Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm for acne-prone skin
Padina Pavonica
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Sambucus Nigra Seed Oil
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Average
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 combination skin as Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride effectively remove makeup and impurities, while Glycerin provides hydration, but it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on your oily areas.
- While it provides general skincare benefits like cleansing and hydration, the formula does not contain targeted ingredients in effective concentrations to address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like chamomile oil and shea butter.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away dirt and oil. Start 3x/week and work up to daily use if your combination skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before cleansing and using the rest of your skin products. This ensures all makeup and impurities are fully washed away.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing the skin too harshly to prevent irritation.
- Apply the makeup remover on dry skin to easily dissolve makeup and clear out blemishes. There is no need to dampen your face beforehand.
- Do a patch test before first use to ensure your skin reacts well. Avoid the delicate eye area while applying.
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 acne-prone skin?
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm works moderately well for acne-prone skin, as it effectively removes makeup and impurities while providing hydration, but it lacks targeted ingredients to actively address breakouts. Makeup removers for acne-prone skin need nourishing oils and soothing extracts that calm blemishes without causing irritation, along with ingredients that support oil control and hydration.
Life, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser works for acne-prone skin because Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride gently wash away makeup and impurities while Glycerin provides hydration, and shea butter helps soothe the skin. However, to truly fit acne-prone skin well, a product of this type needs targeted ingredients that help control oil and address breakouts.
What does Padina Pavonica do for acne-prone skin?
Padina pavonica helps hydrate acne-prone skin without feeling heavy or greasy. It supports skin firmness and moisture levels, which is useful when using strong blemish treatments that can leave skin dry.
What does Sweet Almond Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Sweet almond oil helps strengthen the outer skin barrier and improves skin recovery, making it useful for managing various skin conditions. However, for acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs non-clogging, lightweight ingredients and antibacterial agents to help calm breakouts and keep pores clear.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This makeup remover goes as the first step in your evening routine, and once a week before your cleanser. An acne-prone skin routine works best with a product of this type that also brings oil-controlling ingredients and blemish-clearing actives.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser, followed by your retinol treatment and moisturizer. This product is safe and unlikely to cause irritation for your acne-prone skin, though a product for this skin needs targeted ingredients to help control oil and breakouts.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening whenever you wear makeup or need to clear away impurities, as part of your normal routine. It cleanses gently without harsh ingredients, but because it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts, acne-prone skin needs a routine that includes dedicated oil-control and blemish-fighting treatments.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause harsh irritation on acne-prone skin, but it may cause breakouts because it lacks targeted ingredients to control oil and breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs lightweight cleansers with salicylic acid or gentle exfoliants that clear pores and balance oil without heavy oils and butters.
Is it 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 single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017A 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 acne-prone skin better
Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023
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
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