Micellar waters remove makeup and cleanse the skin in one simple step, making it ideal for minimalists or people who don’t have time for a multi-step skincare regimen. That said, you can use micellar water as the first step in a double-cleanse routine—simply pour some out on a cotton pad, wipe the pad across your eyelids and face, and follow up with your cleanser of choice. Learn more: How Does Micellar Water Work? The Science of Surfactants from Lab Muffin Beauty Science Skincare should be simple and straightforward, and Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Micellar Water is as easy as it gets. Formulated with vitamins B3, B5, and C, this water enriches the skin with gentle ingredients while cleansing away all traces of makeup and dirt. If you’re looking to incorporate micellar water into your routine, this budget-friendly product is a great place to start: It’s gentle, easily removes grime, and comes at a great price point. Not to mention, the product efficiently removes makeup, too, so you get a great two-for-one. The simple ingredients thoroughly clean the skin and absorb excess oil. “I am very impressed with the way the product works; It effectively removed all my makeup to the point where using this was better than washing my face,” our tester shares. She notes that it also made her face feel slightly tingly, but in a good, refreshed way.

To use, soak a cotton pad in micellar water, and wipe it over your face. Repeat with fresh cotton until it comes away clean (I usually need two). Shelf Life & Storage If you choose to alter the surfactant you’re on your own. I experimented with many surfactants and this one was the only one worth sharing, recommending, or using. Micellar cleansing agents to effectively remove impurities and make-up while ensuring good skin tolerance. *Formula containing no ingredients or derivatives of animal origin.When selecting a micellar water, it's important to cater to the needs of your skin type. No one wants any unexpected breakouts or to exasperate already dehydrated skin, after all. For instance, if you have sensitive skin choose a gentle cleansing water like the Vichy Purete Thermale Mineral Micellar Water or Neogen Calming Cicatree Micellar Cleansing Oil, as they are both formulated for sensitive skin. If you have oily skin, you want a micellar water that will remove impurities and sop up excess oil (try the Kumiko Matcha Micellar Water - Purifying Facial Cleanser and Makeup Remover). On the other hand, those with dry skin should opt for a formula that is super nourishing and moisturizing. In this case, try out Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water, which is rich in hydrating ingredients. You can use this product daily, either in the morning to refresh the skin or in the evening to remove makeup and impurities from the day. The ingredient I fussed with the most was the surfactant/solubilizer. I tried five different ones: cocamidopropyl betaine, polysorbate 80, Olivem300, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, and PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides. Some experiments got down to 0.18% of surfactant and I still didn’t like the after-feel (and also found the performance was starting to drop off).

Finding the right ingredients for your needs is super important for maintaining your skin’s moisture barrier and preventing any breakouts. According to Geeta Yadav, M.D., board certified dermatologist and founder of FACET dermatology, micellar water with fragrances, essential oils, or alcohol should be avoided, especially for those with sensitive skin. “These ingredients can make the formula sensitizing, which defeats its purpose as a gentle cleanser,” she says. “You can look for micellar waters that use purified or spring water, but otherwise, there isn’t anything critical to look for.” Purified and spring waters are rich in minerals that aid in your skin’s health. (Both Vichy Purete Thermale Mineral Micellar Water and Eau Thermale Avene Micellar Lotion Cleansing Water contain unique mineral waters.) If you want your micellar water to provide even more benefits than cleansing and makeup removal, look for ones that contain additional ingredients like antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, oils, and plant extracts, like the organic essential oils in the Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Micellar Cleanser. As of 2023, here’s the price breakdown for making unscented micellar water, shopping at Lotion Crafter.

Absolutely. The product is formulated with soothing ingredients like cornflower and mallow, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Being free from sulfates, harsh detergents, artificial fragrances, and other toxins ensures a gentle cleanse. Micelle particles attract impurities and excess sebum like a magnet, engulfing and lifting them away to reveal freshly cleansed skin. Enriched with hydrating rosehip oil and regenerating pastel rose extracts, skin is left feeling comfortable and conditioned, perfectly prepped for toner.

I played with several different humectants as well, and settled on 0.5% each sodium lactate and vegetable glycerin. I found there is some more room to play in this category as long as you are keeping the total amount around 1%, so if you have a fancier humectant you enjoy that you’re itching to include, you likely could—though you may need to experiment to find what’s just right for you. For those experiments I’d recommend making smaller batches and using distilled water instead of a hydrosol to reduce waste. I certainly filled a lot bottles with similar smaller batches! And your comment was not “deleted”—it was held for moderation, which is the default for new commenters. You would’ve received a notice stating as much when you submitted your comment. Reply I find versions made with sodium lactate are the least likely to exhibit settling, while I’ve had it happen with vegetable glycerin, propanediol 1,3, and sorbitol.Garnier Micellar Water is the only micellar water recognised by the British Skin Foundation and Allergy UK due to its soothing formula that is suitable for all sensitive skin types. I certainly credit my education to Susan on showing the proper way of formulating & Marie your blog certainly taught me also! It was the first one I believe that got me going & while I’m busy busy in my own work shop I stop in from time to time to see what my 2 favorite girls are up to..but not to STEAL anyone’s work …as I know you’d not do either …had to vent a tad on your behalf This supercharged micellar water effortlessly removes dirt and oil, cleansing skin at a micro-level to leave it thoroughly detoxed and renewed. Supercharged with hydrating and regenerating rose extracts, it boosts skins hydration levels by over 80%, leaving it perfectly clean, hydrated and refreshed without drying it out.

Used by me. I have used them all so I can give some personal insight, rather than just regurgitating marketing materials from the brands themselves (although all of the marketing is truly excellent, which is why I bought them in the first place!)

Pharmacy product

To use micellar water, simply apply a few drops of the solution onto a cotton pad and gently apply to your skin. If you’re using a micellar water to remove any makeup or sunscreen, follow with your preferred cleanser. Otherwise, no need to rinse. As Dr. Yadav says, micellar waters fully cleanse your skin without making it feel squeaky clean or tight. You also cannot use Crothix™ Liquid (INCI: PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Water) instead of PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides. Micellar water. Effective face cleanser. Infused with hydrating rose extracts. Fragrance-free. All skin types. Micellar waters are known for providing a gentler cleansing option. Look for micellar waters that are not irritating to the skin, with no harsh ingredients like soaps and alcohol. They should primarily consist of tiny oil molecules with extra components that provide additional skin-soothing and cleansing properties, like the chamomile in the Medik8 Eyes & Lips Micellar Cleanser.