Review | Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Despite my love for Boots Botanics All Bright Micellar Cleansing Water, I am too much of a restless spirit to stick with one product for long, hence my picking up a bottle of Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water to try a few weeks ago! Now I know there's a fair amount of controversy around micellar waters so I'll start by making it very clear; I don't agree that a micellar water is sufficient as a cleanser and I certainly wouldn't want to depend on the one product alone to clean my face. However, I do think they have their place within a good skincare routine, and I like using a micellar water to remove my make-up before I do a proper double-cleanse.
"Micellar Cleansing Water is an easy way to remove make-up, soothe and hydrate the face, eye are and lips, in 1 step without rinsing. Garnier introduces the Micellar technology in an all-in-one cleanser. Like a magnet, the cleansing agents capture and lift away dirt from the skin. No need to rub to remove impurities and make-up. The result: Perfectly cleansed and refreshed skin without rubbing or rinsing. Micellar Cleansing Water has a soothing and fragrance-free formula that suits all skin types, even sensitive."

So straight off, I'm ignoring half of these claims; I would not for one second recommend using this as an all-in-one cleanser and I'd certainly always rinse afterwards! That aside, I've been using this on a cotton pad of an evening, swept over my face to remove my make-up before moving onto a "proper" cleanse - either oil or cream, followed by a gel cleanser. I'm nothing if not thorough!

I use as suggested on a cotton pad which I wipe over my face, eyes and lips; I can see base product, blusher and eye make-up being removed, although this does struggle with heavy mascara. It doesn't sting my eyes at all which is nice, but I'd use a separate eye make-up remover for heavy eye make-up as this alone won't shift it all.
So, whilst I wouldn't depend on this alone to remove make-up or cleanse my skin, I do think it's a great step in my routine; I can definitely remove the bulk of my make-up with one cotton pad meaning that I just have the last traces to remove with my oil or cream cleanser. There is still product removed with my proper cleanser though, which is why I wouldn't use this as my only cleanser.

I'm not sure that this is a product I'd actively seek out to buy again, as there are so many similar options available these days and I like trying new things; that said, it's a perfectly lovely product for the price and I'd by no means avoid it! This is also really widely available making it an accessible one to try; you can easily pick it up at the supermarket with your weekly shop as well as in the usual drugstores. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is super-reasonably priced at just £4.99 (currently a third off at £3.33 at Boots!) for the huge 400ml bottle, with a smaller 125ml bottle priced at £1.99 (currently just £1!) if you'd like to try a smaller size out or want a more travel-friendly size.

Do you use a micellar water within your skincare routine? Which is your favourite? Do you rate the budget brands like this one, or do I need to try a higher-end micellar water?

xo