by HOLLY CRAWFORD

If you don’t have micellar water in your skincare routine, it might be time to give it a try. A revolutionary product when it was launched by French skincare company Bioderma in 1991, it was quickly coveted for its ability to cleanse, purify skin and remove makeup in a single step, without any of the stripping and drying effects from cleansing with a traditional cleanser and water.

What makes micellar water different than regular water or thermal water? These specialized cleansing formulas contain micelles, a complex structure composed of non-ionic surfactants in the form of an invisible microsphere. Ok, that was a bit science-y, but basically it means the product looks and feels like water, but it attracts dirt, oil and makeup like a magnet and leaves your skin soft and refreshed.

Here are some of our favourites, including the original.

Clarins Cleansing Micellar Water

French skincare brand Clarins recently launched a revamped lineup of cleansers including a Cleansing Micellar Water infused with lemon balm and yellow gentian (a flowering herb). The purity of the Alps was always an inspiration for Jacques Courtin-Clarins, the founder of the Clarins brand. He developed a range of gentle facial cleansers containing Alpine herbs and gentian in 1967. These natural ingredients are not only effective, but also proved to be good for the skin. Today, Clarins grows and harvests their 100 per cent organic Alpine herb blend at their own “Domaine Clarins.” This gentle complex creates a micellar cleanser that soothes, calms and softens even the most sensitive skin while removing impurities. $38 for 200mL. clarins.ca