Last Updated on March 29, 2026 by omgbart
Elemis does cleansers better than almost anyone. I have been using the Dynamic Resurfacing Wash since it was called Tri-Enzyme, and the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm has been a bathroom shelf staple for years. So when the Superfood AHA Cleansing Butter arrived, I paid attention. It sits in a different part of the Elemis universe, designed for a younger, more ingredient-curious crowd than the Pro-Collagen line. But the formulation instincts are the same. This one also comes with a Glow Priming Moisturizer, which I will get to below. The Cleansing Butter, though, is the star.
AHA Glow Cleansing Butter
The Superfood AHA Cleansing Butter arrives in a glass jar with a distinctly Hermès orange color that looks good on a shelf. The spreadable butter texture is infused with plant oils and Alpha Hydroxy Acids, which gives it three uses in one: instant makeup remover, deep cleanser when massaged in for a couple of minutes, or exfoliating mask when left on for 10 to 15 minutes. Worth noting: unlike a cleansing balm, this one does not liquify or turn frothy on contact with water. It simply melts away and rinses clean. Somehow that is still very satisfying.
What's in it
The formula is built on a creamy Mango Butter base with Chia Seed, Olive, and Sunflower Oils. It feels like a thick cream rather than a greasy or slippery balm. The AHA exfoliation comes from two sources: fermented Pumpkin and Cherry Acerola Extracts. Pumpkin brings a rich enzyme and AHA payload while Cherry Acerola is mildly acidic and high in skin-brightening Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and polyphenols. Rice Ferment Filtrate rounds out the formula with Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E for antioxidant protection. The Cleansing Butter is fragrance-free, which will disappoint anyone who loves the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm for its scent. For sensitive skin or fragrance avoiders, that is a genuine selling point.
How to use:
Like oils and balms, apply it to dry skin first. Massage it in, then rinse with water or remove with a hot cloth. I use it as step one of my double cleanse and it removes tinted sunscreen reliably well. If I leave it on for a few minutes and use a hot flannel to take it off, the added friction of physical exfoliation often means I can skip a second cleanser entirely. In that case my next step goes straight to a hydrating essence. For a cleanser at this price point, that kind of flexibility is hard to beat.
Glow Priming Moisturizer
This lightweight moisturizer comes in a squeeze bottle with a narrow tip and looks more like makeup than skincare. The lotion consistency has a visible gleam that is hard to miss. It hydrates while creating a strobing effect with notable iridescence. Beyond the glow, the formula includes Black Tea and Ginger Ferments for brightening, and Mica for the highlighting effect that delivers the instant luminosity. More functional than a standalone highlighter, but not a replacement for a proper moisturizer.
How to use
Start with a small amount and build up. Blend it in and out as you would a makeup product. Without proper blending, streaks of sheen will appear in random places and patches are never a good look. The formula dries quickly and is completely non-sticky. It works as a primer under makeup, a brightening moisturizer, or a highlighter on the high points of the face. The strobing effect is more pronounced in natural light than indoors. It has not made it into my daily rotation, but for anyone who wants an added layer of glow without committing to a full highlighting product, it delivers.
Price and where to get these
Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter $46 (90ml) at elemis.com, dermstore.com (try my code OMGBART for an extra discount), ulta.com, lookfantastic.com, boots.com
Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser $62 (60ml) at elemis.com, dermstore.com (try my code OMGBART for an extra discount), ulta.com, lookfantastic.com, boots.com
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