Micellar Solutions 101

Perhaps one of the biggest hypes to hit the blogging world, and with that big pink-topped Bioderma Sensibo H20 bottle as its cover girl, the micellar water trend has been a hard one to miss. Loved by models, makeup artists, and beauty editors worldwide, I’ve been a convert ever since I opened my first bottle, soaked a cotton pad, and removed a face full of makeup easy peasy.

Removing makeup is definitely my least favourite part of my skincare routine, but using a micellar water made me see it in a whole new light. It’s much quicker and easier, incredibly effective, and really really gentle when compared with your bog-standard makeup remover or (shudder) wipes. Micellar solution is so named because of the micelle oil molecules which make up its formula. These latch onto the dirt, impurities, and makeup on your skin and lift them away gently but effectively. Despite this, it’s important to remember that a micellar solution is essentially more makeup remover than cleanser, and should not be used on its own. Follow it up with a general cleanser (I like to use a cream or balm), for a deeper cleanse as well as to provide additional toning, moisturising, and blemish battling benefits not offered by a micellar solution.

Following in the wake of the Bioderma hype, recent months have seen high street brands like L’Oreal and Garnier release affordable and accessible alternatives to the French favourite. I’ve given these a try and whilst they work just fine, I found that they weren’t quite as effective or gentle on my skin as Bioderma is. A little less publicised within the blogging world but well-deserving of a mention are the micellar waters released by brands which stand on a par with Bioderma - fellow French pharmacy favourites Avene, Vichy, and La Roche Posay, and German skincare giant Eucerin all have micellar waters within their ranks.

Bioderma holds its cult status for good reason. Of all the solutions that I’ve tried it’s not only the most effective but also has the gentlest formula (something that for a sensitive-skinned and sensitive-eyed gal like me is a big plus). Unlike other (cheaper) solutions it doesn’t leave my skin with a tight, itchy feeling, doesn’t give me any redness or blotchiness, and doesn’t leave an oily residue on the surface of my skin. And my skin itself is always in a noticeably better condition when Bioderma is my go-to makeup remover.

I’ve recently been trialling Eucerin’s DermatoClean Micellar Cleansing Fluid* - like Bioderma a clear, odour-free, solution which looks just like water in the bottle. I found its capabilities to be on a par with Bioderma’s. It removes makeup incredibly effectively, a little goes a long way, and it leaves my skin feeling calm and refreshed. My only issue? It’s not quite as effective or gentle when it comes to removing eye makeup. I found myself reaching for a squirt of Bioderma in order to get rid of any pesky mascara residue, and to avoid the slight sting which I found Eucerin gave when used on my eyes. I’d repurchase, but only if Bioderma disappeared from the face of the earth. The legend lives on…

Both Eucerin and Bioderma's micellar solutions are currently on sale on escentual.com (along with the rest of your French pharmacy favourites), so head on over for some bargains!

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*PR sample