Review: Avène Micellar Cleansing Lotion

Micellar cleansing waters have literally revolutionalised the way I remove my makeup. I always double cleanse at night and micellar lotions are the perfect second cleanse in my routine.

I love Avène. It’s an amazing brand and their products have done wonders for my skin recently so I had really high hopes for the Avène Micellar Lotion*. As with all Avène products, this micellar water is made using silica rich Avène Thermal Spring Water. It’s suitable for sensitive skin and removes makeup without irritating or altering the skin’s natural protective barrier.

Now honestly speaking this isn’t the best micellar water I’ve tried. It really doesn’t budge stubborn eye makeup and if like me you wear a medium/full coverage foundation then this won’t get remove it in its entirety. And this is me speaking after already washing my face, I’d hate to imagine what it’d be like if this was the only product I used to remove my makeup.

However it’s not all bad news. Although it doesn’t perform well as a makeup remover, it makes the perfect toner. It’s gentle and hydrating and makes my skin feel plump and refreshed after I use it. Since my skin is so unpredictable it’s important that I don’t use anything too strong in the morning and this is gentle but effective so gets a thumbs up from me.

Avène Micellar Lotion is available to buy from Boots, priced at £12.50/200ml. Have you tried this cleansing water before?

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Battle of the Micellar Cleansing Waters

Micellar waters have honestly revolutionalised my makeup removal. They’re gentle, but very effective and remove even the most stubborn mascara and eyeliner.

Bioderma Sensibo H2O

This micellar was the first I tried and definitely the reason I’m hooked. Some love it, some loathe it – but for me I’m firmly on the fence. Don’t get me wrong, I like it. But I don’t love it. I’ve never had the ‘irritated eye’ that some complain off, but it’s not the first that I reach for.

Available in 250ml & 500ml bottles. Hard to buy I the UK (although things are rapidly on the change) but this eBay seller comes recommended.

  

Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals

This is the newest micellar in my collection and I’m really loving it. Leaves my face feeling very clean and makeup free – and none of the dreaded drag on the stubborn eye makeup. I was quite disappointed that there aren’t pieces of rose petal in it, although I suppose that’d make it problematic when using it around the eye area. I’d definitely recommend this over the Bioderma!

Available in 200ml bottles. Currently on sale at Ecsentual.com for £9.57.

Etat Pur Micellar Cleansing Water

Reviewed here, I’m in love with this micellar. Affordable and effective – what more could you ask for? In comparison with the Bioderma, I found it to be slightly less effective at removing my makeup – swipe for swipe. But weirdly I do prefer it.

Available in 200ml bottles, priced at just £6.40 on the Etat Pur website!

Melvita Fresh Micellar Water

I ordered a sample of this from LIB, but I’m not that impressed with it. It’s a great micellar and definitely works as it should, but I don’t love it as much as the others. I really don’t have much to say about it, to be honest. Meh.

Available in 200ml bottles, priced at £15 on the Melvita website, although you can purchase a 35ml sample for £3 on the Latest in Beauty website.

I can’t say which is my favourite, but I definitely lean towards the Etat Pur and the Nuxe – although they’re all definitely good at what they do.

Have you used any of these micellars before?

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