The 12 Best Micellar Waters of 2024 That Make Cleansing Easy

Best Overall

Bioderma H2O Micellar Water

View On Amazon $19 View On Dermstore $19 View On Target $6

This micellar water is a French pharmacy staple—for good reason. Ideal for sensitive and easily irritated skin, it’s formulated to soothe while it cleanses skin and removes eye and face makeup in one step. Even after wiping a micellar water-drenched cotton round across her sensitive eye area, our tester shared that she experienced no stinging or discomfort in the slightest. The formula contains fatty acid esters, which are similar to lipids (aka fats) already present in your skin. These help repair the skin’s protective layer, effectively treating irritation. After using this micellar water, you’ll walk away with soft, smooth skin—and no flakiness or redness in sight. 

Ingredient Highlights: Water, Micelles, Cucumber Extract | Size: 3.38 ounces

Best Drugstore

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water

View On Target $5 View On Walmart $17

Our Ratings

• Feel
  4/5
• Cleansing Ability
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5

Get serious bang for your buck with this budget-friendly micellar water. It’s chock full of good-for-your-skin ingredients—including vitamin B3, vitamin C, and triple purified water—while still being completely lightweight. Our tester explained that it felt “light and calming” and didn't leave behind any residue. Best of all, sensitive skin types can rejoice at the fact that this micellar water is free of potential irritants like perfumes, dyes, and strong chemicals. It’s even been specifically ophthalmologist-tested for use around the eyes.

Ingredient Highlights: Water, Vitamin B3, Vitamin C  | Size: 6.7 ounces

Best Splurge

Drunk Elephant Micellar Water

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

For those who enjoy the finer things in life, please turn your attention to this splurge-worthy micellar water from cult-favorite skincare brand Drunk Elephant. What makes it different from other formulations on the market is its barrier-supportive ingredients, which include a milky ceramide blend and plant-derived oils. Our tester was hooked, sharing that she couldn’t stop touching her face after because it felt like velvet. 

Ingredient Highlights: Water, Ceramide blend, Melon seed oil | Size: 8 ounces

Best Makeup Remover

Medik8 Eyes & Lips Micellar Cleanser

View On Medik8.com

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Cleansing Ability
  4/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5

Waterproof mascara, liquid lipstick, and full-coverage foundation sure go the extra mile to ensure a makeup look stays put for hours but (annoyingly) requires a little extra effort to take off. When you’re wearing a full face of heavy, long-wearing makeup, you need a makeup remover that can cut through without forcing you to harshly rub or tug at your skin. This micellar cleansing water from Medik8 dissolves every last trace of waterproof makeup (thanks to a formula fueled by hydrators like vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid, chamomile, and cornflower) and doesn’t leave behind any yucky residue.

Ingredient Highlights: Water, Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B5, Chamomile, Cornflower | Size: 3.3 ounces

Best Fragrance-Free

Typology 7-Ingredient Micellar Water

View On Typology.com $21

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Cleansing Ability
  5/5
• Hydration
  4.5/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5

Those in favor of a minimalistic approach (or those with fragrance allergies) will love this micellar water from Typology. The formula contains seven ingredients that work hard to remove oil, makeup, and bacteria with ease. You can expect your skin to feel smooth, slightly dewy, and really clean. Best of all, according to our tester, it leaves behind a lovely glow effect. 

Ingredient Highlights: Water, Glycerin, Citric acid | Size: 6.76 ounces

Best Multi-Purpose

Klorane Micellar Water

View On Amazon $26 View On Dermstore $26 View On Kloraneusa.com

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Cleansing Ability
  5/5
• Hydration
  4/5
• Appearance
  4/5
• Absorption
  4.5/5

Even if you aren’t in close proximity to a sink, the Klorane Micellar Water ensures a fresh cleanse every single time. Thanks to the star ingredient, organic cornflower water, this formula gently removes makeup, cleanses, and tones the skin all at once. Even though the micellar water is working overtime to get three things done at once, it still feels comfortable and lightweight on the skin. There’s one thing to note: Our tester says that the formula has a subtle alcohol smell, so if that is a turn-off for you, you might be better off with a fragrance-free option. 

Ingredient Highlights: Cornflower water  | Size: 13.5 ounces

Best for Sensitive Skin

Avene Eau Thermal Micellar Lotion

View On Aveneusa.com $18 View On Violet Grey $18 View On Walgreens $14

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Cleansing Ability
  5/5
• Hydration
  4.5/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5

If you have sensitive skin, then you know that finding a cleanser that won’t leave you beet red is quite the struggle. Enter this micellar water designed specifically for those with easily irritated skin. It’s formulated with the brand’s thermal spring water to calm inflamed skin and glycols to hydrate. The micellar water can be used on the face, eyes, and lips to remove makeup, cleanse, and tone. 

One thing to keep in mind: Although it’s ideal for sensitive skin, this micellar water does have a subtle fragrance. According to our tester, it has a “pleasant” smell that isn’t too overpowering, but if your skin is triggered by fragrance, you may want to steer clear of this one.

Ingredient Highlights: Thermal spring water, Hydrogenated castor oil  | Size: 6.7 ounces

Best for Oily Skin

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

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

Those with oily skin will do best with mattifying micellar water, like this one from Garnier. It’s gentle enough to use on the face, eyes, and lips yet powerful enough to effectively absorb and control excess oil. Our tester raved about how quickly it got to work on his skin. He shared that almost immediately after use, his skin felt “refreshed” and “more awake.” 

Ingredient Highlights: Water, Glycerin | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best for Dry Skin

Origins Skin Relief Micellar Cleanser

View On Sephora $39 View On Ulta $39 View On Nordstrom $33

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Cleansing Ability
  5/5
• Hydration
  4.5/5
• Appearance
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5

Say goodbye to dry, lackluster skin by cleansing with this micellar water. It’s formulated with a variety of glow-boosting ingredients (like reishi mushroom and essential oils) to instantly calm skin, help reduce redness, and amp up hydration. Our tester shared that prior to the test, she had dry patches all over her face. After cleansing with the Origins micellar water, however, she noticed a “significant difference” in the texture and feel of her skin. In fact, she said her face felt “hydrated and refreshed.”

Ingredient Highlights: Reishi mushroom, Organic essential oils | Size: 6.7 ounces

Best Hydrating

Vichy Mineral Micellar Water

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

No matter your skin type, sometimes our skin craves a little hydration. Quench your skin’s thirst with this micellar water from Vichy. Formulated with the brand’s signature volcanic mineral water, this formula cleanses, removes makeup, and soothes skin, all in one step. You can expect impurities to melt away, leaving behind hydrated, refreshed skin. Plus, our tester kept raving about how comfortable her skin felt after using a micellar water-soaked cotton pad. Since it’s mostly thermal water, some found it to be very runny. Be careful when dispensing the product, so you don’t waste any. 

Ingredient Highlights:  Thermal mineral water, Vitamin B5 | Size: 6.7 ounces

Best Natural

Kumiko Skincare Matcha Micellar Water

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

Designed to remove makeup and deeply cleanse the skin, this micellar water contains micelles that completely eliminate residue. Ingredients like matcha tea extract, almond oil, and hyaluronic acid help restore elasticity, provide hydration, and give the skin a nice, healthy glow. Even our tester said that her face looked “extremely glowy” and “more hydrated than it has ever looked.” Keep in mind that if you have a nut allergy, this formula contains almond oil which might trigger a reaction. 

Ingredient Highlights: Matcha tea extract, Almond oil  | Size: 8.4 ounces