty retailers, including Sephora, LOOKFANTASTIC and Cult Beauty.
You can also order this directly from the Elemis website. Using my discount code ELEMIS3853 will get you 20% off your purchase.
It comes in four different sizes, which you can choose from depending on your needs and budget:
- 20g = £13.50 (the perfect travel size!)
- 50g = £29
- 100g = £49
- 200g = £86 (for Pro-Collagen lovers!)
Final Verdict: Is it worth it?
If you’re someone who treats their skincare routine as a ritual, and wants something that’s relaxing and decadent, I think the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is 100% worth it.
It offers a really nice cleansing experience, that you don’t tend to get with simpler formulas that are made purely for functionality.
However, if you have sensitive skin, or just prefer fragrance-free formulas, this balm probably isn’t best suited to you. I’d suggest the Naked version instead, that way you’ll still get to experience the same amazing Pro-Collagen texture but without that strong scent or risk of irritation!
Budget-friendly alternatives to the Elemis Cleansing Balm:
While the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is a delight to use, it’s not exactly the kindest on your wallet. Don’t feel pressured to splurge though, because there are plenty of affordable cleansing balm options which do an equally great job:
JUNOCO Clean 10 Cleansing Balm (£13.99) ?
I personally think the JUNOCO Cleansing Balm is the budget-friendly option that comes closest to the Elemis one. It’s very smooth and buttery, and has the same three-phase texture. This also contains essential oils, but the scent is not quite as strong as the Elemis one. It’s lighter and more citrusy, so it could be a great option for fragrance-sensitive noses!
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm (£12) ?
Free from fragrance and essential oils, the Oat Cleansing Balm from The Inkey List is a great affordable swap if you have easily irritated skin. This is super nourishing, and doesn’t feel like it strips or dries out the skin at all. Plus, it comes in a tube, which is just so handy!
Q+A Grapefruit Cleansing Balm (£9.50) ☀️
Another cleansing balm in a squeezable tube! The Q+A Grapefruit Cleansing Balm has the same perfect balance of plant oils and essentials as the Elemis one, but with a much shorter ingredients list. It’s grapefruit scented (if you hadn’t already guessed!) so it’s really zingy and refreshing – a great pick for summer.
The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter (£13) ☕️
The Body Shop’s bestselling cleansing balm has toned down the essential oils, letting chamomile shine as its star ingredient. This is slightly more waxy than the Elemis balm, and requires a bit more warming up to get it to that oily state, but it’s really gentle and does a great job removing makeup.
Heimish All Clean Balm (£9.22) ?
Again, the Heimish cleansing balm doesn’t melt down quite as quickly as the Elemis one. But it’s another cleanser that does a fantastic job, and doesn’t irritate the skin (despite being packed with essential oils).
There you have it, my honest thoughts on the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. Are you keen to try it? Or do you think you’ll pick up a more affordable alternative instead? Let me know!
