Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm alternative is just as good and costs £22 less

If you're a lover of makeup like me, and cannot help but romanticise the boring corporate sludge with a fun makeup look and 'siren-core' outfit - that's HR appropriate - then you'll know how important a quality daily cleanser can be.

Especially with the rise of pollution, the dirt of public transport and harsh water, our skin seems to be fighting its hardest to remain a blemish and spot-free zone. So when the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm caused a viral wave through the beauty community, I had to see what the fuss was about.

New to London, and religiously budget-friendly, my means of trying the £49 cleanser was to nab some in the bathroom I share with my sister. Totally illegal by our terms but I was tired of my skin breaking out.

Promising to be the "ultimate cleansing experience," the award-winning product advertises itself as "three indulgent textures in one". Beginning as a solid similar to hard coconut oil, the balm then melts upon contact with your skin, working through the grime and makeup of the day.

Satisfyingly, the cleanser morphs into a creamy facewash once water is added, resulting in a thorough cleanse that saves you several cotton pads and a quarter of your micellar water. Perfect for long-wear looks, I believed this miracle balm was my one-and-only saviour - but my bank account disagreed.

Never the one to experiment with new products - which my Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation can testify too - the only option was to lie in secret wait for my sister to source a new cleanser to try. The results of her consumerism paid off when she bought home a new cleansing balm that was just as good and £22 cheaper.

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Clinique is a well-known brand often seen in our mothers' cupboards, where we assume its products aren't for us. However, Clinique's loyal fanbase has begun to include Gen Z, who entered via the Black Honey lip balm gateway.

Named the second-best cleansing balm, Clinique's Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm scored 94/100 by Good Housekeeping, the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm has been praised for it's identical results to the Elemis' viral hit, and it's surprisingly affordable.

The balm is currently £26.95 thanks to a 21% off sale at LookFantastic. Usually £34, you can now bag the cleanser for £7 less. Alternatively, you can save £11 on the product by shopping at Allbeauty, who sells the cleanser for £22.95.

Compared to the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, which costs £49 for 100g, the Clinique alternative is almost half the price for the same amount at £26.95, so you're saving £22.

Having tried both, Clinique is just as gentle and able to break down layers of makeup with one wash. With an oily base, the cleanser is great at washing off stubborn mascara, activating with water into a slight cream-cleanser, and does not strip your skin of any moisture.

Emily from Cardiff wrote on Clinique's website: "This balm is the best cleansing balm! I have highly sensitive skin and suffer from dermatitis at times and this product this never causes any flare ups or disturbances.

"Despite other reviews saying its smells greasy it most certainly doesn't, it's just fragrance free which should always be seen as a bonus. It's more on the expensive side however will say lasts about 4/5 months if used every single day. 10/10".

I personally prefer Clinique as a little goes a long way – having found more of the Elemis product was needed per wash.