After a while, we get tired of using a makeup remover wipe to rid ourselves of the full-coverage foundation that we’ve been sporting all day.
Let’s cut to the chase — they’re not that sustainable and, unlike a micellar water, they’re not necessarily the most hydrating for your skin to remove makeup (think: your favorite toners but with take-the-day-off properties).
That’s why we rounded up the 10 best micellar waters with the help of board-certified dermatologists who answered the questions that have been circulating in our heads about these bathroom counter essentials.
What’s more, turning to micellar water is just perfect for the minimalist — with its soap-free, no-rinse make, you can soak up dirt, oil and makeup with just one swipe.
To get the lowdown on everything from what micellar water is to how use it, we spoke with Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic, medical and surgical dermatology, Rachel Nazarian, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC, Marisa K. Garshick, MD, New York City-based dermatologist and Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, a Miami-based board certified dermatologist who gave us the scoop in our FAQ.
Click to jump to our FAQ with the experts:
Best Micellar Waters
1. Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water, $7 to $9
Simple’s Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water is less than $10 and readily available to order online.
“It’s fantastic for sensitive skin or people with many allergies,” Nazarian notes. “It’s formulated without colors, dyes or perfumes as well.”
2. Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Cleansing Water, $19
With nearly 42,000 rave reviews on Amazon, the Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Cleansing Water is a hit among shoppers and dermatologists alike.
“This is a very gentle formulation that’s paraben-free and hypoallergenic,” Nazarian says.
New York Post editor, Camryn LaSala is also a big fan of Bioderma. “It completely changed my skincare routine and wallet! Goodbye to the days of buying a 30 pack of Neutrogena makeup wipes every month,” LaSala said.
3. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water for Waterproof Makeup, $8
Ah, if it isn’t for Garnier’s outrageously popular SkinActivE Micellar Water to seal the deal.
Nazarian loves this product because it’s made without fragrance or sulfates and even takes off waterproof makeup — including waterproof mascara.
4. CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water, $15
With a name like CeraVe, you know it has to be good. Not only that, but the brand continues to be an best-seller.
“This is great for irritable skin since it is combined with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, so it’s extra hydrating and soothing,” Nazarian highlights.
5. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micellar Cleansing Water, $17 to $19
“This is a good product for all skin types, even those with oiler skin,” Mudgil notes. “The glycerin in this product helps to moisturize as well.”
Not only that, but it’s a great value and one of our personal favorites, too.
6. L’Oreal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water, $8 to $15
“This works well for removing heavy makeup, even waterproof preparations,” Mudgil highlights. You’ll also appreciate how it’s an effective cleanser that’s apt for normal to oily skin, especially.
7. BioEffect Micellar Cleansing Water, $75
According to Mudgil, this is as fancy as they get.
“This micellar water is made with Icelandic water filtered through volcanic lava, which makes it soft as can be (free of minerals), he notes. “If you have the disposable resources, this might be worth the splurge.”
8. Bioderm Sebium H2o Micellar Water, $13
Not all formulas are made equally and for those with oily skin, Garshick suggests incorporating Bioderm’s All-in-1 into their routine. The ingredients will gently cleanse and remove makeup without drying out your skin. Since it’s formulated with zinc gluconate and copper sulphate, Garshick explains “it also helps to purify and reduce sebum secretion.”
9. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1, $8 to $10
For anyone with combination skin, Garshick suggests using Garnier’s Cleansing Water as it’s “oil-free and won’t clog the pores, while also being alcohol-free so it won’t cause excess dryness or irritation.”
The formula also contains SPF with 99% vegan ingredients that ultimately won’t leave your skin oily or dried out just clean and smooth — a.k.a the perfect balance.
10. Clinique All About Clean All-in-One Cleansing Micellar Milk, $18, original price: $25
Ciraldo loves this particular formula by Clinique because it’s “especially hydrating compared to standard micellar water.” It’s also unscented and safe on those with sensitive skin and/or anyone who wears contact lenses, which is an added bonus if you’re prone to irritation.
FAQ with the experts:
What is micellar water?
We took a back-step to the basics to understand what exactly we’re putting onto our skin.
“Micellar water is essentially soft water (void of minerals like magnesium and calcium) that contains micelles (basically, balls of oil that draw in dirt and impurities),” Mudgil told The Post. Micellar water can be used as a gentle cleanser and makeup remover, too, as they’re “typically gentler and less drying than traditional make-up removers,” he adds. They’re also quite moisturizing.
“Micellar water is a great option for people because they’re easy to use and have so few additives; it’s essentially water and oil,” Nazarian told The Post. “These tiny little balls of oil (called micelles) attract dirt and grime while gently lifting makeup and dirt from skin, which minimizes risk of irritation that traditional harsh soaps and cleansers can cause.”
Boiled down, micelles are essentially “surfactants” (or “oil in water” molecules).
Is micellar water good for your skin?
When picking up any skincare product on the market — from niacinamide serums to eye creams — it’s important to check the ingredients and assess if it’s fitting for your skin type.
“Although most people can tolerate residual surfactants on skin (especially if they are the gentle kind), some surfactants are irritating, and some people may even have an allergy to them,” Nazarian explains. “They aren’t necessarily dangerous (so no risk to your overall health) but if you have an allergy to surfactants, you may find your skin becomes red, itchy or puffy with repeated use.”
“They can basically cleanse and moisturize at the same time, which is a dermatologic holy grail of sorts.”
Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, dual board-certified dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic, medical and surgical dermatology
For peace of mind, Nazarian’s recommendation is to always rinse the micellar water off —just to be safe. “Essentially all skin types can use micellar water without risk of drying out, even those with acne or oily skin can use micellar water to clean skin thoroughly without inflamed acne pimples,” she adds.
How to use micellar water, according to dermatologists
It seems easy, but rubbing micellar water into your skin too harshly can risk stripping the skin (the epidermis, in other words). So, Nazarian provides a quick process for you to follow to cleanse and remove makeup in no time.
“Using is easy: simply saturate a cotton ball with the micellar water, then swipe gently over your skin,” she begins. “Next, use another clean cotton pad to wipe over skin to absorb the micelles, now attached to dirt and oil. Again, it doesn’t require rinsing — but if you have the time and energy – rinse anyway!”
Benefits of micellar water
You probably caught on by now that micellar water is a quick and easy way to ensure there’s no makeup left on your face. Nevertheless, its benefits continue.
Micellar water offers several benefits, according to Nazarian. “The oil droplets in soft water are actually quite hydrating to dry skin and don’t disrupt the natural pH of skin like classic foaming cleansers,” she notes. “The fact it doesn’t require scrubbing makes it great for sensitive skin which tends to be easily irritated by harsher scrubs or rubbing typically needed to remove makeup.”
What’s more, it’s also great for people who travel a lot and don’t always have access to water; micellar water will clean most makeup, oil and dirt with just a swipe of a cotton ball. And, in terms of who’s a good candidate: “sensitive skin, dry skin, and people who travel a lot,” Nazarian notes.
For more content, check out the New York Post Shopping section.