Simple Skincare's Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water is the Ultimate Refresh

We put Simple Skincare Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

If you didn’t know any better, Simple Skincare Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water might just seem like pure water packaged as a skincare product. And while it doesn’t seem like much more than what you get from the faucet, the water in this case is micellar water, a type of cleanser that’s popular for its ability to clean skin easily without irritation—or even the need for a sink.

Could something as simple as this actually clean my skin? I switched up my usual cleansing routine to see if the Simple Skincare Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water would leave my face fresh and clean.

About My Skin: Likes a traditional cleanser

I prefer to wash my face the traditional way: over the sink with the soap of my choice. In the past, I’ve found other methods, like makeup remover wipes, never left my skin feeling truly clean. This micellar water seemed like just another version of those wipes, so I was curious to see if it would take off my makeup. 

Usually, my cleanser of choice is the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil to remove makeup and sunscreen, followed by Cerave Hydrating Cleanser. I skipped the cleansing oil in favor of this cleansing water. 

The Feel: Like water

The cleansing water looks like exactly that: water. When it comes to the other senses, it acts a lot like water, too. It has the same viscosity as water, there’s no scent, and all signs point to it being no more than standard H2O (although there’s much more to it, which I’ll explain next).

The Results: Cleans skin and clears makeup

The brand recommends using a cotton pad to apply the cleanser and wipe away anything on the skin, but because I like to use reusable products, I used a cotton washcloth. The cleansing water can be squeezed out of the bottle without much spillage, and I used just enough to saturate a small area of the washcloth before using it to wipe off my makeup.

Despite my hesitation to use makeup remover wipes and similar non-soap cleansers, I found the Simple Skincare Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water comes as close to a regular face wash as it can. It removed my tinted moisturizer and mascara quickly without rubbing. 

My skin felt different than it does after I wash my face with my usual cleanser and water. I felt like the micellar water had left behind something faint on my skin, like a small amount of moisturizer. The formula contains vitamins and is designed to boost skin hydration, so this may be some of those moisturizing agents that are left on the skin. I prefer how my face feels after a normal wash, but I think the Simple Skincare Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water would be a great way to remove makeup before cleansing, or as a quick alternative to cleansing when I need something quick and easy.

It’s important to note how micellar water works in the first place. Debra Luftman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, tells Byrdie that micellar water contains micelles, which are small particles that trap oil, dirt, and makeup. You can use micellar water as I did, as a makeup remover, but you can also use it to completely replace your cleanser, or use it as a toner after cleansing to be sure you’ve removed every speck of makeup and dirt.

The Value: Affordable

At around $5, it’s one of the most affordable cleansers available. The bottle is large enough to last at least a month depending on how often you use it and how much you use at a time (for someone like me who doesn’t use it everyday, it will last months and months). High-end micellar waters can go for as much as nearly $100 for the same size (like La Mer). So for the price and quality, the Simple Skincare Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water is a steal.

Similar Products: You’ve got options

CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water ($13): CeraVe’s micellar water is another drugstore option. Unlike the Simple Skincare micellar water, it includes hydrating ceramides. It’s also fragrance free. It’s more expensive than Simple’s, although it may be worth a try if you’d like to experiment with which works best for your skin type.

Drunk Elephant E-Rase™ Milki Micellar Water ($28): For extra hydration in a micellar water cleanser, try this option from Drunk Elephant. The cleanser has ceramides to soothe and to prevent water loss, and wild melon seed oil to provide antioxidants and fatty acids to skin. It costs more for a slightly larger bottle.