These Tester-Approved Micellar Waters Are Holy Grails for a Minimalist Routine (2025)

Our Top Picks

Why We Love It: Out of all the micellar waters we tested, this one is our favorite because it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, doesn’t leave the face feeling dry, and effectively removes dirt, makeup, and all of the other gunk that builds up throughout the day. Our tester was truly amazed by how good her skin felt after using this product, and she couldn’t believe that it didn’t strip her already dry skin of moisture. It also feels light, refreshing, and soothing on the skin, and it absorbs quickly without leaving any residue behind.

Who It’s For: Honestly, this product is suitable for almost anyone. It’s formulated with calming chamomile and skin-nurturing rose—and smells delightful. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, and it’s safe for removing eye makeup.

Key Ingredients: Chamomile, rose, micelles | Size: 6.7 oz | Scented: No

Lee, tester with dry, sensitive skin: “This micellar water left my skin feeling hydrated and nourished while also leaving it very clean! Not dry or tight at all which is impressive for my sensitive and dry skin.”

Why We Love It: This micellar water is gentle, effective, nourishing, and costs less than $15, so it’s also a great deal. The simple formula thoroughly removes makeup, including lipstick, without putting in extra effort and potentially damaging skin. Our tester’s skin felt very clean after using this product and she appreciated that it didn’t leave behind any grit or oil, just a fresh, nourishing feeling.

Who It’s For: CeraVe is well known for its dermatologist-developed products that are good for most skin types—and this one is no exception. Safe to use all over the face, including eyes and lips, it's also formulated to hydrate the skin while cleansing. Overall it’s a great product, but keep in mind the packaging can result in some product spillage.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides | Size: 10 oz | Scented: No

Trisha, tester with combination skin: "This is a solid one and done. I wouldn't feel the need to use another product for the purposes of cleansing my skin. In fact, on my lazier nights I would be fine only using this to cleanse, and since it felt hydrating I would not be mad at myself if I forgot every other product in my routine."

Why We Love It: Whether you’re trying to remove foundation, eye makeup, or lipstick, this micellar water is gentle and effective enough to get the job done without causing irritation. After using this product, our tester highlighted how refreshed her skin felt and she loved that her skin felt hydrated. It’s also well-packaged and easy to distribute while avoiding product waste, and the scent is subtle but pleasant.

Who It’s For: Since this is made without soaps, parabens, alcohol, mineral oil, wheat, ethoxylated agents, aluminum, talc, sulfates, or silicone, it will perform well with most skin types. That being said, our tester still needed to double cleanse with another makeup remover to fully remove the last few specs of dirt left on her face. (However, this can be said of most micellar waters.) “I tell my patients that while micellar water is convenient, it may not be sufficient as a standalone cleanser for deep cleansing needs, particularly if dealing with acne-prone skin or heavy makeup,” says Dr. Thornburg. “Those needing more intensive cleansing might consider using this as a first pass and then using a cleanser that offers a deeper clean.”

Key Ingredients: Avene thermal spring water, glycerin, trehalose, non-sulfated surfactants | Size: 6.7, 13.5 oz | Scented: Yes

Mandy, tester with combination skin: “I really like how it's gentle enough for the eye and lip areas. I appreciate it not irritating those areas.”

Why We Love It: Bioderma Hydrabio H2O Micellar Water is specifically made for dehydrated, sensitive skin—and it actually delivers. Our tester with dry, sensitive skin loved how this product thoroughly cleansed without making her skin feel tight and dry or greasy and oily as a result. This micellar water is fragrance-free, packaged in an easy-to-use pump bottle, and gentle enough to use around the eyes.

Who It’s For: Those with dry, sensitive skin will benefit the most from this micellar water because it’s specifically formulated with niacinamide and glycerin to retain moisture, and since it’s alcohol-free, it won’t strip the skin or leave it feeling tight after it fully absorbs. It’s also good for someone looking for a micellar water strong enough to remove eye makeup but who doesn’t mind a double cleanse if it means a gentler formula.

Key Ingredients: Micelles, vitamin PP apple seed extract, D.A.F. complex | Size: 16.7 oz | Scented: Yes

Lee, tester with dry, sensitive skin: “My skin doesn’t feel dry or tight at all which is great and makes me think this formula is indeed ideal for those with dry, sensitive skin like me…my skin feels balanced and hydrated without being oily or greasy.”

Why We Love It: We love Bubble Magic Melt Micellar Milk for cleansing away everyday makeup—including mascara. Our tester was able to remove a full face of makeup with the product and a few cotton rounds without feeling the need to double cleanse. It also feels great on the skin and leaves behind a nice dewy finish that doesn’t feel oily or greasy. This is a top-tier, effective product that we can’t say enough good things about.

Who It’s For: If you’re someone who has a low-key everyday makeup look and wants a quick, simple way to remove it at the end of the day, this is for you. It’s formulated for all skin types and is gentle enough for sensitive skin. However, if you wear heavier makeup, whether it’s every day or for a special event, this may not be enough to fully remove it in one cleanse, so be prepared to double (or possibly triple) up if you went full glam.

Key Ingredients: Oat extract, raspberry seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil | Size: 4 oz | Scented: No

Stephanie, tester with combination skin: “My mascara and foundation were completely removed as I applied the product to each area of my face. And my berry-colored lip stain was completely removed onto the pad with no visible makeup traces left on my skin, lips, or eyes.”

Why We Love It: For cleansing after a long day (or night) of wearing heavier makeup, we like Caudalie’s Vinoclean Cleansing Micellar Water. It’s lightweight and hydrating, and it’s effective at removing mascara, foundation, and powders with just a few cotton rounds. Our tester was very impressed with how well this product removed his full face of makeup and even highlighted how good his skin felt after using it.

Who It’s For: This is another micellar water that’s great for all skin types; however, the formula does have added fragrance so consider another option if you're prone to irritation. Given how effective it is at thoroughly removing makeup, this is excellent for someone who frequently layers on several products. That being said, even with this product you may still need to double cleanse. “You can effectively remove makeup and impurities with micellar water followed by a gentle cleanser to ensure a more comprehensive cleanse, particularly for those who wear heavy makeup or multiple layers of skin care products,” says Dr. Thornburg.

Key Ingredients: Chamomile, organic grape water | Size: 6.7 oz | Scented: Yes

Austin, tester with combination skin: “It did a great job cleaning the foundation off my skin and the mascara off my eyes…It removed my makeup and did not leave any visible residue.”

Why We Love It: Made with niacinamide, this low-pH micellar water is made to balance the skin without causing irritation or using harsh ingredients. Our tester, who has dry skin, was impressed by how well this cleansed her skin without stripping it of moisture. It was strong enough to remove her mascara and matte lipstick but still left her skin feeling healthy and hydrated. It’s the perfect balance of effective and gentle.

Who It’s For: Cosrx Low pH Niacinamide Micellar Cleansing Water is specifically formulated for super sensitive skin that is easily irritated, very dry skin, and skin that generally requires a more gentle cleanser with hydration. It’s also a good option for those who want to control excessive sebum, an oily substance the body naturally produces that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, allantoin, madecassoside, hyaluronic acid, panthenol | Size: 13.52 oz | Scented: No

Alexandra, tester with dry skin: “I like how light and fresh it is and how it was able to break down my makeup and gently cleanse my skin without drying or burning.”

Why We Love It: Dior’s Micellar Water is the perfect first-step cleanser for mature skin because it’s gentle, refreshing, and has just the right amount of hydration without overdoing it. Our tester felt like this product gave her skin a boost of moisture that created a suitable foundation for layering additional skin care products, including a facial moisturizer. We also like this product’s light rose scent and that it doesn’t leave skin feeling oily.

Who It’s For: Formulated with a hint of hyaluronic acid, it's a product that adds a little extra hydration to your skin. It’s also made to help strengthen the skin barrier, sooth skin, and gently cleanse pores, making it a safe choice for just about any skin type. While we love this product, it’s not the strongest cleanser and wasn’t enough to fully remove our tester’s lipstick and eye makeup, so it’s a good option for someone who is comfortable with double cleansing.

Key Ingredients: Water lily | Size: 6.8 oz | Scented: Yes

Sunita, tester with normal/combination skin: “I do like that this product gently removes makeup, hydrates, maintains pH, and strengthens the skin barrier.”

Why We Love It: With a rich, milky texture, Drunk Elephant’s E-Rase Milki Micellar Water delivers a soft cleanse that effectively removes light, everyday makeup without the need to scrub away at the skin. We like how light this feels on the skin and that it offers a hint of hydration so skin doesn’t feel tight after use. We also appreciate that it’s free of essential oils, silicones, solvent alcohols, fragrances, dyes, and sulfates.

Who It’s For: Our tester was able to adequately remove foundation and other lightly pigmented products with this micellar water, making it ideal for someone with a more minimalist approach to makeup. While it doesn’t have any added fragrances, it does have a natural seed oil scent; it doesn’t linger but keep this in mind if you’re sensitive to smells. Also, follow up with a good moisturizer if you have dry skin; while it won’t dry out your skin, it’s not super hydrating either.

Key Ingredients: Micellar cleansing blend, three-ceramide blend, wild melon seed oil | Size: 3.3, 8 oz | Scented: No

Alexandra, tester with dry skin: “My skin feels refreshed and clean with a slight dewiness…I would still double cleanse to feel truly refreshed and clean but it does not feel as though there is greasiness or oily-ness left from the application.”

Why We Love It: For those with easily irritated skin, add this Glossier product to your cart. The milky texture gives it a smoother feel than typical micellar water, and since it’s formulated with pro-vitamin B5, skin feels soft after use. It’s also made with comfrey root extract, which helps soothe dry skin. Our tester was pleased with how her skin felt after using this product, and she liked that it was effective in gently removing mascara and lip stains.

Who It’s For: Since this micellar water is oil-based, it’s great for normal or dry skin that could use a bit of moisture; on the flip side, it may not be ideal for oily skin. Thanks to its soothing benefits, this is a good choice for those with irritated or inflamed skin, as well.

Key Ingredients: Pro-vitamin B5, comfrey root extract | Size: 3.4 oz | Scented: No

Sunita, tester with normal/combination skin: “Due to the oily texture of the product, my skin felt clean and moisturized but not refreshed as it does with traditional micellar water. It did not feel greasy, and I did not have the urge to rush to add a moisturizer. ”

Why We Love It: For those days when you need (or just want) to clean your face quickly without the mess of soap and water, Lancôme Eau Fraîche Douceur Micellar Cleansing Water is the best pick. Our tester was able to remove all of her makeup—including eye makeup and lip color—without any scrubbing. Gently gliding the cotton pad across her face was enough, leaving her skin clean and refreshed. It also didn’t strip her skin of moisture or leave it feeling greasy.

Who It’s For: This micellar water is noncomedogenic and dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested, so anyone should feel safe using it, including those with sensitive skin. It’s a good option for cleansing on the go, travel, or for someone who struggles to commit to a long cleansing routine (or who just wants a break from it from time to time). Follow it up with a gentle moisturizer and you’re set.

Key Ingredients: Mineral oils | Size: 3.5 oz | Scented: Yes

Michelle, tester with combination skin: “There was no residue left behind on my skin and I actually felt as though I could go without washing my face. My face felt fresh and clean without feeling dry. The mascara and foundation easily slipped off and I was able to wipe it off without having to rub or scrub my face harshly. ”