Elemis Cleansing Balm review: I tried Molly-Mae’s go-to cleanser with thousands of five-star ratings – and it’s on sale

ELEMIS' Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm has earned its spot in the skincare hall of fame, with a cult following that spans over a decade.

The cleanser has gained a long list of celebrity supporters over the years; Victoria Beckham, Cara Delevigne and Molly-Mae Hague are all said to be fans.

Almost every skincare lover will be familiar with Elemis' signature cleanser, and as a beauty writer, I'm ashamed to admit that I hadn't tried it before conducting this Elemis Cleansing Balm review.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, £39.20 (was £49)

Keen to test out anything that will work on my dry skin (and give me the complexion of Molly-Mae), I've been using the balm daily for around three months.

In this review, I'll share my experience with the celeb-approved buy (which is currently reduced in the Amazon Spring Sale) and give my honest verdict on whether it's worth it

Released in 2013, the Elemis cleansing balm is known for its three-in-one formula, which starts as a balm and transforms into an oil when warmed up in the hands.

Its rich texture emulsifies into a milk when mixed with water, removing make-up and impurities while hydrating the skin.

Whether it's on a Boots advert or in an influencer's skincare routine video, the cleanser seems to be quite literally everywhere, despite being around for over 10 years.

It has an impressive 4.9-out-of-five star rating on the Boots website with over 2k reviews — but is it worth the price tag?

Pros

• Easily removes make-up
• Leaves the skin feeling hydrated
• Only a small amount of product needed
• Gives a glowy finish
• Suitable for all skin types
• Luxurious scent
• Multiple scent choices

Cons

• Quite expensive
• Using it as a face mask left my skin feeling greasy

Rating: 5/5

How I tested

As Flying Eze's Fashion and Beauty eCommerce Writer, it's my job to test trending products and weigh in on whether they're truly worth adding to your basket.

I've tried countless cleansers over the years at various price points, and I switched out my holy grail Byoma Oil Cleanser for the Pro-Collagen Balm for this review.

I've been using the beauty buy as my first cleanse daily, and as someone who struggles with dry skin (particularly during winter), I kept an eye on the longer-term impact it's had on my skin.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm: quick summary

I added the Elemis Pro-Collagen Balm to my skincare routine around three months ago, and it's here to stay.

As one of the only cleansers I've used that truly leaves my skin feeling brighter and softer immediately after using, I can see why it's one of the top contenders in the beauty world.

The soft balm texture becomes an oil once it's warmed in the hands, and transforms into a rich milk when mixed with water.

I use it as my first cleanse, following up with a second cleanser before my serums and moisturiser.

It can also be applied to clean skin for 10-15 minutes as a nourishing mask.

I tried the product as a mask a couple of times, but I found that using it as a cleanser left my skin hydrated enough without needing the extra step.

As it's quite fragranced, those with sensitive or acne-prone skin may not respond well to leaving the balm on for extended periods, but the Elemis Pro-Collagen Naked Cleansing Balm is an alternative specifically for sensitive skin.

I love that the cleanser gives an extra moisture boost, and doesn't leave me crying out for a face cream immediately after use.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm: full review

First impressions

Since it's been all over my social media for years I'm familiar with Elemis' packaging, but I was pleasantly surprised by the size.

I love skincare that comes in a tub as you can get out every drop of the product before needing to restock.

I own the 100g tub, and it's clear from the small amount I've used so far that it'll last months, as a little goes a long way.

One thing that's put me off cleansing balms in the past is a firm texture that needs to be vigorously warmed in the hands before it's any use (I'm looking at you, Clinique Take The Day Off).

Thankfully, Elemis' balm has a creamy texture that comes right off into your hands, and it really does feel luxurious.

I'm not typically a fan of scented skincare so I found the combination of lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus to be overpowering at first, but now it's one of my favourite features — it really does smell like a spa in a bottle.

It's made with a blend of nine essential oils designed to ‘invigorate the senses', and it creates a relaxing atmosphere that makes the whole experience of removing make-up more enjoyable.

Performance

I used the Pro-Collagen Balm every evening as my first cleanse to remove my make-up and SPF.

My usual routine consists of using an oil cleanser first, following up with my Byoma Jelly Cleanser, and then serums and moisturiser.

As per the recommended guidance, I applied the product to my dry face and neck, massaging it in circular motions before wiping away any residue with a wet, warm cloth.

While the balm can be applied directly to the face, I preferred warming it up slightly in my hands before working it into the skin.

I was impressed by how easily my make-up melted away every time, even when I was wearing waterproof mascara.

I would recommend using a cloth rather than your hands to wash away the product, as it would be easy enough to leave oil residue on the face if not thoroughly removed, which could lead to breakouts.

I'm usually rushing to apply moisturiser at this point as my face can feel tight and dry after cleansing.

However, the Elemis balm is one of the few cleansers that leaves my skin feeling hydrated rather than stripped of moisture, and I've noticed a glowy finish to my complexion that actually lasts.

A little really does go a long way with this product.

I only needed to use a small amount to cleanse my whole face, and if you want to get the best bang for your buck, it's definitely worth warming it into an oil to spread it as far as possible.

I used the Elemis balm as a face mask on a couple of occasions, leaving it on my skin for the recommended 15 minutes.

This could be a useful step if your skin is screaming out for some hydration, but I found that using it daily as a cleanser was nourishing enough.

My skin also felt slightly greasy after using the balm as a mask, even after properly washing it off.

While the £49 price tag for a 100g tub isn't the cheapest, I expect it to be using the same tub for several months, so it's more cost-effective than I anticipated (plus, it's currently on sale).

As the consistency is rich and hydrating, my dry skin has loved the balm so far, but I can see the product working as a first cleanse for all skin types.

How much is Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm?

Elemis' cleansing balm comes in four sizes, with the smallest (20g) costing £13.50 (and it's currently £10 at Look Fantastic).

I tested out the full-size £100 tub which costs £49 and probably works out as the most cost-effective, although the 20g or 50g (£29), are ideal if you want to try before taking the plunge.

Die-hard fans of the product can also shop an extra large 200g version for £86.

Where to buy the Elemis Cleansing Balm

The cleanser is stocked on the Elemis website, as well as at several big retailers including Amazon and Boots.

The 100g version is also currently reduced by £10 on several sites, but it's unclear when the deal will end.

• £49 at Elemis – buy here
• £49 £39.20 at Boots – buy here
• £49 £39.20 at Amazon – buy here
• £49 £39.20 at Look Fantastic – buy here

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, £39.20 (was £49)

Alternatives

Elemis Pro-Collagen is royalty in the beauty world, but it's not the only one to receive rave reviews.

Beauty Pie, The Inkey List and Emma Hardie are alternative brands that have highly-rated cleansing balms.

If you're a loyal Elemis fan, the original Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm also comes with two other scent options.

• Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm in Green Fig, £49 – buy here
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm in Rose, £49 – buy here

The verdict

Is the Elemis Pro-Collagen Balm worth the price tag? To put it simply, yes.

There are several reasons why I can confidently confirm that the cleanser has earned its bestseller status; the first being that it does exactly what it says on the tin.

It really does melt away make-up, so there will never be any need to scrub when you're removing stubborn mascara.

My skin felt nourished after using it, too, as it doesn't strip away its natural moisture, and the smell really is divine.

I also love that you can get every bit of the product out of the tub to save any wastage.

Beauty fans who are unsure whether to take the plunge can try out one of the smaller sizes, so you don't need to commit to the £49 price tag right away (the cheapest option is just £13.50).

I will be repurchasing my cleansing balm when I finish this tub — the Molly-Mae effect strikes once again!

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