I recently decided to try a new makeup remover from my usual Body Shop camomile cleansing butter – Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm.
A nourishing cleansing balm that melts away makeup, daily pollutants and impurities for a soft and glowing complexion.
I’m extremely wary of new products like this, especially ones where reviewers describe them as ‘melts in your fingers’ as I have very oily skin, so the last thing my skin needs is more oil.
![Elemis Cleansing Balm for oily, acne prone skin](https://ahoybeauty.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/elemis-cleansing-balm-makeup-closeup.jpg)
With a face full of makeup, I went in. I used about a large-pea sized amount then rubbed it together before gently rubbing it all over my face. I always start with my skin first, then move to the heavier makeup areas, such as my eyes. I don’t want to rub mascara all over my face if I scrubbed my eyes before my skin.
![Elemis Cleansing Balm for oily, acne prone skin](https://ahoybeauty.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/elemis-cleansing-balm-makeup2-576x1024.jpg)
The smell is gorgeous – I’ve been to spas that use Elemis and it completely took me back to that calm, tranquil state. It’s a beautiful smell but not overpowering – I don’t like strong smells in face products.
![Elemis Cleansing Balm for oily, acne prone skin](https://ahoybeauty.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/elemis-cleansing-balm-makeup-smell-658x1024.jpg)
How much does the Elemis balm cost?
I bought it from Elemis.com for £15 for 50ml. This price is £12 down from the usual £27 (yes I was ‘forced’ into purchasing by a tiktok video).
Is the balm cruelty-free and vegan?
Nope to both questions unfortunately, so I won’t be repurchasing.
Honest review?
I love it – really impressed. It took off my waterproof mascara and heavy foundation easily, left my skin feeling super smooth, smelling gorgeous, and the next day I didn’t notice a change in my skin’s oiliness or acne.
![Elemis Cleansing Balm for oily, acne prone skin](https://ahoybeauty.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/elemis-cleansing-balm-makeup-658x1024.jpg)
![Elemis Cleansing Balm for oily, acne prone skin](https://ahoybeauty.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/elemis-cleansing-balm-makeup-afterwards-548x1024.jpg)
UPDATE 26 March 2023 – had to stop using the balm!
I originally bought this and started using it in October. In December on my holidays, my skin turned for the worst:
![](https://ahoybeauty.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Lacura-pink-clay-mask_forehead-after-1024x1024.jpg)
![Elemis caused me acne](https://ahoybeauty.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/elemis-cleansing-balm-review-acne-650x1024.jpg)
My skin turned sore and very spotty. This was on holiday. I did a lot of research and found out that I probably had (undiagnosed but 99% sure I’ve got it) fungal acne.
Ingredients – so much oil!
I won’t include the ingredients list (as it’s really long and will make my blog huge) but I’ve copied them into a website I’ve been using since December, called folliculitisscout.com. You copy and paste the ingredients into the website, and a checker tells you if any are bad for fungal acne. Find the full ingredients list here: https://uk.elemis.com/pro-collagen-cleansing-balm-50g.html
Elemis balm has 13 triggers of fungal acne. This is not good news. The below screenshot shows 13 ingredients are a trigger for fungal acne, starting with Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis on the left (in red).
![https://folliculitisscout.com/ shows how many ingredients of the Elemis balm trigger fungal acne](https://ahoybeauty.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/elemis-follicultisscount-645x1024.png)
I’m still using it on my eyes to get mascara off, but not putting it anywhere near my skin and it’s improved SO MUCH.
![Skin after not using Elemis](https://ahoybeauty.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Lacura-pink-clay-day-after.jpg)
I’ve also started doing skin cycling which has helped my skin routine by simplifying the products I’m using, and restricting how often I’m using them.
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