Since incorporating it over the last year to swiftly refresh my skin each morning and make way for my AM skin-care routine, I’ve become so impressed with its efficacy to clear skin of overnight buildup. While this is my primary use, I do still reach for it to remove stubborn or waterproof makeup—just to make sure I do not leave any traces behind. My travel skin-care assortment is always in flux, but a bottle of micellar water is as much of a non-negotiable as a tube of toothpaste. I simply will not travel without it! Ahead, everything you need to know about micellar water, plus Vogue’s favorite formulas to shop.
Best Overall: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
- Why We Love It: Over the years, I’ve been recommended Bioderma’s Sensibio micellar water too many times to count. And after one use, it’s easy to see why. Murphy-Rose likes it because “it is fragrance free and paraben free and effectively removes oils and makeup while leaving skin feeling clean and hydrated.” I like that its virtually weightless on the skin and doesn’t leave any soapy residue—eliminating the desire to rinse it off. Vogue’s senior shopping editor Talia Abbas has been using it for 15 years: “No surprise, my Italian mother, who lived in France for several years, introduced it to me when I was a teenager. It’s an OG in my routine and will always be.”
- Key Ingredients: Cucumber fruit extract
- Fragrance: No
Best Drugstore: CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water
- Why We Love It: Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose says CeraVe makes a great hydrating micellar water with three essential ceramides and niacinamide. “It is a good choice for a morning cleanse or as the first step of a double cleanse at the end of the day,” she adds. Along with its ability to thoroughly remove traces of impurities while improving skin tone and moisture levels, this non-comedogenic micellar water is tested by ophthalmologists and accepted by the National Eczema Association—meaning its safe for eyes and sensitive skin types.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide
- Fragrance: No
Best Hydrating: Dior Micellar Water Makeup Remover
- Why We Love It: Vogue’s senior beauty editor Margaux Anbouba calls Dior’s micellar water “the next best thing” to a morning face wash when her skin doesn’t need a full cleanse. “I like to put a few shakes of the gentle micellar on the Shiseido super-soft cotton pads (you haven’t lived until you have tried these with a micellar water or toner, trust me),” she says. “It gently freshens up skin and rehydrates without any stripping or stinging, and smells lightly of florals. Love!”
- Key Ingredients: Water lily, glycerin
- Fragrance: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Avène Makeup Removing Micellar Water
- Why We Love It: Formulated with 99% natural-origin ingredients, Avène’s micellar water is a standout for sensitive skin types. Though it boasts a subtle scent, this gently cleanses the skin while nourishing it with the brand’s soothing thermal spring water and glycerin.
- Key Ingredients: Avène thermal spring water, glycerin, trehalose
- Fragrance: Yes
Best for Dry Skin: Sisley Paris Eau Efficace
- Why We Love It: Those with dry skin should choose their micellar water with as much care as they would their face wash. Look for ones rich in nourishing agents to replenish skin’s moisture levels while cleanse. For this, look no further than Sisley’s Eau Efficace—a 3-in-1 cleanser, toner, and makeup remover powered by conditioning agents like linden blossom water, bisabolol, provitamin B5 and botanical extracts to replenish skin seamlessly.
- Key Ingredients: Linden blossom water, bisabolol, provitamin B5, Shikakai, desert date, gypsophila, and neroli extract
- Fragrance: Yes
Best for Waterproof Makeup: Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water
- Why We Love It: Whenever I’m wearing a full face of makeup, a couple coats of eyeliner and mascara, or layers of sunscreen, I reach for this Garnier micellar water. The formula is designed to sweep away waterproof makeup without excessive rubbing, so it makes cleansing skin a breeze. It is rather foamy, so I’d recommend following with a second cleanser at night, or at least rinsing with water in the morning to ensure all traces are gone.
- Key Ingredients: N/A
- Fragrance: No
Best Refreshing: La Mer The Cool Micellar Cleanser
- Why We Love It: In my opinion, one of the biggest draws to La Mer is the sensorial experience each of its products offer. This formula, for example, puts a refreshing spin on the humble micellar water by giving it a cooling sensation that instantly awakens skin. And of course, thanks to the brand’s beloved Miracle Broth, this leaves skin hydrated and soft after each use.
- Key Ingredients: Miracle Broth
- Fragrance: No
Best for Oily Skin: CosRx Low pH Niacinamide Micellar Cleansing Water
- Why We Love It: As someone with oily skin, incorporating niacinamide into my routine is essential; so, when I realized CosRx offered a micellar water with it, I had to test it immediately. Here, micelles pair with niacinamide to cleanse skin while controlling sebum production to keep skin fresh and balanced. The large size (400 mL) lasts forever, and at only $15 it’s a major steal.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide
- Fragrance: No
Best Scent: Yon-Ka Eau Micellaire Micellar Cleansing Water
- Why We Love It: “I’m always very particular about scents for products, and Yon-Ka often passes the test for not just me, but our fellow editors that sit nearby (ask me about the face mist that we share in the visuals department!),” Vogue’s beauty editor-at-large Arden Fanning Andrews says. “At home, I keep this Yon Ka micellar in the shower as a first step when I’m wearing a waterproof product or sticky sunblock—refreshing!”
- Key Ingredients: Sea lavender, polysaccharides, sodium PCA, rose, bergamot, mint, and chamomile essential oils
- Fragrance: Yes
What is micellar water?
“Micellar water is a solution comprised of micelles or tiny cleansing ‘balls’ that are attracted to oil and dirt, that can effectively bind and lift them from skin without the need for rinsing,” says board-certifed dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose. “It is usually a combination of mild surfactants and moisturizers with or without added ingredients to provide additional skin benefits.”
How does micellar water differ from a traditional cleanser?
“Traditional cleansers often contain surfactants and can be foamy or creamy,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mina Amin explains. Whereas, “micellar water is gentler and has a lightweight, watery consistency.”
What are the benefits of micellar water?
“Micellar water is an effective gentle cleansing option suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin, with reduced risk of skin irritation,” Murphy-Rose notes. “Many formulas also contain hydrating ingredients that help maintain the skin’s moisture balance and prevent dryness.” Specifically, she continues, look for a micellar water with humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, plus soothing ingredients like aloe, niacinamide, and ceramides. She also praises it for its ability to remove makeup: “In fact, we keep it in each exam room in my office to remove makeup from patients’ faces when needed before a skin evaluation.”
When should you use micellar water?
There are many uses for micellar water, per Bonjout. First, in the morning “as a light cleanse to remove oils that accumulate overnight.” You can also use it as the first step in a double cleansing routine, to gently remove makeup and surface oils before a foaming or gel face wash. Micellar water can also used for touchups throughout the day, say after a workout or while traveling. Lastly, those with sensitive skin might appreciate it “as a daily cleanser for those who find traditional formulas too harsh.”
