Cleanse and Purify Your Skin with the Best Micellar Water
Our skin is exposed to many different pollutants and toxins throughout the day. We need to make sure we're not only cleansing our face but nourishing it as well.
One of the most important ways of ensuring that our skin remains clear and healthy is by choosing a face wash, like micellar water, that is both gentle and effective.
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What Is Micellar Water?
Board certified dermatologist Hadley King describes Micellar Water as soft water containing microscopic oil molecules called micelles. (Source) These micelles have a lipophilic center, which attracts oils and other impurities allowing them to be wiped off without water. Soft water is water that’s been treated to exclude calcium, magnesium and other metals.
When Micellar Water is used as a cleanser the molecules adhere to dirt, including unseen contaminants and makeup, removing them without drying out the skin. The oils left behind leave the skin feeling hydrated. Micellar Water doesn’t change the PH level of the skin and can be used on all skin types.
The Origins of Micellar Water
A product of France, Micellar Water has been around for over a hundred years when publicly available water in France could be very harsh on the skin.
A favorite among backstage artists who have to clean up between sets, Micellar Water is often marketed to travelers as it can be used where water is not readily available.
The product took a back seat with the arrival of many modern skin products, but made a comeback as makeup artists on set found that it could remove heavy makeup without making the skin look oily.

photo by eli defaria
Uses of Micellar Water
This product can be used on sensitive skin as it contains no alcohol and does not strip the skin the way that some foaming cleansers do. Dr. David E Bank, from the Centre of Dermatology in Westchester, says that there are no risks to using micellar water, but suggested that people with oily skin or those prone to acne might find that micellar water does not do a good enough job of cleansing their skin.
Micellar water on its own will not always cope with waterproof mascaras and heavy foundations, but the cosmetic houses have made some modifications and many of the products available are able to gently remove waterproof mascara and excess oils, making them suitable even for oily skins.
How to Use Micellar Water
The product should be liberally applied onto a cotton ball or pad and then wiped over the entire face with special attention paid to areas such as the eyes and lips, where makeup is usually heaviest. There is no need for water, as the product does not need to be rinsed off. Micellar water is a great substitute for face wipes and it costs less.

Failure to clean the skin both morning and night can result in blocked pores, which can leave the skin looking dull. There shouldn't be much to clean off in the morning, if the normal night routine has been carried out, but the oils and sweat which accumulate while we sleep should be cleansed before applying make up for the day. A gentle cleanse with Micellar Water should do the job.
- Use Micellar Water to remove makeup prior to foam cleansing at night.
- Use Micellar Water to partially remove makeup when touch ups are required.
- Because it requires no water, Micellar Water is ideal for cleaning skin after a workout.
Many dermatologists agree that Micellar Water is very gentle and will not strip the skin. It's suitable for all skin types particularly sensitive, dry, or acne prone skin. Micellar Water can replace any cleansing routine and can be used followed by a moisturizer in the morning and night cream in the evening.
If you use micellar water but are looking for a way to vary your cleansing routine, there other options such as cleansing milks, face washes with natural oils, and face washes specifically for sensitive skin or conditions like eczema.
Our Choices for the Best Micellar Water
There is one bottle of Sensibio H20 water sold globally every two seconds!
It is a gentle cleanser and makeup remover that can be used on even the most sensitive skin, yet is capable of removing waterproof makeup.
The product cleanses as it moisturizes. It has been specially formulated to cleanse the skin without causing any harsh reactions.
This cleanser is best suited to combination or oily skin.
This product is the recipient of the 2015 Refinery29.com Beauty Awards. It’s capable of cleaning makeup and impurities from the skin, and is safe for even the most sensitive skins.
This is a three-in-one cleansing solution, which includes a cleanser, a toner and a makeup remover, and it maintains the PH balance of the skin.
The product contains Poloxamer, which is a mild cleanser used in contact lens solutions. It also contains antioxidant thermal spring water, which soothes the skin.
This product has been tested under dermatological and ophthalmic control and is safe for both skin and eyes. La Roche products are recommended by 25,000 dermatologists around the globe.
This product is ultra gentle and, although suitable for sensitive skins, is tough on dirt. Able to remove makeup, this product soothes the skin as it gently cleans.
The product contains Pro-Vitamin B5 for hydration and Vichy Thermal Spa water to soothe the skin. It’s not sticky or oily and won’t leave the skin feeling dry and tight after use.
The product is paraben-free, soap free, alcohol free. It is PH balanced and has been tested for allergies. And it's suitable for those who wear contact lenses and has been tested under dermatological and ophthalmologic controls.
Gentle on even the most sensitive skin, this is the manufacturer’s most advanced formula. The product gently cleans the skin of dirt while unblocking pores. It’s capable of removing makeup as it re-hydrates the skin by up to ninety percent.
The water has been purified three times and the formula contains components, such as vitamins, that help clean and moisturize the skin.
The product contains no artificial dyes or perfumes and no chemicals that can irritate the skin.
Simple Micellar Cleansing Water was the winner of the Allure Best of Beauty Award and was the most-awarded skin care product in 2015.
This L’Oreal product is available in three different formulas each tailored to different skin types, allowing the user to choose the formulation, which perfectly suits the needs of their skin.
Removal of mascara is usually quite difficult. With this product you simply soak a cotton pad and hold it onto the eye for a few seconds and the mascara slides off. There’s no need to rub!
The formula for dry skin gently cleanses while soothing and hydrating, reducing dryness.
The formula for oily skin removes excess oil without stripping the skin, leaving it clean and reducing shine.
CONCLUSION
Micellar Water forms a very useful part of a consolidated skin care regime, making it easy to quickly and gently clean the skin without risk of allergy or irritation. Because L’Oreal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water has three different formulated products to deal with different skin types and due to it’s reasonable price, this product gets my vote as the best Micellar Water we've reviewed.