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. There’s a major ‘shroom boom’ happening in skincare at the moment, and this micellar water does indeed capitalize on all those benefits of mushrooms. It’s part of the reason why it earned this superlative, well-worth every penny. Along with doing its intended duty of cleansing the skin (which we found it to do quite well, we might add), it also contains a variety of mushroom extracts that further help to calm and soothe. And that’s alongside a lengthy list of other antioxidant-rich ingredients, putting this almost in the category of a serum when it comes to offering benefits besides just cleansing. The end result? A significant difference in the texture and feel of our skin. Although it yielded a measurable increase in skin’s moisture levels, it didn't increase as much as some others we tested that is, or may reasonably be considered to be submitted in extreme volumes and as such be deemed as ‘spam’; 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.

that violates any law, statute, ordinance or regulation (including, but not limited to, those governing export control, consumer protection, unfair competition, anti-discrimination or false advertising); 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.

Micellar water FAQs

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. 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: After testing for three months, we can confidently say this is still a great option for those with dry skin, even during the winter. While hydrating, the formula is not at all greasy and doesn't leave an oily residue behind, which we appreciate (although we still recommend another rinse or cleanse if you have acne-prone skin). It's also still super effective at removing makeup, including full-faced makeup looks.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, C15-19 Alkane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin use of the content you supply does not violate these Terms of Use and will not cause injury to any person or entity.

How to use micellar water

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. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ 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. 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.

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 Mongongo Oil: Rich in vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids (predominantly linoleic and oleic), mongongo oil is a soothing and super-moisturising oil. 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. Yes, micellar water is gentle enough for daily use,” says Dr. Fahs. Unlike some traditional toners, micellar water doesn’t contain drying alcohols, so it’s okay to use daily, even if you have sensitive skin, she adds.

Verdict: Best micellar water

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. 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. 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.