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. 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.

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.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.) 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.

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. 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.”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. 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. Because this product is a cleansing lotion, 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. “I would say Avene lives up to its brand name in creating such high-quality products,” she adds.

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.