An honest Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm review, written by five editors

There are plenty of beauty products out there that claim staple status – but few are quite as famously beloved as Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. A cult favourite cosigned by Victoria Beckham, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Cara Delevingne, this rich, nourishing cleanser doesn’t exactly come from humble beginnings. It has enjoyed the backing of the A-list since it first launched back in 2013. Most recently? It has enjoyed a new, cherry-scented upgrade.

For the uninitiated, the magic of Elemis’ original cleansing balm comes from Padina Pavonica: an antioxidant-rich algae found along the Mediterranean coastline. The new cherry edition – which follows in the footsteps of a lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus-scented original, as well as a rose iteration – still features this key ingredient. Along with the additions of warm almond and vanilla, plus the brand’s signature blend of plant oils including starflower and elderberry.

It's housed in a chic cherry-red jar – a welcome nod to the cherry-coded trend taking over our IG feeds – and it delivers the same rich, butter-like formula as the original. A blessed addition to our skincare routines when it comes to removing makeup.

But can one cleanser really suit all skin types? The GLAMOUR team put it to the test.

Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm at a glance:

Review 1: Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR's Senior European Commerce Editor

There are few cleansers I return to time and time again – despite having tested close to 50 over the space of the past five years. Sure, I’ve repurchased countless cleansing waters – and the odd cleansing gel for those speedy, in-shower face washes – but as far as cleansing balms go, there is no better on the market.

I must have tried it for the first time sometime circa 2020. It was the first cleansing balm I had ever tested – and the first product I’d tried by Elemis, too. Opening my eyes to how genuinely great the brand is, it not only noticeably improved my skin, but encouraged me to take time over my evening skincare practise in a way I never had before. Even today, it feels as luxurious of an experience as it did on day one - practically transporting me to the spa.

I use it each evening - taking time to massage the rich, nourishing formula into my skin. It’s fairly oily, which means I often incorporate a facial massage step here, too – I’ve been trying to get a little better at using my Gua Sha. When you add water, it turns into a milk-like consistency, making it easy to remove with a muslin cloth or some warm water. It smells divine – the original is still my favourite – and it never irritates my very sensitive eyes. It also removes every single trace of makeup with so much ease – waterproof mascara included. I can’t imagine a day when I don’t use it.

Rating: 9/10

Review 2: Lian Brooks, GLAMOUR's Senior Audience Development Manager

The original Elemis' Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm has been my go-to cleanser since I discovered that cleansing was even a thing, so I was intrigued to try its black cherry counterpart. Featuring the same buttery consistency that made me fall in love with OG, on application the balm melts away makeup effortlessly and without the need to work into the skin too much.

While other cleansers can have your skin crying out for moisture immediately after use, what I love about the Elemis Pro-Collagen Black Cherry Cleansing Balm is how soft and nourished it left my skin feeling. Oh, and did I mention the incredible sweet cherry scent? A little goes a long way, so I also appreciate that I'll be getting good use out of it before I need to worry about restocking. Overall this is a delightfully indulgent cleanser which I can quickly see becoming part of my regular rotation.

Rating: 9/10

Review 3: Mayola Fernandes, GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer

The words ‘deep cleanse’ are enough to grab my attention – especially as a self-proclaimed exfoliation maniac - so I couldn’t wait to put this black cherry cleanser to the test. Could it really outshine the brand’s original formula, a holy grail in my skincare routine for over three years?

The OG version is famed for its thick, creamy formula that somehow manages to deeply cleanse while keeping skin calm and soothed. If, like me, you love its silky, butter-like texture, you’ll be happy to know the black cherry version stays true to that. Infused with almond and vanilla, along with skin-nourishing ingredients like starflower oil, elderberry, and Optimega (the powerhouse behind the original), it comes with plentiful promises to dissolve long-wear makeup, provide 24-hour skin barrier support, and deliver instant hydration.

I swapped my go-to cleanser for this new balm and put it to the test during my nighttime routine. The first thing that hit me? The scent – sweet, candy-like, and utterly divine. If you're into sweet perfumes like I am, you'll love that it lingers just a little after rinsing. As I massaged the balm into my skin, it melted into a luxurious oil before transforming into a hydrating milk with just a splash of water. The best part? You won't need a separate eye makeup remover - it effortlessly wiped away my stubborn waterproof mascara while feeling far gentler on my eyes than cotton pads.

Rating: 9/10

**Review 4: **Robyn Eugene, GLAMOUR's Social Media Manager

This has quickly become a staple in my daily routine, whether morning or night. My first test was in the evening, and it effortlessly melted away my makeup, even my usually stubborn mascara (though it's best to avoid using it too close to the eyes). My skin felt incredibly smooth and refreshed, prepped perfectly for my night cream. The next morning, I used it again for a fresh start, and I noticed how seamlessly my makeup applied, leaving my skin with a gorgeous glow. The only thing to note is the cherry scent, it leans a little artificial, which might not be for everyone.

Rating: 8/10

Review 5: Samantha Reynolds, GLAMOUR's PA To Head Of Editorial Content

I loved every minute of using Elemis’ pro collagen black cherry cleansing balm to clean my face for the first time. The scent is nothing short of divine — exactly as described, a rich and delicious black cherry that lingers beautifully.

The texture melts on like a silky wax, which foams up well to remove every trace of makeup. And look let’s not forget the chic packaging. This balm has well and truly earned its place in my routine… honestly, I wish I could use it all over my body!

Rating: 9/10