6 Best Micellar Waters in the Philippines 2024 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Dermatologist
Cleansing the face is, without a doubt, one of the essential steps in any skincare routine, and one of the easiest ways to do it is with good micellar water. Whether you wear heavy, minimal, or no makeup at all, it can cleanse off all the oil, grime, and dirt that has built up on your skin without stripping it of moisture.
With all the new products popping up, it's hard to know which ones are worth spending your money on. Well, worry no more. In our buying guide, we will list some of the things you need to look for in micellar waters. We also asked for some comments and tips from dermatologist Dr. Aznaida L. Tawagon-Pandapatan.
Quick List - Top Micellar Waters
Avène
Nourish and Hydrate Your Sensitive Skin With This Cleanser's Soothing Properties
Graduated Dermatology Residency from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), Dr. Aznaida L. Tawagon-Pandapatan is a Fellow of the Philippine Dermatological Society. She is the co-founder of Pandapatan Dermatology Clinic in Marawi City. She is also a part-time faculty of Xavier University-JPRSM in Cagayan de Oro. She is passionate about skin health and skincare, and dreams of world peace.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- Micellar vs Toner: Is There a Difference?
- How to Use Micellar Water - Tips From Our Expert, Dr. Aznaida L. Tawagon-Pandapatan
- Frequently Asked Questions
- When to Use Micellar Water?
- Can Micellar Water Replace My Regular Cleanser?
- Complete the Steps in Your Skincare Routine
- How We Chose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
Micellar vs Toner: Is There a Difference?
Micellar water and toner are often used interchangeably and are thought to have the same functions. However, they have distinct differences in their composition and purpose.
Micellar water is a cleanser, and cleansing with micellar water is a one-step process to clean your face without stripping off your natural oils. It contains tiny micelles that act as magnets to attract dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin. Toner, on the other hand, is a liquid solution used after cleansing. Its function is to balance the skin's pH level, hydrate, and/or exfoliate the skin.
Micellar water consists basically of “micelles dispersed in water.” Micelles are aggregates of amphiphilic compounds - these are substances with both hydrophilic (water-loving) and lipophilic (oil-loving) properties.
The most common ingredients that function as “cleansers” in micellar waters are the surfactants like caprylic or capric glycerides, sorbitan oleate, hexylene glycol, and many others.
How to Choose a Micellar Water – Buying Guide
Read on to know more about how to score the best micellar water for you!
Choose Based on Your Skin Type
While micellar water is ideal for all skin types, sometimes, we need a product that can address our specific needs. Good thing there are micellar water products formulated to address the needs of different skin types. If you’re looking for products made for your skin type, here are the things you need to consider.
For Oily Skin: Look for Micellar Water With Salicylic Acid or Tea Tree Oil
If you have oily skin, you'll want micellar water that can effectively remove excess oil without stripping your skin of its natural oils. To ensure your skin looks hydrated without being too oily, get micellar water with ingredients that are oily-skin friendly. Look for products that contain salicylic acid, zinc, witch hazel, or tea tree oil. These ingredients will help control oil production and prevent breakouts.
If you have oily, acne-prone skin, look for ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide, and zinc. Avoid ingredients such as essential oils since many of these are irritating to the already inflamed skin of people with acne.
Also, avoid products with coconut oil, the lauric acid component of coconut oil, although said to have antibacterial effects, is found to be comedogenic and is thus ideally avoided in acne-prone skin.
For Dry Skin: Look for Hydrating Ingredients Like Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerin
While the cold or dry weather could be the cause of your skin type, it's not always the case. Too much sun exposure can also cause dryness. Even the soap you're using can dry your skin! If you have dry skin, you'll want to get micellar water that not only cleanses your skin but also hydrates it.
Make sure to get one with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, as these are great at sealing in the moisture on your skin so it stays plump and hydrated. You'll also want to avoid drying ingredients like salicylic acid.
If you have dry skin, you will benefit from moisturizers to avoid the skin from drying out and getting irritated. Look for moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, stearyl alcohols, plant oils like argan oil, squalane, glycerin, sorbitol, urea, butylene glycol, amino acids, pentylene glycol, argan oil, and others.
Do avoid drying ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acids, benzoic acids, SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol.
For Sensitive Skin: Check if the Product Has Gentle and Soothing Ingredients
As mentioned earlier, choosing a micellar water brand can be daunting because of many options. And it’s even more challenging if you have sensitive skin.
When buying micellar water for sensitive skin, ensure it’s gentle and soothes your skin. Also, use micellar water with ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, green tea, and niacinamide, as they can calm your skin and prevent irritation. Better yet, do a patch test to ensure you get the right product for your sensitive skin.
If you have sensitive skin, go for products with soothing or anti-inflammatory ingredients to help your skin calm down. Ingredients such as aloe vera, argan oil, bisabolol, chamomile, cucumber, green tea, niacinamide, and zinc help soothe skin inflammation. For sensitive skin, it is a must to do a proper patch test prior to using the product on your face.
Avoid Fragrances, Essential Oils, or Alcohol, and Look for Purified or Spring Water
Fragrances and essential oils can irritate the skin, especially sensitive skin, and can cause redness, itching, or dryness. Alcohol, on the other hand, can be drying and damaging to the skin's natural barrier, leading to irritation and inflammation.
When buying micellar water, get one that uses purified or spring water as its base formula. Purified or spring water is gentle and hydrating, making it ideal for cleansing and nourishing the skin without causing dryness or irritation.
10 Best Micellar Waters to Buy Online
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for | Other Beneficial Ingredients | Alcohol-Free | Fragrance-Free | Volume | |||||
1 | Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Solution | | A Crowd Favorite for Removing Waterproof Makeup | All Skin Types | Glycerol Ester, Cucumber Extract | unknown | unknown | 500 ml | |
2 | Garnier Micellar Water Pink | | An Affordable Option That Works Well Even With the Most Sensitive Skin | Sensitive Skin | Hyaluronic Acid, Salicylic Acid | unknown | unknown | 125 ml | |
3 | Avène Micellar Lotion | | Nourish and Hydrate Your Sensitive Skin With This Cleanser's Soothing Properties | All Skin Types | Thermal Water | unknown | unknown | 200 ml | |
4 | Nivea MicellAIR Acne Clear 3-in-1 Cleanser | | Fight Acne with Anti-Inflammatory Properties | Acne-Prone Skin | Magnolia Bark Extract | unknown | unknown | 200 ml | |
5 | Céleteque DermoScience Hydration Micellar Water | | Budget-Friendly Micellar Water That Soothes and Hydrates Skin | Dry and Sensitive Skin | NMF, Chamomile Extract | unknown | unknown | 250 ml | |
6 | Pond's Vitamin Micellar Water | | Revitalize Your Skin and Keep it Bright and Radiant | Combination | French Rose Extract, Vitamins A, B3, B5, C, and E | unknown | unknown | 100 ml | |
A Crowd Favorite for Removing Waterproof Makeup
There's a reason why many professional makeup artists use and highly recommend this brand. It is an oil-free cleanser that can remove even waterproof makeup without much struggle and skin-tugging. The formula also doesn't have alcohol or fragrance, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Moreover, it contains cucumber extracts and glycerol ester, which help regulate sebum production and eliminate impurities. Several users of this product have also been enjoying how it leaves their skin feeling soft and refreshed. They also rave about how good it is at removing makeup, considering how gentle it is.
| Best for | All Skin Types |
|---|---|
| Other Beneficial Ingredients | Glycerol Ester, Cucumber Extract |
| Alcohol-Free | unknown |
| Fragrance-Free | unknown |
| Volume | 500 ml |
An Affordable Option That Works Well Even With the Most Sensitive Skin
Garnier's Micellar Water proves you don't need to break the bank for a high-quality skincare product. Despite being budget-friendly, it is highly effective in removing makeup, dirt, and oil. It also doesn't have alcohol, fragrance, parabens, sulfate, or oil, making it gentle even for sensitive skin.
Since this product is lightweight, it doesn't leave a sticky feeling and is easily absorbed by the skin. Reviewers say that, with only one swipe, it makes the skin feel refreshed and revitalized instantly. For those with an oily skin type, the brand also offers another variant formulated for that skin type.
| Best for | Sensitive Skin |
|---|---|
| Other Beneficial Ingredients | Hyaluronic Acid, Salicylic Acid |
| Alcohol-Free | unknown |
| Fragrance-Free | unknown |
| Volume | 125 ml |
Nourish and Hydrate Your Sensitive Skin With This Cleanser's Soothing Properties
It's formulated with minimal ingredients and is alcohol-free, too. For this reason, this micellar water is perfect for all skin types, but most especially dry and sensitive skin. However, some users advised using it as a pre-cleanser, especially if your skin is severely sensitive.
| Best for | All Skin Types |
|---|---|
| Other Beneficial Ingredients | Thermal Water |
| Alcohol-Free | unknown |
| Fragrance-Free | unknown |
| Volume | 200 ml |
Fight Acne with Anti-Inflammatory Properties
If you suffer from acne due to oil build-up or clogged pores, then this is a product worth checking out. It contains magnolia bark extracts that act as an anti-inflammatory agent. This ingredient increases resistance to external stressors and prevents new acne from forming.
It also gently removes dirt, oil, and makeup while leaving your skin soft, smooth, and hydrated. Reviewers love this product for its cleaning power and its refreshing feeling after a day of wearing heavy makeup. They felt that their skin could finally breathe!
| Best for | Acne-Prone Skin |
|---|---|
| Other Beneficial Ingredients | Magnolia Bark Extract |
| Alcohol-Free | unknown |
| Fragrance-Free | unknown |
| Volume | 200 ml |
Budget-Friendly Micellar Water That Soothes and Hydrates Skin
It also has chamomile extracts, which effectively soothe skin inflammation and irritation. Many users with sensitive skin highly recommend this product, as it effectively removes waterproof makeup and even matte lipstick without causing breakouts.
| Best for | Dry and Sensitive Skin |
|---|---|
| Other Beneficial Ingredients | NMF, Chamomile Extract |
| Alcohol-Free | unknown |
| Fragrance-Free | unknown |
| Volume | 250 ml |
Revitalize Your Skin and Keep it Bright and Radiant
This micellar water by Pond's gives you more than just cleansing and hydration. Since it's formulated with five essential vitamins - vitamins A, B3, B5, C, and E, it promises to brighten your skin in just a week and instantly give you a radiant glow.
Thanks to its organic natural French roses that deeply cleanse, each swipe lifts dirt and impurities effectively, leaving you with rejuvenated skin. It is also enhanced with a refreshingly sweet floral scent. Moreover, users love its effectiveness in removing waterproof makeup and its fast brightening power.
| Best for | Combination |
|---|---|
| Other Beneficial Ingredients | French Rose Extract, Vitamins A, B3, B5, C, and E |
| Alcohol-Free | unknown |
| Fragrance-Free | unknown |
| Volume | 100 ml |
How to Use Micellar Water - Tips From Our Expert, Dr. Aznaida L. Tawagon-Pandapatan
・Micellar water contains surfactants and other components that could be irritating if left on the skin. Thus it's important to do a second cleanse with a mild cleanser. I would not recommend this to be the only cleansing regimen for those who have acne-prone& sensitive skin.
・Do a patch test prior to using a new product. Even if you don't have sensitive skin, there can still be a possibility of an allergic reaction from any of the ingredients.
・It is best to start with your eye area and wipe gently. Never tug on the thin skin around your eyes. If you prefer starting on your cheeks (or other parts of your face), do not use this soiled cotton pad on your eye area too. Use a new soaked pad instead—this is to avoid eye infections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
When to Use Micellar Water?
Can Micellar Water Replace My Regular Cleanser?
Complete the Steps in Your Skincare Routine
Properly cleansing your face of all the day's built-up oils and dirt should not be the last step in your skincare routine. Check out these articles to find the perfect product for each step!
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Re-editor: Anna Aquino
How We Chose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
Top 5 Micellar Waters
No. 1: Bioderma｜Sensibio H2O Micellar Solution
No. 2: Garnier ｜Micellar Water Pink
No. 3: Avène ｜Micellar Lotion
No. 4: Nivea｜MicellAIR Acne Clear 3-in-1 Cleanser
No. 5: Céleteque｜DermoScience Hydration Micellar Water
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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