Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm for skin with dark spots
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 skin with dark spots; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dark spots: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. 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 Butyrospermum Parkii Butter provide emollient action, though a wider range of ingredients would optimize results.
- The formula effectively removes makeup and impurities due to Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, but lacks specialized ingredients to directly target your pigmentation concerns.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover as part of your PM routine every evening to melt away makeup and impurities.
- Apply this makeup remover as the first step of your evening routine before using your regular cleanser.
- Gently massage the makeup remover onto your face using circular motions, then rinse thoroughly with water.
- For the best results , apply the makeup remover directly to dry skin to help break down makeup effortlessly.
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin feels comfortable.
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 skin with dark spots?
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is an average fit for skin with dark spots because it effectively removes makeup and impurities but lacks specialized ingredients to directly fade spots. A product of this type needs soothing ingredients that target pigmentation concerns while keeping skin calm and balanced.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser works for skin with dark spots because ingredients like sweet almond oil and shea butter soften the skin and help remove makeup gently, though it lacks targeted brightening ingredients. To best care for skin with dark spots, a product of this type needs specialized brightening actives alongside nourishing oils to fade dark spots while keeping the skin smooth and balanced.
What does Padina Pavonica do for skin with dark spots?
Padina pavonica helps calm irritated skin and may shield it from sun damage that leads to dark spots. This brown algae supports antioxidant defenses, making it a useful addition to routines focused on an even, clear tone.
What does Sweet Almond Oil do for skin with dark spots?
Sweet Almond Oil is unlikely to fade dark spots, as it mainly helps strengthen the skin barrier and keep skin soft and smooth. Skin with dark spots needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to help even out skin tone.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2010
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, and as the first step of your weekly routine for skin with dark spots. Because this product lacks specialized ingredients to directly target your pigmentation concerns, skincare for this skin needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide and exfoliating acids to fade dark spots.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser and retinol treatment. It is unlikely to cause irritation on normal skin, but skin with dark spots needs brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to help fade discoloration.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Use this makeup remover in the evening to clear away makeup and impurities as part of your routine for skin with dark spots. Because this product lacks specialized ingredients to directly target your pigmentation concerns, this skin type needs a cleanser with brightening ingredients and targeted serums to help fade dark spots.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts for skin with dark spots, as reviewers rarely report them and the formula has a safe profile. However, skin with dark spots works best with a product that also includes brightening ingredients to fade dark spots and even out skin tone.
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
A 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
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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