Review: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

As I get older, my focus on skincare has intensified. I do my best to take care of my skin as best I can, choosing carefully which products to apply and repurchasing key products which make a marked difference.

The balm feels luxe and has a pleasant smell of elderberry and starflower, combined with rose and mimosa which is soothing. It's also mineral oil, paraben and SLS free, all good stuff.

I'm prone to the very occasional hormonal breakout around my chin/jawline and was wary that the shea butter this contains may aggrevate my skin but luckily it hasn't and I've been using this now for almost three months. Texture wise, it's a soft thick butter-like balm. I apply it directly to my skin, massaging it all over and it melts down quickly allowing me to distribute it evenly.

Using the flannel which comes with it, I then repeatedly soak it in hot water, wring it out and then press it into my face - then wipe the remains of the balm away. I then give my face a final rinse with cool water. It's not the best at removing eye make up, so don't rely on this to remove mascara thoroughly. I take my mascara off with remover separately.

I think this is particularly great for dry and mature skins and I've been using it on/off in the evenings - I never use balm cleansers in the morning. I think they interfere with my make up application. Oh and you can also apply it as a mask - leaving it on for 10 mins whilst practising deep breathng techniques to inhale the aroma. I don't bother with that though - too fussy for me. I like this, it's soothing, is a nice pampering treatment and leaves my skin feeling skin and soft afterwards.

It's not cheap, but as an indulgent treat which you may use 2-3 times a week, I think it's worth sticking on your birthday/Christmas list if you don't want to fork out for it yourself.

How much is it? £39.50 Where can I buy it from? Timetospa, Debenhams, QVC (they offer a 30 day money back gurantee, so you can try it at your leisure!) John Lewis and other department stores.


*Sample provided for review consideration.