The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm has gone viral in recent months, but since it’s such a pricey product it can really make sense to look for an Elemis cleansing balm dupe.
Now, if there’s one type of beauty product I own more than any other it’s a cleansing balm. I just adore them over any other type of cleanser, because they feel luxurious to use and are so good at taking off makeup. And I really do love the Elemis Cleansing Balm.
However, I do prefer to find affordable alternatives to a really good cleanser like this, mainly because I don’t like to pay too much for something I just wash off my face within minutes. Additionally, Elemis is not a cruelty free brand.
Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm retails for $68 USD (or £48 / €60) for 100g / 3.5oz of product.
There are both larger and smaller sizes, and if you really want to try it out then the 20g / 0.7oz jar costs $17 USD (or £13 / €60).
The Elemis balm is well worth the money if you truly love this product and get a lot out of the spa-like experience of using it.
However, you can get some amazing cleansing balms at cheaper prices which work in the same way, have similar ingredients and also feel really good to use.
Below I’ve compiled a list of every good Elemis Cleansing Balm dupe so you can find a cheaper alternative to use instead.
Essential information about the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm has become one of the most popular skincare products on the market. But why is this exactly?
Let’s take a quick look at this product we’re trying to dupe to see what it is we’re looking for in an alternative:
Here are some of the key benefits that make the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm such a popular and effective facial cleanser:
- Texture: the balm transforms from a solid balm into both a silky oil and a cleansing milk to provide a sensorial and luxurious cleansing experience
- Scent: Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is fragranced with essential oils like eucalyptus, chamomile and lavender that instantly transports you to the spa
- Efficacy: the balm texture melts away makeup, sunscreen, pollution, and daily grime without stripping the skin or compromising the skin barrier
Key ingredients:
- Elderberry oil: rich in antioxidants, helps protect skin from environmental damage, and provides anti-inflammatory benefits
- Starflower oil: hydrates skin and reinforces the moisture barrier
- Rose flower wax: softens and conditions skin while allowing thorough cleansing
- Sweet almond oil: a natural emollient, which means it helps to soften and moisturize the skin. It is also a good source of fatty acids, which are essential for skin health
- Lavender oil: a calming and soothing essential oil that can help to reduce stress and irritation
- Eucalyptus oil: a refreshing and invigorating essential oil that can help to boost circulation and wake up the senses
- Glycerin: a humectant that helps to attract water to the skin, keeping it hydrated
- Lecithin: an emollient that helps to smooth and protect the skin. It also helps to emulsify the cleansing balm, making it easier to rinse off
- Shea butter: rich in vitamins A and E, this ingredient deeply moisturizes, softens, and smoothes skin
- Oat kernel oil: this nutrient-rich oil contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that nourish and protect the skin. It is also high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that helps soften, smooth, and hydrate the skin
- Borage seed oil: this oil contains high amounts of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that helps hydrate and smooth dry, damaged skin
- Tocopherol: gives Vitamin E antioxidant benefits
- Padina Pavonica: this brown algae extract contains amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that hydrate the skin and provide anti-aging effects. It helps improve skin elasticity and tone
Together the ingredients of the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm are nourishing plant oils and butters with antioxidants, gentle exfoliants, anti-aging extracts, and ingredients that lock in hydration.
This means the balm effectively cleanses the skin while improving skin’s texture, firmness, and overall appearance with continued use. There’s lots to compete with, so let’s move on to some brilliant dupes.
Shop this post:
Elf Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
Price: $11 for 56.5g / 2oz
Elf make many a best beauty dupe and this cleansing balm is a really good budget alternative to the Elemis cleanser.
Its ingredients differ in some ways, but it does have some really standout additions on the ingredient list that are so good for your skin:
- Sunflower seed oil: lightweight and non-greasy, sunflower oil is rich in linoleic acid to hydrate and protect skin
- Palmitoyl tripeptide-1: this peptide helps stimulate collagen production to improve skin firmness and elasticity
- Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7: this tetrapeptide increases skin’s hydration and ability to retain moisture for a plumping effect
- Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 II, Ceramide 1: these three ceramides help strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture to maintain supple, healthy skin
- Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate: a form of hyaluronic acid that deeply hydrates the skin by attracting and binding moisture
Together, these ingredients work synergistically to cleanse skin while providing anti-aging, hydrating and strengthening effects. The multi-tasking formula nourishes and repairs skin during the cleansing process.
It’s just a really good, affordable cleansing balm with some great ingredients, a pleasant scent and the ability to remove stubborn makeup easily.
JUNO & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm
Price: $14.95 for 85g / 3oz
This is a truly exception cleansing balm that will fit well into anyone’s skincare routine.
The reason it’s such a good Elemis Cleansing Balm dupe is that it has the same buttery texture, removes all your makeup, and has a spa-like citrus scent that makes using it a complete joy. Its ingredients (there are only 10!) include:
- Ethylhexyl palmitate: an emollient ingredient that helps to condition and soften skin
- Caprylic/Capric triglyceride: lightweight moisturizing fatty acids that help reinforce the skin barrier
- Fermented Japanese pearl barley: this yeast extract is hydrating, soothing, and rich in vitamins
- Orange peel oil: this provides the balm’s uplifting citrus aroma while toning and purifying skin at the same time
- Vitamin E: a potent antioxidant that helps repair skin damage from free radicals
You just need to read reviews of this balm that consistently compare it to Elemis’ Cleansing Balm to know this is a good contender for the perfect dupe, and it’s only a fraction of the price.
Boots No 7 Cleansing Balm
Price: £12.95 for 125ml / 4.2oz
This balm cleanser has an army of fans who won’t be going back to using the Elemis balm after they’ve tried this.
It removes every trace of make-up and is extremely nourishing, with ingredients that make it perfect for dry skin:
- Ethylhexyl palmitate: an emollient ester that helps condition and soften skin
- Coconut oil: moisturizes and smooths skin with its fatty acids and vitamins
- Cocoa seed butter: with antioxidants and healthy fats, cocoa butter is very moisturizing and nourishing for skin
- Panthenol: the provitamin B5 hydrates, softens, and soothes skin
- Grape seed oil: a lightweight yet nourishing oil, high in linoleic acid
- Tocopheryl acetate: a form of vitamin E that acts as an antioxidant
- Retinyl palmitate : converts to retinol to reduce wrinkles and smooth skin
It gives very similar results to the classic Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm but there is a huge price difference between the two.
Shop this post:
Farmacy Green Clean Make Up Meltaway Cleansing Balm
Price: $36 for 100ml / 3.4oz
I adore this cleansing balm from Farmacy, from its fresh green color to the fruity yet luxe scent.
It’s very gentle yet effective at removing all makeup, even waterproof mascara, without making your eyes sting. In terms of ingredients, Farmacy’s balm contains:
- Papaya fruit extract: provides gentle enzymatic exfoliation to help remove dead skin cells and reveal brighter, smoother skin
- Moringa oleifera seed oil: with its high concentration of oleic acid and vitamins, this nourishing plant oil moisturizes by penetrating deeply to soften and hydrate the skin.
- Ginger root oil: this anti-inflammatory and antibacterial essential oil helps to calm and soothe irritated skin
- Sunflower seed oil: abundant in linoleic acid, this plant oil is light and easily absorbed while providing hydration to improve suppleness
- Bergamot fruit oil: with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this essential citrus oil helps protect skin and prevent breakouts
- Glycerin: this humectant draws in moisture from the air and locks it into the skin to maximize hydration
- Melia azadirachta flower extract: derived from the neem tree, this extract has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents to help treat and prevent acne
- Corallina officinalis extract: this antioxidant algae extract helps protect against environmental stressors while calming inflammation
- Orange peel oil: containing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory limonene, this essential oil helps boost radiance and even tone
- Cananga odorata flower oil: with its soothing, relaxing aroma this ylang ylang flower oil helps provide a calming sensorial experience
- Coccinia indica fruit extract: as a natural antioxidant, this ayurvedic extract neutralizes free radicals to minimize skin damage
- Eggplant fruit extract: the antioxidant chlorogenic acid in eggplant extract helps protect against sun damage and hyperpigmentation
- Turmeric root extract: known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant prowess, turmeric helps brighten, even skin tone, and neutralize free radicals
- Ocimum sanctum leaf extract: this holy basil leaf extract acts as an antibacterial agent while also soothing skin
While it’s true that neither the scent nor the look of this balm are the same as Elemis, it’s a great alternative because it contains some incredibly skin-friendly ingredients, it rinses clean away without leaving a greasy residue, smells amazing in its own right, and is a lot cheaper than the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. Farmacy is a cruelty free brand too.
PURE Ultimate Cleanse Rose Cleansing Balm
Price: £12 for 100g / 3.5oz
This amazing cleansing balm has gone viral itself lately after savvy shoppers noticed the similarities between this and the Elemis balm.
Known as the M&S cleansing balm because it can be bought in Marks & Spencer in the UK, it’s one of the best Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm dupes.
If you love the Rose-scented version of the Cleansing Balm from Elemis then you will love this too as it also has a relaxing rose fragrance.
It shares the following ingredients with the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm:
- Sweet almond oil
- Shea butter
- Caprylic/Capric triglyceride
- Tocopherol
- Glycerin
Other ingredients include:
- Castor oil: clarifying for the skin
- Camelina sativa seed oil: rich in omega-3s, this oil is hydrating and soothing
- Blackcurrant seed oil: nourishing fatty acids reinforce the moisture barrier
If you can get hold of this it’s one of the best alternatives to the real deal.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Price: $38 for 125ml / 3.8oz
It’s not often you see Clinique products described as more affordable alternatives of luxury beauty products, since Clinique is a pretty expensive brand itself, but Take The Day Off really needs to be included as an Elemis Cleansing Balm dupe.
The reason for this is that this award-winning cleansing balm from Clinique will completely remove all your makeup in the same no-nonsense way as Elemis’ balm does.
It will dissolve and take off all your makeup quickly, without making your skin feel dry or tight afterwards.
Ingredients-wise, it’s less of a pampering experience than Elemis but it does have some nice ones:
- Ethylhexyl palmitate
- Safflower seed oil
- Caprylic/Capric triglyceride
- Tocopherol
This velvety soft balm is a great option if you’re sensitive to fragrance and essential oils. It doesn’t have a strong fragrance so it works exactly the same as Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm without the strong spa-like scent.
Banila Co Clean It Zero 3-in-1 Cleansing Balm
Price: $19 for 100ml / 3.5oz
This ultra popular cleansing balm comes in six different varieties to suit different skin types, and the original version is this one in the pink pot.
It has a silky smooth oily texture when it melts into the skin, like the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, and a little goes a really long way towards removing even the most hard-to-budge eye makeup.
The ingredients feature some unusual plant extracts with skin benefits:
- Ethylhexyl palmitate
- Onsen-Sui (mineral-rich hot spring water provides hydration)
- Lithospermum erythrorhizon root extract (has antioxidant benefits)
- Tocopheryl acetate
- Bamboo leaf/stem extract (soothing antioxidant extract)
- Rooibos extract (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory)
- Angelica archangelica root extract (elps balance skin’s oil production)
- Acerola fruit extract (rich antioxidant vitamin C extract)
Lots of people who were either a massive Elemis or Clinique cleansing balm fan have switched over to this cheaper version as the first essential step in their daily routine.
Shop this post:
Superdrug B. Melting Cleansing Balm
Price: £16.99 for 120g / 4.2oz
This is the latest beauty dupe to come out of UK beauty store Superdrug, and it’s had a moment for being an Elemis Cleansing Balm dupe.
The key ingredients are:
- Ethylhexyl palmitate
- Caprylic/Capric triglyceride
- Sunflower seed oil
- Shea butter
- Olive oil
- Caprylyl glycol (a humectant which helps retain moisture in the skin)
- Tocopheryl acetate
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba seed oil (easily absorbed and mimics the skin’s natural oils)
These are some really nice ingredients. However, while I am a huge fan of pretty much all of Superdrug’s products, as they’re always affordable, effective and cruelty free, not everyone is going to love the Superdrug version of the Elemis balm.
This is mainly due to the scent, which some people describe as very chemical in nature. Compare that to the essential oils wafting from a tub of Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm and you’ll see that they’re not remotely similar in this respect.
However, this is a great cleansing balm and if you’re not concerned about the fragrance and just want affordable beauty products that do their job well, this is a good option.
Aldi Lacura Cleansing Balm
Price: £7 for 90g / 3.2oz
You can almost always guarantee there will be an Aldi dupe for a high-end viral product at some point. Aldi’s own-brand products, under their Lacura line, are always really good dupes and beauty fans (including myself) love them.
It has an impressive list of ingredients, including:
- Isononyl isononanoate (an emollient ester that helps soften and condition skin)
- Sweet almond oil
- Sunflower seed wax
- C10-18 triglycerides (a blend of fatty acid triglycerides that smooth and moisturize skin)
- Vegetable oil
- Mango seed butter
- Tocopherol
- Shea butter
- Cocoa butter
- Moringa oleifera seed oil (moringa oil is an anti-inflammatory oil rich in antioxidants, and the star ingredient in the high-end brand Emma Hardie cleanser)
- Ascorbyl palmitate (a stable, fat-soluble form of vitamin C that brightens skin)
- Beta-sitosterol (natural plant sterol that helps reinforce the skin barrier)
- Lecithin and Squalene (natural emollients that hydrate and smooth skin)
Aldi’s dupe for the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm went viral when it appeared in the store a couple of years ago, and they have re-released it a few times plus a Rose version too.
Since then it’s been a little hard to find but you can still pick it up on eBay if you want to try it to compare to the real thing.
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm may be considered the ultimate cleansing experience. It’s inspired viral TikTok videos, and endorsements from several popular beauty influencers, including Molly-Mae Hague and Lisa Aiken, who have raved about the cleansing balm on their social media channels. However, you can get a good Elemis Cleansing Balm dupe to save some cash.
DON’T MISS THIS:
Dr Dennis Gross Peel Pads dupe
Frequently asked questions
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is regarded as one of the best and most effective cleansing balms on the market. With its rich, luxe balm-to-oil texture, skin-nourishing and anti-aging botanical ingredients, and ability to gently yet effectively melt away impurities without stripping moisture, it provides an indulgent, spa-like cleansing experience that leaves skin soft, soothed, and glowing with continued use.
With its nourishing oils, gentle exfoliants, and anti-aging extracts, the Elemis Cleansing Balm provides effective yet non-stripping cleansing that leaves skin smooth, soft, and healthy-looking; when used over time, the balm’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich ingredients improve elasticity, firmness, and overall skin quality, making it an ideal choice for those looking to treat and beautify as they cleanse.
Yes, Elemis is considered a high end brand. Known for advanced formulas that combine potent botanicals, marine extracts, and science-backed actives, Elemis is regarded as a prestige skincare brand used in leading spas worldwide; with an emphasis on experiential luxury as well as quality ingredients, Elemis products deliver visible results and a sensory escape with indulgent textures and aromatic botanical blends that justify their premium pricing.
This post contains affiliate links. A full disclosure is available from the main menu.
- How To Make Your Room Cozy & Aesthetic: 6 Easy Tricks - September 20, 2023
- 140+ Advent Calendar Filler Ideas For Adults & Kids - September 20, 2023
- 10 Affordable MAC Spice Lip Liner Dupes in 2023 - September 14, 2023