Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm for oily acne-prone skin
Padina Pavonica
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Sambucus Nigra Seed Oil
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 oily skin as Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride effectively dissolve makeup and impurities, providing general cleansing and hydration.
- While supportive for your skin, these oils are not specifically targeted for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, and the formula lacks sufficient seboregulating ingredients for optimal oil control.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing chamomile oil.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away impurities. Start by using it 3×/week before working up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. Follow it with your usual cleansing steps to ensure all residue is thoroughly washed away.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using soft cotton pads. Avoid harsh rubbing to prevent irritating your blemishes and active breakouts.
- Apply the makeup remover on completely dry skin to effectively break down excess oil and makeup. Clean away thoroughly before moving on to the next skincare steps .
- Do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well. Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes .
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 oily acne-prone skin?
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is an average fit for oily acne-prone skin, as it dissolves makeup effectively but lacks targeted oil-control ingredients. A makeup remover for this skin type needs lightweight, non-greasy cleansers and oil-balancing ingredients that clear impurities without clogging pores or adding excess weight.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil and caprylic capric triglyceride help dissolve makeup and impurities while providing hydration. A product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and oil-controlling ingredients that manage excess oil and breakouts without clogging pores for oily acne-prone skin.
What does Padina Pavonica do for oily acne-prone skin?
Padina pavonica helps calm angry, inflamed breakouts and supports healing for oily, acne-prone skin. It is unlikely to clog pores and may help balance skin stress from the sun, but this skin type also needs oil-controlling ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to stay clear.
Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2025Bioorganic Chemistry, 2026
What does Sweet Almond Oil do for oily acne-prone skin?
Sweet almond oil is generally too heavy and rich in oleic acid for oily, acne-prone skin, as oils with high oleic acid content may disrupt the skin barrier and worsen breakouts. Oily and acne-prone skin types need lightweight ingredients with a higher linoleic acid to oleic acid ratio, such as sunflower seed oil, which helps preserve skin integrity without causing irritation.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser to dissolve makeup and impurities. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also includes oil-controlling ingredients to help manage breakouts.
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 treatment, as it is unlikely to cause irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing chamomile oil. For oily acne-prone skin, this product type needs oil-controlling and breakout-targeting ingredients for an optimal fit.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine and weekly routine to dissolve makeup and impurities without irritation. Because it lacks sufficient oil-control ingredients, oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also includes ingredients to balance oil and target breakouts.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser may rarely cause breakouts for oily acne-prone skin, as it lacks sufficient oil-controlling ingredients to manage blemishes effectively. To fit this skin better, a cleanser of this type needs targeted acne-fighting and oil-regulating ingredients to keep pores clear.
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 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 oily acne-prone skin better
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate significantly improved acne in patients compared to the control side during an 8-week clinical trial.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2013
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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