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Washing your face may seem like the simplest, most no-brainer part of your skincare routine. Grab your usual cleanser, suds up, rinse, pat dry. But what if we told you that there was a whole product category out there that could totally change how you cleanse? We’re talking about micellar water. It’s made of up of, well, water, along with micelles — tiny surfactant (a.k.a. cleansing) spheres that act like magnets and bind to makeup, dirt, oil, and debris on the skin, explains Dr. Fatima Fahs, a board-certified dermatologist in Michigan and founder of Dermy Doc Box.
For any content that you submit, you grant Space NK a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, transferable right and license to use, copy, modify, delete in its entirety, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from and/or sell and/or distribute such content and/or incorporate such content into any form, medium or technology throughout the world without compensation to you. Melanie Rud is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and expert living in Chicago. Prior to moving to Chicago, Melanie held beauty editorial positions at Shape, Good Housekeeping, and Health. Today, she is a contributing writer for PEOPLE where she covers all things skincare, interviewing top dermatologists to get to the bottom of the latest trends and products, as well as Byrdie, Real Simple, Brides, and more. Melanie holds a BA in Journalism and English from New York University. For this piece, she evaluated PEOPLE Tested insights and interviewed Dr. Kseniya Kobets, director of cosmetic dermatology at NYC's Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, Dr. Fatima Fahs, a Michigan-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dermy Doc Box, and Chicago-based esthetician Jenny Fix for their skincare expertise. This refreshing cleanser is formulated with ultra-mild micelles that work to dissolve and lift away makeup and daily build-up without sensitizing or irritating the skin. Gentle enough for everyday use, even on the delicate eye area, this non-stripping micellar water contains fatty acids that help to restore the skin’s moisture barrier, while nourishing plant oil extracts from baobab, mongogo, wild melon seed, ximenia seed, passion fruit and sweet almond hydrate and soothe for a calm, clean complexion. Key Benefits
Micellar water FAQs
I'm a big fan of micellar waters to make sure my face is truly clean when I've worn budge-proof makeup, and most of the time, they look as their name would suggest . . . like water. For something that's main purpose is to remove dirt and other impurities without any additional liquid from the faucet, that texture makes sense. I sweep one on with a cotton pad and can see my success the minute I pull the pad away. 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.) How it's held up: After three months, we still use this micellar water to help further cleanse the skin on days we wear makeup. Although it doesn't completely remove everything (we have to double cleanse with a face wash), it does its job, especially considering the low cost. We love how lightweight it feels on the skin — some micellar waters can leave behind a heavy, oily residue, but that's not true with this one. While it does contain ingredients that are meant to hydrate and even skin tone, we felt like our skin was still rather dry after using, so it's important to apply moisturizer after the using this micellar water, especially if you already have dry skin. Even though they’ve only been around for a few years, there’s no shortage of micellar waters on the market. So to determine the best of the best, we put over 30 through the ringer. We used them to both cleanse the skin and remove makeup (more on that point in a moment), assessing how effective they were and how they left their skin looking and feeling. 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.
How it's held up: Our team still agrees that this micellar water is a beneficial part of our routine, especially for anyone with sensitive skin; it continues to be effective at removing makeup without stripping the skin and isn't at all irritating. Our one qualm? We wish the dispensing part better distributed the product. The micellar water squirts out super fast, allowing us to lose a good amount of product in the process. You really need to hold the dispenser tight around the cotton pad for best results. use of the content you supply does not violate these Terms of Use and will not cause injury to any person or entity. 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.
After three months of testing, we still love the quality of this product and the milky consistency that's gentle and hydrating on the skin. The only thing we'd change? The price tag. Although this is a great product, we don't know if we would buy it again on our own terms, considering there are other great micellar waters available for half the cost. If you're a fan of Drunk Elephant, though, and don't mind spending the extra money, it won't leave you disappointed. You agree to indemnify and hold Space NK (and its officers, directors, agents, subsidiaries, joint ventures, employees and third-party service providers, including but not limited to Bazaarvoice, Inc.), harmless from all claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of a breach of your representations and warranties set forth above, or your violation of any law or the rights of a third party. PEOPLE Commerce Editor Erika Reals updated this article to include long-term testing insights for each micellar water, including removing a product that our team no longer recommends after three months of use. The next most obvious change is the way it feels. It's creamy to the touch and fairly opaque at first so it's clear — pun intended — there's more than just water inside. A micellar water is applied to your complexion with a cotton pad; as you wipe it off, you take those micelles (and all of that extra gunk) off of your skin, no rinsing required. Not only are they very easy to use, micellar waters are also much gentler on your skin than traditional soap-based cleansers, notes Dr. Kseniya Kobets, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in New York City. And that makes them an especially good choice for anyone with drier, more sensitive skin, although anyone can use them.
How it's held up: We found that this Avene micellar water still does a great job at removing makeup, but we appreciate even more how refreshing it leaves the skin, leaving the skin hydrated as it cleanses. Compared to other micellar waters we tested, we love that this leaves the skin feeling velvety soft and hydrated; we don't even need to apply moisturizer right away after using. Cleanse the day away with Drunk Elephant E-Rase™ Clean Cleansing Micellar Water, a ceramide-rich formulation that works to effectively remove all traces of makeup, dirt, pollution and bacteria from the face. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation, it’s a good idea to seek out micellar waters that are fragrance-free, suggests Dr. Kobets. ‘Fragrance’ can be made up of many different ingredients and is one of the most common irritants and allergens, though it is fairly easy to avoid. Given that many micellar waters are geared towards those with sensitivities, there are plenty of great fragrance-free options out there, including our overall favorite, the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1. Although non-fragrant products are great for sensitive skin, our tester wishes there was a light fragrance. But even without, she shares that she plans on buying this product because she loves it so much. How it's held up: We still use this micellar water every night and continue to love it, especially on days we wear heavier makeup — since it wipes up the residual makeup that face cleansers leave behind. After using every single night for three months, we still have half of the bottle of product left, which only adds to its already great value.
What is micellar water?
We wish it did a better job at hydrating the skin (despite addition of glycerin and niacinamide), so this may not be the choice for those with naturally dry skin To make your search easier, we identified 32 top-rated micellar waters that work across all skin types. Then we recruited a team of testers to analyze each formula and rate them based on their feel, absorption, effectiveness, hydration, and overall appearance after application. Ultimately, we were able to narrow down the original pool of products to the 10 best micellar waters on the market. With five stars across the board, Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 stands out because it effortlessly cleans away every bit of makeup and dirt without stripping the skin of essential moisture. How it's held up: This micellar water from Origins has made our skin feel balanced and smooth over the testing period. While it cleanses by itself well, we have found it works best after using your typical face cleanser, as this micellar water does a good job at wiping off any excess dirt and makeup and priming the skin for additional skincare. We will even use it in the middle of the day if we feel like our skin needs a bit of a refresh. What we love about this micellar water is that it leaves skin feeling dewy and moisturized, which is also great for anyone who has dry skin. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. Originally a French skincare staple, micellar water is a multitasking product loved for its ability to cleanse skin and remove makeup, all in one step. A great alternative to makeup wipes and face washes, the rinse-free formulas are gentle yet effective. The thing is, with micellar water’s popularity rising, finding the right one for your skin concerns can feel like a daunting task.
I recommend using micellar water to cleanse in the morning. You’ll have gone to bed with clean skin, and the only thing on your skin’s surface is residue from any skincare products you might have worn overnight,” Dr. Yadav shares. “To fully remove makeup or sunscreen, however, I’d suggest a true cleanse." This is when a cleansing balm would come in handy. Ceramide Blend: Ceramides AP, NP, and EOP are derived from plant sources and are identical to the wax-like moisturising ceramides that occur naturally in skin and help soothe and maintain the moisture balance of skin while protecting against water loss. Ceramides help fill in the spaces between skin cells, giving them elasticity, and play a critical role in strengthening the skin barrier. Vitamin E: A powerful and easily absorbable vitamin that soothes + preserves the natural lipid balance of skin while defending against environmental free-radical damage. Although there are some common features (like the consistency and appearance of the two), micellar water is different from toner. In essence, micellar water acts as a cleanser, whereas toner is an additional step used after cleansing. that is, or may reasonably be considered to be, defamatory, libellous, hateful, racially or religiously biased or offensive, unlawfully threatening or unlawfully harassing to any individual, partnership or corporation;Although it yielded a measurable increase in skin’s moisture levels, it didn't increase as much as some others we tested At Drunk Elephant, we believe there are six culprits that are at the root of almost all skin problems. If you take a break from the Suspicious 6, your skin can reset to its happiest, healthiest state. Mongongo Oil: Rich in vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids (predominantly linoleic and oleic), mongongo oil is a soothing and super-moisturising oil. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Passionfruit Oil: Commonly known as maracuja oil, it’s used for its rich moisturising properties and skin soothing benefits
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