9 Best Organic Micellar Waters for Gentle Cleansing

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I first learned about micellar water from a travel blogger who said it was one of her favorite French skincare products. Since then, micellar water has become an essential part of my daily skincare routine. I use it on a nightly basis to remove makeup and clean and hydrate my skin.

Micellar water offers a quick and easy way to wash your face without having to lather up with face wash and water. It can also be the first step in a double-cleanse routine — wipe your skin down with micellar water and then follow up with a deeper cleanse.

I especially love to use organic micellar water, since I know it contains healthy, natural ingredients that are good for my skin and the environment. If you’re ready to add an all-natural micellar water to your skincare routine, read on for my top picks.

But first, a quick word about what micellar water is for those who, like me until recently, aren’t familiar with this great skincare product.

What Is Micellar Water?

Originally from France, micellar water is a skin care product that helps remove impurities from your skin. It contains purified water and micelles, which are collections of molecules that sop up grime, oil, and makeup.

Micellar water offers a soap- and water-free face cleansing experience. You simply put some on a cotton ball or cleansing pad and gently wipe your face (no rinsing required). We recommend reusable cleansing pads for an eco-friendly option.

I love being able to wipe my face clean at night when I’m feeling too tired to do a full cleanse. It’s also a great way to refresh your skin after the gym or beach, or anytime during the day when you’re feeling a little grimy. As mentioned, you can also start with micellar water and then use face wash for a double cleanse (check out our favorite natural face washes and cleansing gels here).

Since micellar water is free of harsh chemicals and alcohol, it’s great for sensitive skin — especially the natural and non-toxic micellar water options on the list below. Along with cleaning out impurities to keep your skin clean and clear, it can also hydrate your skin. For extra hydration, apply a natural face moisturizer to your skin after cleansing.

What to Look for in Organic Micellar Water

Organic micellar water uses natural, certified-organic ingredients to clean and hydrate your skin. Here are some ingredients you might find in a non-toxic micellar water:

• Micelles: These are tiny cleansing molecules made of surfactants. They work like magnets to attract and trap dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin and lift away makeup and grime.
• Natural surfactants: While some conventional micellar waters use synthetic surfactants, natural options use gentle and biodegradable ones derived from natural sources. Look for plant-based ingredients like decyl glucoside, coco-glucoside, or coco-betaine.
• Aloe vera: This beloved skincare ingredient soothes and hydrates the skin.
• Cucumber extract: This extract has soothing, hydrating, and refreshing properties.
• Witch hazel: A natural astringent, witch hazel can be a great toner since it helps tighten pores and balance the skin’s sebum production.
• Chamomile extract: This calming ingredient can soothe irritated or inflamed skin.
• Green tea extract: Green tea is packed with antioxidants and can help protect your skin from environmental stressors.
• Purified water: Organic micellar water uses high-quality purified water to ensure its base is safe and effective for your skin.

Ingredients to Avoid in Micellar Water

Unfortunately, not all micellar water formulas are created equal. Some non-natural micellar waters contain ingredients that can be harsh on the skin or have health and environmental concerns.

Here are some ingredients you might find in non-natural micellar water to steer clear of:

• Parabens: These synthetic preservatives can extend products’ shelf life, but they’ve been associated with hormone disruption and other health issues.
• Sulfates: Sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), are pretty aggressive surfactants. They can remove dirt and oil, but they’ll also strip your skin of its natural oils and can dry out and irritate your face.
• Synthetic fragrances: These can be made of a number of undisclosed chemicals that may trigger skin irritation or allergic reactions.
• Phthalates: These show up in a bunch of cosmetic products but are known endocrine disruptors.
• Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB): While this antibacterial ingredient is banned in cosmetic products in some other countries, it’s still allowed in the U.S., even though studies have linked it to cancer and gene mutation.

9 Best Organic Micellar Waters to Cleanse Your Skin

If you’re ready to embrace micellar water, here are my top picks for the best organic micellar water available today. These micellar water formulas use gentle but effective natural ingredients that are great for all skin types.

Note: Most of these micellar waters are verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) or have a rating of 3 or lower (the lower the better when it comes to safe and natural ingredients).

1. Mustela Micellar Water with Olive Oil and Aloe

• EWG verified

Made with 99% natural ingredients, Mustela’s Micellar Water for Face and Body is so gentle that it can be used on babies, children, and adults. It’s made from a vegan formula that contains crystalline water and organic olive oil sourced in the south of France.

Along with its naturally-derived ingredients, this micellar water is eco-friendly, as it comes in packaging made from sustainably-sourced sugar cane.

2. Evolve Organic Beauty Deep Clean Micellar Water

Evolve’s pomegranate-scented micellar water uses moringa peptides to remove micro-particles of pollution from your skin. Its organic pomegranate doesn’t just give it a lovely scent, either — it’s also packed with antioxidants to keep your skin clear and glowing. This organic micellar water also contains hyaluronic acid, which can help lock in moisture and increase collagen production.

It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and handmade in small batches. Evolve recommends applying three pumps of this cleanser onto a reusable cotton or bamboo pad to gently remove makeup and impurities from your face while hydrating and soothing your skin. While this product is not rated by the EWG, several of Evolve’s other skincare products have a “green” EWG rating of just 1 or 2.

3. Be Natural Organics Micellar Cleansing Water

• EWG verified

8. Curology Micellar Makeup Remover

• EWG rating: 2

Curology’s Micellar Makeup Remover is a heavy-hitter when it comes to wiping away makeup, even waterproof mascara and smudge-free liner. It can take off makeup, dirt, and oil without clogging your pores or stripping your skin. According to a clinical study of 52 users, it also improves skin hydration by 103% right away after use.

9. Cerave Hydrating Micellar Water

• EWG rating: 3

This non-comedogenic micellar water from Cerave is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and accepted by the National Eczema Association. It gently removes makeup and excess oil to leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed.

Some of its key ingredients include ceramides, which help restore the skin’s natural barrier, niacinamide, which calms the skin, and hyaluronic acid, which delivers serious hydration.

Cleanse and Hydrate Your Skin With All-Natural Micellar Water

Micellar water offers an easy and effective way to clean your skin when you’re in a hurry or don’t feel like lathering up with face cleanser and water. It’s also great for removing makeup or doing a quick cleanse if you’re feeling grimy during the day.

Organic micellar water often contains aloe vera, witch hazel, or other natural, skin-loving ingredients that gently cleanse, hydrate, and tone your skin. When choosing a micellar water, check out the ingredients so you can make an informed choice for your skincare routine and promote a healthier, more sustainable beauty regimen.

For more clean skincare, check out our favorite organic BB creams for a glowing complexion. While you’re at it, head to our guide on the best natural lip balms for hydrated lips.

Best Natural Micellar Water FAQ

What is micellar water?

Micellar water is a gentle face cleanser that wipes off grime, oil, and makeup without the need for water. It’s made with purified water, surfactants, and hydrating ingredients.

How is micellar water different from toner?

Toners are mainly focused on hydrating your skin and prepping it for moisturizer, whereas micellar water primarily cleanses the skin. That said, many micellar waters are multi-purpose skincare products that can cleanse, tone, and hydrate your skin all at the same time.

What are the benefits of micellar water?

The main benefit of micellar water is that it can gently cleanse your skin quickly and effectively. It removes dirt, makeup, and other impurities and is great for sensitive skin. Plus, you don’t have to wash it off, so it offers an easy and fast way to clean your face when you’re on the go or don’t feel like doing your full face wash routine.

How do you use micellar water?

To use micellar water, pour a small amount onto a cotton ball, makeup remover pad, or wash cloth and gently wipe the moist pad on your face. You don’t need to rinse it off afterwards. Simply pat your face dry with a clean cloth and apply your favorite natural face serum, moisturizer, and eye cream for extra hydration.

Can you use micellar water to remove makeup?

You can use micellar water to remove most makeup. If you’re wearing heavy foundation or waterproof mascara, you may need to wipe it a few times or use a micellar water that’s specifically designed to remove waterproof makeup, such as Curology’s Micellar Makeup Remover.