Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm for sensitive skin
Padina Pavonica
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Sambucus Nigra Seed Oil
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Average
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate suitability for your normal skin, as Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride provide some smoothing benefits, but may not be sufficient for optimal hydration.
- While it effectively removes makeup with these emollients, the formula lacks specialized ingredients to target your redness and irritation concerns.
- The safety profile is good for your normal skin with sensitivity, due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing agents like chamomile oil and oat kernel oil.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3x/week before building up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. Follow with your usual moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid any harsh rubbing to protect your sensitive skin.
- Apply the makeup remover on dry skin to ensure better tolerance for sensitive areas. This helps reduce any potential irritation or redness.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the direct eye area to ensure safe application.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 26.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleansing balm is highly praised for its rich texture that effectively removes makeup and sunscreen, leaving dry and mature skin feeling hydrated and plump. While many enjoy the luxurious spa-like scent, a moderate number of users find the fragrance too strong or experience eye irritation. Some users also report breakouts, and a high frequency of reviews mention the high price point.
Highlights
Effortless makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “melts waterproof mascara”
- “removes heavy foundation”
- “breaks down sunscreen”
Hydrating & softening Often Mentioned
- “skin feels baby soft”
- “no tight feeling”
- “plumps dry patches”
Luxurious spa scent Often Mentioned
- “smells like a spa”
- “heaven in a jar”
- “relaxing nightly ritual”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “very expensive”
- “pricey for a cleanser”
- “wish it was cheaper”
Silky texture Sometimes Noted
- “buttery consistency”
- “melts into oil”
- “smooth application”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “blurry vision”
- “cloudy film on eyes”
- “stings my eyes”
Overpowering fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “smell is too strong”
- “lingers on pillow”
- “gave me a headache”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “clogged my pores”
- “broke me out”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, dermstore.com, boots.com, elemis.com, johnlewis.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm work for sensitive skin?
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm works moderately well for sensitive skin, as it effectively removes makeup and has a good safety profile with soothing ingredients like chamomile and oat oils, but it lacks specialized ingredients to calm redness and irritation. Sensitive skin needs makeup removers that contain deep hydration, strong soothing properties, and nourishing ingredients to protect the skin without causing irritation or imbalance.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil and caprylic capric triglyceride help smooth the skin, while chamomile oil and oat kernel oil provide a gentle, safe touch that is unlikely to irritate. To be a top fit for sensitive skin, a makeup remover of this type needs deep hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and targeted soothing agents that actively calm redness.
What does Padina Pavonica do for sensitive skin?
Padina Pavonica helps calm sensitive skin by reducing redness and inflammation, while protecting against daily stress. It is unlikely to cause irritation and supports a smooth, comfortable feel.
Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2025Bioorganic Chemistry, 2026
What does Sweet Almond Oil do for sensitive skin?
Sweet almond oil helps keep sensitive skin soft and calm by strengthening the outer skin barrier. It is unlikely to cause irritation and is well tolerated when used to improve hydration.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, or as a weekly step before your cleanser. A cleanser for sensitive skin of this type needs extra soothing and calming ingredients to help target redness and irritation while washing away makeup.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser, but a cleanser of this type for sensitive skin needs extra barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and soothing agents to calm redness while you use retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening as the first step of your nighttime routine. A product of this type for sensitive skin needs gentle oils and plant butters to remove makeup smoothly, along with soothing agents like chamomile and oat oils to keep skin calm.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin, as reviewers rarely mention breakouts and the formula avoids harsh ingredients. However, to truly care for sensitive skin, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients to calm redness and irritation without heavy fragrances.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (linalool, geraniol, citronellol, limonene, and parfum). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Cutaneous application of linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid triglycerides reduced the high rate of transepidermal water loss in essential fatty acid-deficient rats, whereas other fatty acid triglycerides had no effect.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1976
Why other pre-cleansers fit sensitive skin better
Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Ingredients
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Peg-8 Beeswax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Sambucus Nigra Seed Oil, Peg-60 Almond Glycerides, Silica, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Cera Wax Peel Cera Wax, Glycerin, Lecithin, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Acacia Decurrens Wax Flower, Coconut Oil, Rosa Multiflora Flower Cera Wax Rose Flower Cera Wax, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil Flower Geranium Oil Flower, Geraniol, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil Leaf, Tocopherol, Anthemis Nobilis Oil Flower Chamomile Oil Flower, Citronellol, Camphor Wood Oil Ho Wood Oil, Limonene, Mentha Arvensis Oil Leaf Mint Oil Leaf, Jojoba Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Parfum, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Menthol, Clove Oil Leaf, Citric Acid
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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