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Whether you’ve never tried micellar water, or you’re already a convert (like me), I can confidently say it is a gentle, effective and easy way to remove makeup, grease and, urm, dirt.
This article features some high street brands along with some LOVELY independent retailers. What I love about the independent products is that they are more natural (and kinder to your skin), better packaged (no plastic), and by buying them you are supporting a small business.
All of these are available to buy online, so, go on, treat yourself…
What’s on this page?
- Typology: 7 Ingredient Micellar Water
- Flawless: Aloe and Lavendar Micellar Water
- isla rosa: Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera and Blueberry Micellar Water
- Lumene: Pure Arctic Miracle 3-in-1
- B. Pure (Superdrug) Micellar Wipes
- My Skin Matters (Sainsbury’s): Micellar Water
- Simple: Kind to Skin Cleansing Water
- Garnier: Organic Cornflower Micellar Water
Typology 7-Ingredient Micellar Water
Introducing the new kids on the block, and the best kids on the block. Or the best micellar water on the block, rather.
This cruelty free and vegan micellar water from typology is clean (only seven ingredients, the name is a giveaway), effective, beautifully packaged and just an all round good buy. It removes makeup like a dream, and your skin is left feeling fresh and cleansed.
At £12.80 it’s on the more expensive side (shipping can be a bit stingy too), but it really is the best.
It cuts through grease and oil, but isn’t harsh on the skin, quite the opposite. A true gem of a micellar water for even the most sensitive skin.
- £12.80
- Key ingredients: Citric acid, glycerin, purified water (unperfumed)
- Skin type: all
- Sustainability: Plastic bottle (recyclable) and the product ships from France
Flawless Aloe and Lavender Micellar Water
Wearth do the refill option, which we highly recommend.
This micellar water by Flawless is another gem (I also recommend their Rose and Lavender toner too). It is really effective, yet gentle and good for stubborn eye makeup too. It only contains 10 ingredients, much less than high-street brands.
The packaging is zero waste, and you’re supporting an independent business when you buy it.
The only slight downside is that the biggest size they do is 100ml, which isn’t huge and it does smell quite strongly of lavender – which is nice before bed, but could be a bit much if you don’t like that scent!
- £4.95
- Key ingredients: aloe & lavender – naturally scented
- Skin type: All – except if you have oil sensitivity
- Sustainability: Zero-waste – recycled glass bottle and recycled aluminium lid). Ships from UK
If you love the product, grab the refill option too!
isla rosa Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera and Blueberry Micellar Water
Another effective and gentle micellar water from independent UK-based company isla rosa.
This micellar water only has six ingredients and is really beautifully packaged (if you’re like me and like everything in your bathroom to look nice, then this is important). It contains witch hazel, so I recommend it for anyone with break-outs.
- £6 – 18
- Key ingredients: aloe vera, witch hazel and blueberry
- Skin type: suitable for all – suits sensitive and delicate skin
- Sustainability: plastic-free product and company – glass bottle, aluminium top and ships from the UK
It’s not the cheapest, but it comes in a few different sizes and you pay extra for quality, freshness and independence. Micellar water is the only product isla rosa does, and they do it well.
Lumene Pure Arctic Miracle 3-in-1 Micellar Cleansing Water
Lumene is a Finnish company and boast that Nordic women are ‘fresh-faced, radiant and healthy-looking’ – lucky them!
While I wouldn’t say I look like the fresh-faced women on their website after I use this product, it is a really good micellar water, which doesn’t require any rinsing/cleansing afterwards.
- €9.90
- Key ingredients: pure arctic spring water & organic birch sap
- Skin type: all
- Sustainability: Not plastic-free. Ships from Finland
The natural nordic ingredients: birch sap and spring water make this product feel really premium and are excellent for nourishing dry skin.
B. Pure (Superdrug) Micellar Cleansing Wipes
Superdrug discontinued their B. Pure micellar water, which is sad. But they have created these micellar wipes, which are much gentler and more effective than ‘normal’ makeup remover wipes.
This is a good ‘cupboard’ product – useful to take on holiday, or to use in case you run out of your usual micellar water.
- £1.49
- Key ingredients: no standout ingredients, not perfumed
- Skin type: All
- Sustainability: Not great – not plastic or chemical-free
My Skin Matters (Sainsbury’s) Micellar Water – Best on a Budget
I found this micellar water by accident – but glad I did! If you have a Sainsbury’s near you, then this micellar water is worth a buy.
All of Sainsbury’s cosmetic products are cruelty free, and excellent value. It’s not as natural, or as effective as the others on this list, but it does the job.
- £2
- Key ingredients: no standout ingredients
- Skin types: All
- Sustainability: Not plastic or chemical-free
Simple: Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water
It’s not always been clear whether Simple has been cruelty free. But it has now been officially labelled as cruelty free by PETA!
Which is a relief, as it makes buying micellar water on the high street, or in supermarkets much easier. This no-frills micellar water has good nourishing ingredients, and avoids harsh chemicals. Suitable for all skin types!
- £4.39
- Skin types: All
- Key ingredients: vitamin B3, vitamin C and triple purified water
- Sustainability: Not plastic-free, but made from 100% recycled plastic
Garnier: Organic Cornflower Micellar Water (now cruelty free!)
Garnier officially became certified by Cruelty Free International in 2021. So that means all of its micellar water range is cruelty free, but this micellar water is the only one in the UK labelled as vegan. It shouldn’t be long until the whole range is vegan (we hope!).
- £4.42
- Skin type: All
- Key ingredients: organic cornflower water, organic barley water and botanical glycerin
- Sustainability: Not plastic-free, but made from 100% recycled plastic and the bottle is recyclable
Wrap up: the best vegan and cruelty free micellar water
Buying cruelty free isn’t hard these days. But I have genuinely struggled with micellar water. I hope this list gives you some good alternatives and you can wipe away makeup (and the rest) knowing no animals have been harmed in the process.
How do we create this list?
Through a lot of product testing and product analysis, but to be more specific, all products featured in our list had to be:
– Cruelty free, either certified by PETA or via a cruelty free guarantee
– Vegan. While not all the brands are vegan, all the products featured here are
– Used by me. I have used them all so I can give some personal insight, rather than just regurgitating marketing materials from the brands themselves (although all of the marketing is truly excellent, which is why I bought them in the first place!)
– Affordable. We haven’t featured anything truly outrageous. We also have a mix of small, independent and large retailers.
Cruelty free micellar water FAQs
The Body Shop, Superdrug own brand, Sainsbury’s own brand, Marks and Spencers own brand, Flawless, isla rose, Lumene, Typology, Glossier, Simple, Garnier. Always read the label to check which products are vegan (all products featured in our article above are vegan)
L’oreal, La Roche Posay
No micellar water isn’t bad. In fact, for the vast majority of us it is a great way to gently and effectively remove dirt or grime. It suits oilier skin more than dry skin, and for those prone to break-outs, it can be worth splashing your face with water after application.
Yes they do. Micellar water is a universally-friendly product for almost all skin types. Even if you are prone to breakouts, it likely will have no adverse effects.
Generally not. While you can purchase micellar water that is antibacterial, it is generally neither antibacterial nor anti-inflammatory.
So it doesn’t always treat acne at the bacterial source. But the hydration it provides helps to decrease oil gland activity which can be helpful for acne.
Which micellar waters are cruelty free?
