Effective cleansing is undeniably an essential part of a skincare routine. Whether you're somebody who wears makeup daily or you just want to ensure that your skin is clean of any grime or pollutants amassed throughout the day, it's worth trying micellar water as a simple, low-maintenance way to cleanse.
However, you may be feeling a little lost when choosing the right formula, especially if you have a specific skin type such as oily, dry, sensitive or acne prone – or a combination of the above. Featuring both luxury and drugstore brands like Simple, Bioderma and Garnier, we've taken our top picks from Amazon, Boots, John Lewis, and more to help you find the perfect micellar water.
Quick List - Top Micellar Waters
Garnier
An Affordable Drugstore Micellar Water That’s Gentle on Skin
Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
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Felipe Partarrieu is a final year dermatology resident, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
Micellar water can be a great cleanser for those with acne or breakouts as it gently draws out impurities from the skin to unclog pores. We recommend boosting the benefits of your micellar water by opting for a product that controls oil or mattifies the skin, as often blemishes are caused by excessive oil production. However, look out for possible irritants such as lanolin, paraffins, mineral oils, and silicone derivatives.
Micellar water is a cleanser containing suspended surfactant (detergent) molecules that, by nature, attract dirt and oil. However, the ingredients used in micellar waters leave a surface residue on the skin, which can act as a film, blocking pores and disrupting oil production, leading to breakouts.
Therefore, micellar waters are not ideal for oily and blemish-prone skin. Instead, try cleansing gels or oils formulated for this skin type, which will reach deeper into the pores.
It can be tricky for sensitive skin-types to find a cleanser that is gentle enough to prevent any irritation. We recommend, of course, looking for micellar waters that are advertised as being specifically designed for sensitive skin, as they will have the gentlest ingredients.
In addition to this, go for micellar waters with minimal ingredients. Added ingredients are often the culprits for causing allergies and irritation. Even naturally-derived added fragrance can be irritating for some, so check out the label to make sure you understand what's in your micellar water.
Micellar waters are made up of water mixed with very gentle surfactants. Therefore, these are considered especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea. They are free from ingredients that can irritate the skin, such as soaps and alcohol.
Moreover, glycerin, one compound found in many formulations, has also been shown to reduce inflammation and irritation of the skin.
Many micellar waters are formulated with moisture-boosting, hydrating ingredients to benefit drier and mature skin types. Ingredients to look out for are rose, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. Antioxidant-rich waters with plumping peptides are great for drier, mature skin.
Hydration is important to get rid of toxins and supply the skin cells with nutrients. Well-hydrated skin is also less sensitive. Adequate hydration makes the skin fuller, plumper, and improves its elasticity. Especially for mature skin, elasticity keeps it looking young and less likely to crack, preventing premature appearance of wrinkles and blemishes.
Speaking of hydration, explore our favourite moisturisers for combination skin!
Plus, micellar waters don't usually contain simple alcohols, which most dry-skinned folk prefer to avoid as it can be very drying and harsh on the skin, causing irritation. Alcohol can harm the skin's natural protective barrier and drastically deplete the natural oils it requires to stay healthy.
Many micellar waters contain glycerin, one of the moisturising substances naturally found in the skin. Topically applied glycerin has been shown to restore skin hydration, help speed wound healing and protect against irritation.
Also, the surfactants in micellar water are very mild and less irritating (such as cetrimonium bromide and polysorbate 20), making it an excellent choice for those with dry skin.
Micellar water is most commonly available in liquid form, but there are new formulas on the market that are equally as simple and effective. You can now find micellar water make up wipes, or cotton pads pre-infused with micellar water. These are great for convenience, particularly for on-the-go usage, or if you just want an easy way to cleanse your skin in the evening.
However, do be careful with micellar make up wipes as they can encourage you to be a bit too rough with your skin when cleansing. Too much tugging or rubbing can lead to premature signs of ageing! With the right amount of care, you may find micellar wipes or cotton pads to be an ideal low-maintenance choice.
Most micellar waters came in liquid forms to be applied on the face with disposable cotton pads. Wipes and cotton pads that already include micellar water are convenient because they are quick to use and handy, but they are not meant not to be used daily.
Most wipes and pads contain alcohols that could lead to dry skin. Also, the mechanical rubbing needed for them to work might irritate.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Garnier Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water | ![]() | An Affordable Drugstore Micellar Water That’s Gentle on Skin | |
2 | Bioderma Sensibio H2O | ![]() | A Tried and Tested Fragrance-Free Formula for Sensitive Skin | |
3 | Balance Me Flash Cleanse Micellar Water | ![]() | Hyaluronic Acid and Peptides to Plump and Rehydrate Skin | |
4 | Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water | ![]() | Cleanse and Hydrate Dry or Sensitive Skin | |
5 | Nuxe Very Rose 3-in-1 Hydrating Micellar Water | ![]() | Cleanse and Restore Dry Skin With Rose Floral Water | |
6 | Nivea MicellAir Professional Makeup Remover | ![]() | A Micellar Makeup Remover That Leaves Nothing Behind | |
7 | La Roche Posay 3-in-1 Sensitive Micellar Water | ![]() | 3-in-1 Action Micellar Water for Sensitive Skin | |
8 | Garnier Micellar Face Wipes Sensitive Skin | ![]() | Cleanse Skin on the Go With Super-soft Micellar Water Wipes | |
9 | Avène Micellar Lotion | ![]() | 3-in-1 No Rinse Cleanser, Toner and Make-up remover | |
10 | Simple Micellar Make-Up Remover Eye Pads | ![]() | Micellar-Soaked Pads to Gently Remove Stubborn Eye Makeup |
Our top pick for micellar waters to buy online in the UK is the Garnier Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water. It is formulated with no oils, sulfates, fragrances, parabens or alcohols, and even suits sensitive skin, so you can use it day and night no matter your skin type.
Moreover, it comes in a huge 700 ml bottle at a very reasonable price, so you don't have to worry about it being a huge expense in your skincare budget! We recommend the Skinactive as a staple in part of your cleansing routine.
Bioderma H2O started the micellar water craze when it became an indisposable part of many French women's cleansing routines. Micellar water became particularly popular in France because Paris has notoriously hard water which can prove irritating to the skin.
In stepped Bioderma's Sensibio, to gently remove pollutants and keep the skin feeling fresh. This micellar water is suitable for all skin types, but has also been specifically formulated to be kind to sensitive skin, and does not contain any fragrance, minimising the risk of reaction!
Balance Me's Flash Cleanse micellar water has a longer ingredients list than some others on our list! It includes natural peptides and hyaluronic acid to help plump the skin and increase hydration, and also includes blackberry leaf extract which is naturally rich in antioxidants to help boost collagen production.
It's 100% natural too, and certified vegan and cruelty-free, plus, we particularly love the packaging. It has a pump which you can cover with your cotton pad to pump the ideal amount of water completely mess-free!
This micellar water is part of Simple's new 'Water Boost' skincare line, which targets the reversal of signs of dehydration. It contains glycerin, minerals, and a plant extract (citric acid), which all plays a part in hydrating, softening, and moisturising your skin.
As you'd expect from the brand, it contains no harsh chemicals, and is especially formulated to be suitable for those with dry, dehydrated, or sensitive skin. If you are looking for your cleanser to also help with moisture levels in your skin, this may be the micellar water for you!
A luxurious micellar water made with no less than 97% natural ingredients, this is a great choice for those looking for a cleanser with a little something extra. Rose floral water soothes and softens, while a complex made from moisturising sugars hydrates and strenghthens the skin's protective barrier.
It is particularly designed for dry to very dry skin, so if you are somebody who needs some extra assistance in restoring the moisture levels of your skin and want to add a micellar water to your cleansing routine, why not try this one from Nuxe?
If you wear makeup daily but don't like using harsh products to remove them, this micellar makeup remover will be your new go-to. It is a powerful micellar water that deeply cleanses, removing any impurities without being too astringent, and leaves zero residue behind.
It's also fragrance-free and infused with micellar gel to protect your lashes and delicate eye area from any pulling or rubbing, and is so effective that it's touted as a makeup artist favourite. This handy bottle is perfect to take with you on the go!
This micellar water by La Roche Posay has undergone extensive dermatological testing to ensure that it is suitable for all types of sensitive skin. The Physiological Micellar Solution enriched with thermal spring water delicately cleanses, removes makeup from the face and eyes, and eliminates impurities.
There are no preservatives, parabens, colorants, or lanolin in this simple yet effective formulation. It is also completely hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. The product's hermetic packing ensures that it remains clean and contaminant-free.
Specifically formulated for sensitive skin with no alcohol or fragrance, drugstore-favourite Garnier's micellar wipes are made of thin silk fibres in a soft, thick wipe. They are soaked with micellar water, so they are easy to grab and use, and promise a glow-boosting effect.
Moreover, they are meant to be soothing for irritated skin, so you will be able to use them and feel refreshed. We would advise, however, that at only 25 wipes per pack, you may not be getting the same usage for money as with a micellar water from a bottle.
This micellar water from Avène is a cleanser, toner, and makeup remover all in one! It contains Avène's trademark thermal water, sourced directly from the Occitane region of France, which is gentle and purifying to the skin.
Meanwhile, micelles gently lifts up pollutants and make-up without causing dryness. On the downside, we would note that it does contain fragrance, so you may want to be careful if you have sensitivities to additional ingredients.
Designed to efficiently remove stubborn eye makeup such as waterproof mascara, you can also be sure that Simple, who cater to sensitive skin, have formulated a kind micellar water that's hydrating for dry skin, too.
They're also in a useful format to take on the go or for festivals or overnight trips. However, for most people it is probably not a necessary step to have a separate micellar water for your eyes and the rest of your face!
Simple, purified H2O is typically the main ingredient of micellar water. This tends to be soft or softened water (water low in ions of calcium and magnesium), which helps it to maintain moisture on the skin, thus adding radiance and a youthful bounce. In addition to water, many micellar waters contain glycerin, which is a moisturiser that keeps the skin feeling soft.
The 'micelles' of micellar water are cleansing molecules. They are mild surfactants, which means that they break down and attract dirt and oil. Surfactants are also found in many different cleansing products such as shampoos and soaps. However, micelles are particularly gentle on the skin, and due to their ability to draw out impurities, they make a great facial cleanser when combined with water.
Written and researched by Hannah Kato
No. 1: Garnier|Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water
No. 2: Bioderma|Sensibio H2O
No. 3: Balance Me|Flash Cleanse Micellar Water
No. 4: Simple|Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water
No. 5: Nuxe|Very Rose 3-in-1 Hydrating Micellar Water
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