What Does Micellar Water Do For Your Skin? [With 6 Of Our Favorite Picks]

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Our Favorite Micellar Water Products 

Everyone that takes their skincare routine seriously is already using a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen every single day. Well guess what? You might be missing one of the most important products of all:

Micellar water.

We’ve all heard about how this “magic” product was once a French beauty secret reserved for models and celebrities. We also know that micellar cleansing water has legions of loyal fans on social media and IRL.

But does it actually work?

It certainly wouldn’t be the first product to get a lot of hype and then let us down ($60 quartz face roller, we’re talking about you!)

Not sure if micellar water should be a part of your beauty routine?

Here’s everything you need to know about micellar water, including what it is, how it works, what it’s good for, and if it’s worth adding to your daily routine.

What is Micellar Water?

Micellar water is purified, soft water that contains glycerin and mild surfactants (which are essentially soaps). Those oil and surfactant molecules combine to create micelles, which work like powerful little magnets to remove dirt, oil and debris from the skin.

In a bottle, micellar water looks just like water. But to the touch, it has a slightly thicker feel, thanks to those suspended oil molecules and micelles.

The Benefits of Micellar Water

So what exactly does micellar water do?

There are a variety of benefits to using this product, but for most beauty fanatics, it’s become their go-to way to remove makeup.

Because micellar water works like a magnet to attract and pull dirt, debris and oil away from the skin, it’s a super effective way to remove makeup. It gets deep into the skin to pull out all sorts of impurities left behind by products and the pollutants in the environment. It’s also safe and gentle enough to use anywhere, so we love it for removing eye makeup and stubborn lip liners.

Micellar water also helps to hydrate the skin, and that’s because it’s made with soft water.

For most people, the tap water that comes out of your bathroom faucet is hard water. And when you wash your face with it, it can dry out the skin. Micellar water, on the other hand, is soft, purified water, so it has the opposite effect.

Makeup removal and hydration aside, micellar water has one other impressive benefit:

It helps to unclog pores.

Those tiny micelle magnets latch onto the gunk that gets stuck in our pores. And clear, unclogged pores means less breakouts. For people with acne-prone skin or oily skin, micellar water can work wonders.

Since the micelles draw oil out, using it in the morning before you even apply your makeup can reduce shine and minimize future breakouts. If you rely on an alcohol-based toner or astringent to do that for you, micellar water is a gentler option. 

How to Work Micellar Water into Your Skincare Routine

Micellar water is not a replacement for your facial cleanser – you still need a face wash to clean your skin and remove your face makeup before going to bed at night. And while it is hydrating on the skin, it’s also not a replacement for your moisturizer. 

Facial cleanser and moisturizer are the backbone of every good skin cleansing routine, so don’t make the mistake of thinking that micellar water will replace either.

The best way to enjoy the benefits of micellar water is to use it as an additional step in your skincare routine. And while it’s usually used as a makeup remover, it also has the ability to remove excess oil, making it a good addition to your routine even on days where you don’t apply a stitch of makeup.

There are differing opinions on whether or not to use facial cleanser first and micellar water second or micellar water first and facial cleanser second. You may want to try both options and see what feels best for you. Some people say the micellar water leaves a bit of a residue on the skin, so they prefer to follow up with their facial cleanser as a secondary step.

To apply micellar water, simply add it to a cotton pad or cotton ball and swipe it all over your face. It’s gentle enough to use on eyelids and lips, so we love it as a way to remove waterproof makeup, such as waterproof mascara, without the harsh rubbing you sometimes have to do with eye makeup remover pads.

Who Should Use Micellar Water?

Sensitive skin, oily skin, dry skin, combination skin … micellar water is safe for use on all skin types. If you’re oily, it removes oil. If you’re dry, it helps to hydrate. If you’re prone to breakouts and acne, it helps to unclog pores.

It’s the type of product that almost everyone can benefit from.

Like all beauty and skincare products, it may take some trial and error to find the version that works best for you. Here are a few of our favorite micellar waters, including the one that started it all.

Related:Plasma Pens [Are They Really Worth It?] 

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Cleansing Solution 

If it’s authenticity that you love, Laboratoire Bioderma gets the credit for being the first skincare brand to create and sell micellar water around the world. And because they were the first, they get the top spot on our list of our favorite micellar waters.

The Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Cleansing Solution is fragrance-free, doesn’t require rinsing off, and is ultra-soothing. It’s perfect for use on all skin types, including sensitive skin, and it’s ideal for makeup removing, cleansing, and toning the skin.

Bioderma’s micellar water gets rave reviews, in part because it’s the original and in part because it works. Use it in the morning and at night for a double dose of power that will rid your face of oil and dirt and leave your skin feeling oh-so-fresh and clean.

La Roche Posay Micellar Water Ultra

Looking for an easy way to remove eye makeup and other stubborn cosmetics? Check out the La Roche Posay Micellar Water Ultra. This product contains micelles powerful enough to remove long-wear foundations and lipsticks, but it’s super gentle at the same time.

This micellar water solution is safe for use on all skin types, as it’s paraben-free, alcohol-free and soap-free. (Instead of soap, it contains a cleansing agent called poloxamer, which is so gentle it’s often used in contact lens solution).

Biore Charcoal Cleansing Micellar Water

Activated charcoal is proven to clean the skin, remove dirt and grime, and unclog pores. And since micellar water has the same capability, the Biore Charcoal Cleansing Micellar Water is a great way to remove all sorts of makeup and impurities from the skin.

Tired of scrubbing off your waterproof mascara and eyeliner with makeup wipes after a night out? Soak a cotton pad or cotton ball in this charcoal micellar water, hold it on your eyelids for a few seconds, and gently wipe it away. It feels way better than rubbing at your eyelids, especially when they’re already tired after a long night out.

Spending more time indoors these days than out and about? Biore’s charcoal micellar water is a great way to kick off your morning routine, as it can clear away and remove any oil that clogged your pores overnight while you slept.

Burt’s Bees Micellar Cleansing Towelettes

We all want to save the bees. But if we’re going to be completely honest here, Burt’s Bees has never been our go-to, must-have skincare brand. Don’t get us wrong, their lip balms and hand creams are good – they’re just not a brand that we use on a daily basis.

Until now.

Thank you, Burt’s Bees, for the 3 in 1 Micellar Water Facial Towelettes with Rose Water. 

If you love a lovely rose scent and a soothing feeling on your skin, these are great. If you’re looking for a super easy way to cleanse your skin and remove your makeup without a sink, soap, cotton ball, or water nearby, these are excellent. If you’re traveling overnight, these are a must.

These micellar water towelettes have become one of our favorites. They’re easy to carry, effortless to use, and made to cleanse the skin in a way that most makeup wipes can’t. The fact that they smell like roses is an added bonus!

Clinique All About Clean All-in-One Micellar Milk + Makeup Remover

Clinique is known for making easy-to-use, effective, and gentle products for all skin types, and the All-in-One Micellar Milk + Makeup Remover is no exception. With different options and consistencies for different skin types, this isn’t your typical micellar water – it actually looks, feels, and goes onto the skin like an ultra-gentle lotion.

 For people with super dry skin, Clinique’s micellar milk is a great alternative to the more liquid micellar water. This one has a smooth and creamy feel on the face, plus it includes vitamin E for extra nourishment.

Garnier Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water

Micellar water does not have to be expensive to be effective!

The Garnier Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water costs just over three dollars for a travel size 3.4 ounce bottle. That’s the perfect size for anyone who needs a makeup remover or cleanser for traveling or wants to sample the product for just a few bucks.

Garnier’s micellar water is ideal for use as a cleanser in the morning and a makeup remover at night. It’s an excellent option for sensitive skin, and this travel-sized bottle is the perfect choice for anyone who isn’t convinced that micellar water actually works the way it claims to.

Does Micellar Water Work?

Micellar water is an effective product for makeup removal and a benefit for anyone who’s looking to improve the way their skin feels and looks. It’s gentle, it’s safe for use on all skin types, and it offers an added boost of cleansing power that other makeup-removing products don’t provide.

If you’re looking to take your skincare routine to the next level, add micellar water to the mix. After two or three uses, you just might start to wonder how you ever lived without it.  

You might also be interested in:Why You Need Facial Toner In Your Skincare Routine [And Our 13 Favorite Toners]

Best Micellar Waters: 

1. Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Cleansing Solution  
2. La Roche Posay Micellar Water Ultra
3. Biore Charcoal Cleansing Micellar Water
4. Burt’s Bees Micellar Cleansing Towelettes
5. Clinique All About Clean All-in-One Micellar Milk + Makeup Remover
6. Garnier Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water