I've been using the Elemis Pro-collagen Cleansing Balm for 12 years - trust me it's that good and there's over £16 off today only
I am borderline obsessed


I remember the moment it happened. It was early days in my beauty career and I was walking with a fellow beauty journalist through the streets of London and she was insistent that I start using a cleansing balm. The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm to be specific. This was peak double cleansing era - when brands, derms and facialists were all waxing lyrical about the benefits of washing your face thoroughly. No hardworking skincare routine would be seen dead without the two-step cleansing practice. I was hesitant, despite being a dry-skinned gal I wasn't keen on using anything oil-based. But then the Elemis balm landed on my desk - not a new product, but a new product for me. It's arguably one of the best cleansing balms on the planet and is so often recommended as the first step in a double cleanse. I decided to give it a try. And the rest, as they say, is history.
As I use it everyday I have to stock up all the time, which is why when Black Friday comes along, I always use the time wisely and take advantage of the discount. I don't agree with buying things just because they are on sale - I have made some terrible purchasing mistakes in the past - so now I only buy things that I love know that I'm going to use.
Elemis cleansing balm deals at a glance:
- 30% off at Elemis using the code CYBERTREAT
- £9.60 off at Lookfantastic
- £16.05 off at Amazon
- 25% off at Space NK
- 20% off at John Lewis
- £12 off at Cult Beauty
I have flirted with other cleansing balms in the past - Sunday Riley's Blue Moon Tranquillity Cleansing Balm (was £46, now £34.50 at Space NK) and The Body Shop's Camomile Sumptuous Makeup Cleansing Butter (£12 at The Body Shop) are both marvellous - but I always come back to Elemis.
But why? Why has this little tub of gold become such a cult product? Is it worth the hype and the £48 price tag?
In my opinion yes. Not only did it open up my eyes to the benefit of cleansing balms, but it also made me appreciate Elemis for the genuinely brilliant brand that it is.
And as it's currently on offer you can experience the wonder of this product for less.
Best Elemis Cleansing Balm Cyber Monday deal:
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
How do you use Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm?
You use it in the evenings, at the end of the day, when you're ready to take the day off your face. I like to pop a headband over my hairline to keep my hair from getting oily, then I scoop up a little bit of the balm and work it into my dry, make-up-covered face. Make-up melts away before my eyes - even tough to remove waterproof formulas. I don't like to rush this bit, I take my time and because of the high oil content it has a good amount of slip allowing for some facial massage too. Next up I add a little water, which turns the balm into a milk. Then I remove it all with a warm damp muslin, which has a slight texture to it that gives me a spot of exfoliation too.
Oh word of warning: try not to lick it. It might smell nice, but it's not the best tasting beauty product on the market...
How often should you use it?
I use it every single night. I don't use it in the morning as it's not necessary to double cleanse in the morning. What I'd say is, don't over do it. Take a small amount and work it into your face, if you feel like you have some stubborn areas that need more attention then you can use a little more. But a little goes a long way.
Why is it so good?
The first thing you'll notice, every single time, is how delicious it smells. It's pure spa vibes - lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus. It's instantly calming.
The other wonderful thing about it is how good it is at its job. It removes make-up so easily and breaks down the day's dirt and grime on the skin. It's a super-rich formula too, so my skin never feels stripped.
The tub looks smart on the bathroom shelf and it really does last for ages.
The icing on the cake with this cleanser though is how it leaves skin looking and feeling. After every use, skin is left feeling super soft and 100% more glowy. Which is all any of us wants right?
Which skin types does it suit?
People with skin like me - dry and often dehydrated - will absolutely love it. But contrary to popular belief, if you have oily skin you too will see the benefits. I can't tell you how many times I have recommended this to friends who are on the oilier side and they've point blank refused to use it because of how rich it is. But I'm here to tell you now that it won't clog your pores and cause congestion. As long as you follow it up with a good second cleanser afterwards and a toner, you'll be fine.
If you have sensitive skin, or a skin condition like rosacea, and prefer to use fragrance-free products you'll be pleased to know that there's a Naked version. In fact there are a couple of iterations of the now bestselling cleanser...
Ideal if you want to keep things simple and fragrance-free. It started as a limited edition, but was so popular it's now a permanent member of the team.
If you're partial to a floral rose scent, then you'll love this.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Katie Thomas is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. With over 10 years of experience on women's luxury lifestyle titles, she covers everything from the best beauty looks from the red carpet and stand out trends from the catwalk, to colonic irrigation and to the best mascaras on the market. She started her career on fashion desks across the industry - from The Telegraph to Brides - but found her calling in the Tatler beauty department. From there she moved to Instyle, before joining the Marie Claire digital team in 2018. She’s made it her own personal mission to find the best concealer in the world to cover her tenacious dark circles. She’s obsessed with skincare that makes her skin bouncy and glowy, low-maintenance hair that doesn’t require brushing and a cracking good manicure. Oh and she wears more jewellery than the Queen.
-
The biggest dating trends for 2024 might just get you back on the apps
Feeling jaded by modern dating? Take a look at this
By Lauren Hughes
-
The jeans all the cool girls are wearing have just dropped at NET-A-PORTER
This is the denim brand you need to know about
By Natalie Hughes
-
Hairstylists are calling 'caramelised hair' one of 2024's most universally wearable colour trends—here's the best inspiration
Sign us up
By Lucy Abbersteen
-
This dermatologist-approved vitamin C serum is the only skincare product I'm willing to splurge on—and there's 33% off for Cyber Monday
It's on my 'forever re-buy' list
By Rebecca Fearn
-
As a beauty editor, I usually think Cyber Monday is a bit of a con—but these perfume deals just make sense
With up to 60% off, even I can't say no
By Shannon Lawlor
-
You can get every single Dyson Corrale colourway in the Cyber Monday sales - some at £200 off
Yes, really!
By Dionne Brighton
-
These are the best Black Friday spa deals across the UK
Indulge in some R&R
By Lauren Hughes
-
I'm doing a happy dance, because all of my go-to beauty products are discounted in Cyber Monday and I am going to save £146 today on Elemis, CeraVe and Kérastase
The smarter way to shop
By Katie Thomas
-
I’ve scoured the whole site, and these Lookfantastic Cyber Monday deals still on sale are well worth your attention
I've been through the whole of Lookfantastic since Thursday, and cherry-picked the best of the bunch
By Dionne Brighton
-
This is not a drill, you can save £80 on the Dyson Airwrap for Cyber Monday
Go, go, go!
By Grace Lindsay
-
80% off is the best Huda Beauty Cyber Monday deal I could find and I've been searching all morning
Serious discounts
By Katie Thomas