We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Beauty The 10 Best Micellar Waters of 2024, Tested & Reviewed Effortlessly remove every trace of makeup and grime. By Amanda Rosenthal Amanda Rosenthal Amanda Rosenthal is a beauty and fashion commerce writer at InStyle. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on April 19, 2024 @ 03:15PM In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews What to Keep in Mind Your Questions, Answered Why Shop With Us InStyle / Jhett Thompson Originally a French skincare staple, micellar water is a multitasking product loved for its ability to act as a makeup remover and cleanse the skin in one step. How, exactly? “Micellar water cleanses the skin without using surfactants — instead, it uses micelles, which are essentially little fat bubbles,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Geeta Yadav. “If you think back to middle school science class, you learned that oil and water don’t mix, but oils mix well with one another. Micelles clean the skin using this concept: They grab onto the oil, dirt, and grime on the skin and whisk it away," she adds. We identified 32 top-rated micellar waters that work across all skin types and tested each one. Our testers measured their skin’s moisture levels before and after use, noting any significant changes. Then, they swiped one product on each side of their face for feel, absorption, effectiveness, hydration, and overall appearance. From there, we narrowed down the list to the 10 best micellar waters. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water at Amazon ($17) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Origins Skin Relief Micellar Cleanser at Nordstrom ($38) Jump to Review Best Budget: Simple Micellar Cleansing Water at Walmart ($11) Jump to Review Best Drugstore: Avene Eau Thermal Micellar Lotion at Aveneusa.com ($18) Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: Vichy Mineral Micellar Water at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best for Oily Skin: Kumiko Skincare Matcha Micellar Water at Thirteenlune.com ($32) Jump to Review Best for Dry Skin: Drunk Elephant Micellar Water at Amazon ($28) Jump to Review Best Calming: Neogen Calming Cicatree Micellar Cleansing Oil at Neogenlab.us ($29) Jump to Review Best for Makeup Removal: Medik8 Eyes & Lips Micellar Cleanser at Medik8.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Travel: Bioderma H2O Micellar Water at Amazon ($19) Jump to Review Best Overall Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Target View On Amazon $17 View On Ulta $9 View On Target $4 Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Cleansing Ability 5/5 Hydration 5/5 Appearance 5/5 Absorption 5/5 What We Love The micellar water is formulated with high quality ingredients that effortlessly clean the skin without stripping it of its natural moisture. What We Don’t Love It’s not the best at removing waterproof mascara. Coveted by makeup artists and makeup lovers alike, it’s no surprise Garnier’s original micellar cleansing water checked off all our boxes. Formulated without parabens, alcohol, oil, fragrance, or sulfates, this water easily cleanses the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Not to mention, this product is great for those with sensitive skin as it’s non-irritating and gentle. The lightweight formula easily absorbs into skin and effortlessly removes any makeup, dirt, and grime. With just one swipe, our tester’s skin was left feeling revitalized and cleaner than ever. “It feels like a fresh shower, brightening my skin and bringing life back into my face,” he says. While it does a superb job at removing almost every trace of makeup, you might have to use a bit more elbow grease (or just a few extra cotton pads) to fully get waterproof mascara off. Size: 23.7 fl oz, 13.5 fl oz, and 3.4 fl oz | Good for: All skin types | Scented: No Best Splurge Origins Skin Relief Micellar Cleanser Sephora View On Nordstrom $38 View On Sephora $39 View On Ulta $39 Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Cleansing Ability 5/5 Hydration 4.5/5 Appearance 5/5 Absorption 5/5 What We Love Infused with a mushroom blend, this micellar water is loaded with antioxidants that deeply moisturize. What We Don’t Love This micellar water doesn’t function as a makeup remover. The sound of mushroom-infused skincare may sound off-putting, but the natural ingredient is actually a skincare wonder that helps hydrate and brighten skin — and it happens to be the star ingredient in this formula. Aptly named, this micellar water is packed with a unique blend of plants and mushrooms to soothe skin, visibly reduce redness, and replenish hydration. Our tester raves about how revitalizing the product feels: “The consistency is extremely comfortable and lightweight, and I barely noticed that I put on anything at all,” she says. “I love washing my face with face wash, however, this micellar water makes my skin feel so much softer than any cleanser I’ve used.” It’s important to note, that unlike other micellar waters on this list, this is not a makeup remover, so we recommend using this as the second step of your cleansing routine to achieve that extra clean feeling. Size: 6.7 fl oz | Good for: Normal, Dry, and Oily skin | Scented: Yes Best Budget Simple Micellar Cleansing Water Amazon View On Walmart $11 View On Target $5 Our Ratings Feel 4/5 Cleansing Ability 5/5 Hydration 5/5 Appearance 5/5 Absorption 5/5 What We Love Like the name suggests, it’s a no-frills yet effective cleanser. What We Don’t Love Our tester mentions that it made her skin feel a bit tingly, which may be off-putting for some. 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. “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. Size: 6.76 fl oz | Good for: All skin types | Scented: No Best Drugstore Avene Eau Thermal Micellar Lotion Amazon View On Aveneusa.com $18 View On Violet Grey View On Walgreens $18 Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Cleansing Ability 5/5 Hydration 4.5/5 Appearance 5/5 Absorption 5/5 What We Love Formulated with Avene thermal spring water, this cleansing lotion soothes the skin while simultaneously removing all traces of makeup. What We Don’t Love It has a light fragrance that may irritate some. While there’s no magical well water that will solve all our skin concerns, Avene thermal spring water is the next best thing. It contains beneficial minerals, derived from the earth’s deepest and oldest dolomite rocks, that help soothe skin and aid in skin conditions, like sunburns and irritation from shaving — and it’s also the key ingredient in this micellar water. Upon application, our tester was amazed at how lightweight and comfortable the formula feels. “It absorbs extremely fast, leaving my skin refreshed and hydrated,” she says. Because this product is a cleansing balm, it’s no surprise it nourishes your skin barrier. But, it also gently removes pollutants, relieving skin of the harmful pore-clogging particles. It’s worth noting that this does have a faint smell, but our tester says it’s a nice, subtle addition. “The scent is gentle and soothing — very pleasant and not too overpowering.” All in all, our tester loves the product so much she started integrating it into her routine. Size: 16.8 fl oz, 6.76 fl oz, and 3.38 fl oz | Good for: All skin types | Scented: Yes Best for Sensitive Skin Vichy Mineral Micellar Water Amazon View On Amazon $20 View On Ulta $15 View On Vichyusa.com Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Cleansing Ability 5/5 Hydration 5/5 Appearance 5/5 Absorption 5/5 What We Love This micellar water contains 15 natural minerals that help cleanse and revitalize the skin. What We Don’t Love Because the formula is extremely gentle, it may take a few swipes to remove all your makeup. Finding products that work with sensitive skin can be a struggle, but luckily this micellar water from Vichy was made specifically with sensitive skin in mind. Formulated without alcohol or other harsh ingredients, this cleansing water features Vichy’s mineral-rich volcanic water — which is loaded with 15 minerals to be exact — and micellar technology that attracts and traps any residual dirt. Plus, it also includes vitamin B5, a humectant, which soothes the skin and enhances glow. Our tester loves the makeup removing and cleansing capabilities, highlighting that it took her makeup off “with ease” and left her skin feeling “clean and hydrated.” That said, because it’s gentle, it does take a few more swipes to thoroughly remove makeup (especially waterproof mascara) compared to other options on this list, but that is a minor inconvenience that can be overlooked. Size: 13.52 fl oz, 6.76 fl oz, and 3.38 fl oz | Good for: Sensitive skin | Scented: Yes Best for Oily Skin Kumiko Skincare Matcha Micellar Water Thirteen June View On Thirteenlune.com $32 View On Kumikoskincare.com Our Ratings Feel 4/5 Cleansing Ability 5/5 Hydration 5/5 Appearance 5/5 Absorption 5/5 What We Love This micellar water is formulated with matcha, which leaves skin looking glowy, not greasy. What We Don’t Love It has a light cucumber scent that some may not like. Concocted with a blend of almond oil, organic matcha tea extract, and echinacea flower extract, this cleansing water hydrates skin, removes excess oil, and boosts collagen production. Our tester enjoyed how this micellar water made her skin feel, giving her complexion a refreshing “burst of energy.” Beyond the feeling, she was also impressed to see her eye makeup melt away in just one simple swipe, with no lingering mascara left under her eyes (something that is dreadful to deal with). In addition to the key ingredients, this is enriched with chamomile, cucumber, horse chestnuts, and aloe vera, giving the water a nice, spa-like scent that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. Our tester highlights that while it leaves her skin glowy it also makes a great face wash for oily skin. “It meets all the quality checks: It’s hydrating, smells good, and doesn't leave any residue on the skin.” Size: 8.4 fl oz | Good for: Oily and Normal skin types | Scented: Yes Best for Dry Skin Drunk Elephant Micellar Water Sephora View On Amazon $28 View On Sephora $30 View On Ulta $30 Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Cleansing Ability 5/5 Hydration 5/5 Appearance 5/5 Absorption 5/5 What We Love It contains a blend of three ceramides to calm and hydrate dry skin. What We Don’t Love Our tester wishes there was a slight scent added to the product. This milky micellar water from Drunk Elephant contains a three ceramide blend key for maintaining the moisture balance of your skin. Besides the hydrating benefits, ceramides also aid in strengthening skin’s elasticity, so your complexion will appear more plump and revived after using this. For our tester, the difference in suppleness was immediate. “[The formula] feels so nice, like velvet. I keep touching my face because it feels so hydrated now,” she says. Beyond the way it makes skin feel, it also does an exemplary job of removing makeup, dirt and debris — this is thanks to melon seed oil, which nourishes skin and helps dissolve makeup. While the product works wonders to revitalize skin, it also comes in a chic bottle (made of recyclable packaging) that easily dispenses the perfect amount of product onto a cotton pad — the cherry on top. Although non-fragrant products are great for sensitive skin, our tester wishes there was a light fragrance. Size: 8 fl oz and 3.3 fl oz | Good for: Dry and Normal skin types | Scented: No Best Calming Neogen Calming Cicatree Micellar Cleansing Oil Neogen Lab View On Neogenlab.us $29 What We Love It nourishes skin, instantly alleviating any redness or irritation. What We Don’t Love Because it’s a micellar oil, it has to be rinsed off. Unlike other micellar cleansers on this list, this one requires a quick rinse because rather than a water, it’s actually an oil. The consistency packs a gentle punch: Removing all impurities while also deeply nourishing your complexion. “I can feel the oils breaking down and deep cleaning my face,” shares our tester. Made from cica tree and tea tree, this micellar oil tames skin flare ups and prevents future breakouts from popping up. “My skin is usually very reactionary, but this oil cleanser leaves me glowing,” our tester adds. The only fault we could find is that this oil requires a quick rinse, but in doing so you ensure you’re thoroughly washing your face. Size: 10 fl oz | Good for: All skin types | Scented: Yes Best for Makeup Removal Medik8 Eyes & Lips Micellar Cleanser Dermstore View On Medik8.com Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Cleansing Ability 4/5 Hydration 5/5 Appearance 5/5 Absorption 5/5 What We Love It quickly and thoroughly removes the most stubborn makeup. What We Don’t Love While you can use this on your entire face, it is specifically targeted to remove stubborn eye and lip makeup. Looking for a makeup remover that won’t totally strip your skin? Medik8 Eyes and Lips Micellar Cleanser dissolves stubborn makeup while simultaneously soothing skin. With ingredients like vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid, this thick water-like cleanser hydrates the eye and lip areas, eliminating the look of fine lines and completely erasing any lingering waterproof eyeliner or lipstick. “I was apprehensive it would leave some residue due to the fact that it's a bit thicker and milkier, but it absorbs like a dream,” shares our tester. While this product can be applied to the whole face, it is important to note that it’s intended to be used on your eyes and lips. Size: 3.38 fl oz | Good for: All skin types | Scented: Yes Best for Travel Bioderma H2O Micellar Water Dermstore View On Amazon $19 View On Dermstore $19 View On Target $6 What We Love This straightforward cleanser won’t irritate your skin. What We Don’t Love The bottle dispenses a lot of product at once. Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water is the ultimate travel companion: Coming in a TSA-friendly 3.3 ounce-sized package, its non-irritating formula moisturizes and cleanses the skin wherever you are in the world. After a long flight, your skin may be out of sorts (flying can exacerbate any breakouts and dehydrate your skin), but this cleanser quickly rebalances it in just a swipe. It also removes all traces of makeup, and with the inclusion of cucumber extract, soothes your skin. “Though the product was very lightweight, my skin was instantly refreshed after usage,” shares our tester. Just be cautious when applying this to a cotton pad as a lot of product comes out at once. Size: 16.7 fl oz, 8.33 fl oz, and 3.38 fl oz | Good for: Sensitive skin types | Scented: No What to Keep in Mind Ingredients: Finding the right ingredients for your needs is super important for maintaining your skin’s moisture barrier and preventing any breakouts. According to Dr. Yadav, 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.Skin Type: 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 oily skin, you want micellar water that will remove impurities and sop up excess oil. On the other hand, those with dry skin should opt for a formula that is super nourishing and moisturizing that's rich in hydrating ingredients. Your Questions, Answered How do you use micellar water? 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. “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. Is micellar good for your skin? According to Dr. Yadav, micellar cleansing water is great for your skin. “Micellar water is very gentle on the skin because it uses those micelles to clean away excess oil and grime, not surfactants, which can aggressively strip the skin of its natural oils and leave it dehydrated,” she explains. Is micellar water toner? 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. Why Shop With Us Amanda Rosenthal is a former commerce writer for InStyle. Amanda has experience researching and testing different makeup products and has tried tons of different micellar water. With additional knowledge from professional, board certified dermatologist, Dr. Geeta Yadav, and first-hand experience trying out numerous cleansing waters, rounded up the top picks for this story.