Last Updated on March 29, 2026 by omgbart
If you missed it last time, don’t make that mistake twice. Elemis’ fig-scented take on its iconic balm is back—and just as sensorially addictive.
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Green Fig Cleansing Balm started as a limited edition and has since become a permanent part of the Pro-Collagen cleansing balm lineup. If you know the original formula, you already know what it delivers: thorough cleansing, nourished skin, and a sensory experience that makes the whole ritual feel considered. The Green Fig edition adds a scent that balances sharp green notes with sweet, juicy undertones. It is the kind of fragrance that makes a functional product feel like something more. A welcome permanent addition to one of the most reliable cleansing balms in skincare.
The Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm: A Global Skincare Icon
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm has achieved cult status for good reason. It deeply cleanses while leaving skin soft, nourished, and hydrated. The original formula is beloved for its herbal aroma, built from nine plant oils including lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus.
Elemis has since expanded the lineup with the Rose Cleansing Balm, the fragrance-free Naked formula, and now the Green Fig as a permanent addition. Each one shares the same foundational formula. The scent is the variable. The performance is not.
The Green Fig Fragrance: A Sophisticated Sensory Experience
Fig is a challenging fragrance note to perfect, but when done right, it is unforgettable. I still think about Jo Malone's Wild Fig and Cassis, a scent so distinctive I would regularly splurge on the matching candle. These days I alternate between DS and Durga's Debaser for its fruity finesse and Caudalie's Moisturizing Fig Body Oil Elixir, which balances fresh and earthy notes in a way few body oils manage.
The beauty of fig lies in its green, sharp nuances derived from the leaves and bark, rather than just the pulpy sweetness of the fruit. Elemis complements the star ingredient with raspberry and bergamot. The Pro-Collagen Green Fig Cleansing Balm strikes a balance of sweet, tart, and earthy accords that makes it genuinely hard to put down.
What’s Inside the Balm?
The formula is built on a base of Sweet Almond, Sunflower, Borage Seed, and Elderberry Oils, which handle the deep cleansing and hydration. Optimega Oil, a proprietary blend of wheat germ and oat oils, supports the moisture barrier. Beeswax and Shea Butter give the balm its rich, scoopable texture.
One practical note: both can liquify in high heat, so pack carefully during summer travel. Rounding out the formula is Padina Pavonica, a brown microalgae with moisture-boosting and radiance-enhancing properties that elevates this beyond a standard cleansing balm.
How To Use A Cleansing Balm
Start with dry skin and dry hands. Scoop a small amount, warm it between your fingertips, and massage it onto your face. Focus on areas prone to product buildup and work it up to the hairline. After one to two minutes of massage, add water. The balm transforms first into an oil, then into a milky cleanser that rinses away cleanly. It is one of the more satisfying texture transitions in skincare.
This multi-phase formula melts away makeup, sunscreen, and grime without stripping. For an extra-deep clean, follow with a water-based foaming cleanser in what is commonly known as double cleansing. The science on whether it is strictly necessary is inconclusive, but if both products are gentle, there is no downside and the results tend to speak for themselves.
How I Use It
Before stepping into the shower, I apply the balm to dry skin while the water heats up. Once inside, I add water to emulsify the formula, rinse it off, and follow with whichever foaming cleanser I have in rotation.
For sinkside cleansing, I remove the balm with a Clean Skin Club Towel, the XL Supreme version specifically. Often my skin feels clean enough to skip a second cleanse entirely. When I do double cleanse, I reach for the Filorga Enzyme Cleansing Foam, a light non-drippy formula that handles the follow-up step without any fuss.
Final Thoughts
The Pro-Collagen Green Fig Cleansing Balm is the rare product that justifies its price through daily use rather than novelty. The texture is luxurious, the ingredients are genuinely nourishing, and the scent is sophisticated enough to make cleansing feel like the best part of the routine. If you are a fig fragrance person, this one is a no-brainer. If you are not, it might make you one.
Available in two sizes: $69 (100g) or $40 (50g) at dermstore.com (try my code OMGBART for an additional discount), elemis.com, lookfantastic.com, boots.com, spacenk.com
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