NOTE: I first reviewed the Garnier Micellar Water in 2014, after using it for two weeks. I then switched to another makeup remover, giving this one to a friend. After all of the hype this year, I repurchased and used for two weeks before having a terrible breakout. At this point, I decided to rewrite my review. When I first used the product in 2014 I had acne, so would not have attributed this product to it.
I have used the ZA cleansing oil to remove makeup for years. It is quick, easy and effective. When my ZA cleansing oil ran out recently (believe me, I usually have backups) I didn’t want to go into town especially for it, so I picked up the Garnier Micellar water at the supermarket. The Garnier Micellar water is used by soaking cotton pads and then wiping these over the face. This totally pulls the makeup off my face, foundation, mascara, eyeliner and all. No scratching or scrubbing, no cleanser splashed into my eyes, and no sticky residue. It does take five or six cotton pads to remove my full face of makeup, so it isn’t an environmentally friendly way to remove makeup. I then follow up with a double cleanse using my Lancome cleanser.
The Garnier Micellar water didn’t irritate my eyes and I was under the impression that it was virtually just water, so I wasn’t concerned about the ingredients affecting my skin. My skin is usually very clear, with no more than two small blemishes at a time. Within a week of using this product, I had a major break out. I had at least six large blemishes around my chin, as well as small bumps over the rest of my face. I was guttered, as my skin scars for a long time and I had invested a lot of time, care and money into getting my skin to a blemish and acne scarring free state. I had introduced other products into my routine at the same time, including a foundation, so the Garnier Micellar water didn’t ring alarm bells and I continued to use it for another week. After seeing a post on Instagram regarding the Garnier Micellar water and break outs, I immediately stopped using it. From that point I had no further blemishes, however the ones that it caused are taking very long time to heal. Due to the high number of girls that have broken out from this product, I do not recommend it to anyone, and have returned to my ZA cleansing oil.
I've been using this for the past two months nightly to remove my makeup. I soak a cotton pad and apply to my face. It removes all makeup including mascara and foundation.
When I have a full face of makeup, I find that I need to use more than one cotton pad with the cleansing water, until the cotton pad remains clear.
I like the way it makes my skin feel afterwards, it is not slightly greasy. It makes my skin feel really clean, and ready to be toned and moisturised.
This product has saved me a lot of time and effort in my nightly routine, and will continue to purchase this product.