Makeup remover is an essential first step in our skincare routine. And of course, we choose which one to buy based on, well, how effectively it removes our makeup.
However, did you know that there are other harmful particles on our skin than just makeup, and that not removing them properly can cause long-term damage to your skin?
In this article, we will tell you why cleansing has to involve more than just removing your makeup and what makes the Bioderma H2O micellar water such a well-loved cleanser. We even test it out on ourselves to see if the product manages to live up to the hype!
Why must a cleanser do more than just removing makeup?
Not everyone who has sensitive skin was born with it. Many people develop skin sensitivity over time after repeated contact with external irritants such as makeup residue, pollutant particles, dirts and other impurities.
These particles, when not removed properly during cleansing, can breed bacteria, clog your pores and disrupt the skin’s protective barrier. The result is increased skin sensitivity where the skin easily gets irritated or inflamed, with symptoms such as itching, swelling or stinging sensations.
Among the possible irritants, pollutant particles are perhaps the biggest culprit that causes skin sensitivity among Singaporeans due to the high amount of toxins in the air that we come into contact with every day. These include dust, vehicle exhaust as well as volatile organic compounds from harmful chemicals. When these particles react with our skin molecules, excess free radicals are produced, weakening our skin cells and disrupting the function of the skin’s protective barrier.
That’s why cleansing should not only involve removing your makeup. A good cleanser has to be able to effectively remove impurities and pollutant particles from your skin to maintain the skin’s barrier function and avoid sensitising it further.
Bioderma H2O Micellar Waters
Invented in 1995, the Bioderma Sensibio H2O micellar water is the very first micellar water created and until this day, it remains one of the best-selling micellar waters in the market. In Singapore, the Bioderma Sensibio H2O micellar water is the #1* makeup remover, well-loved for its highly effective formula specially created to be safe for sensitive skin.
Besides the original Sensibio H2O for sensitive skin, Bioderma offers two other variants: Hydrabio (for dehydrated sensitive skin) and Sebium (for combination or oily skin). Do note that while the Sensibio H2O and Hydrabio H2O are safe to use on the eyes and lips area, the Sebium H2O is not, as it is designed to treat oily skin and the skin around your eyes and lips doesn’t have oil glands.
What is micellar water and how does it work?
Micellar water contains purified water and a mild surfactant whose molecules group together to form micelles and attract dirt and oil on your skin.
When you wipe a cotton pad soaked in micellar water across your skin, these micelles will trap and pull out the dirt and oil, effectively cleansing your skin.
Not all micellar waters, however, are created equal. Depending on what surfactants are used in the formula, some micellar waters can cause irritation or allergic reaction, especially on sensitive skin, but not the Bioderma H2O micellar waters.
Why is the Bioderma Sensibio H2O micellar water so well-loved?
Effectively deep cleanses the surface of the skin
The Bioderma Sensibio H2O micellar water thoroughly deep cleanses the skin at night to remove all makeup, pollution particles and products of skin’s biological functions (sebum, dead skins, etc) that have accumulated on the skin throughout the day. It is able to remove 98%** of fine particles PM1 to PM2.5, which are ultra fine particulate matter with a diameter of 1- 2.5 micrometers, less than 3% of the diameter of a human hair.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water can also be used in the morning to cleanse the skin of toxins released by the skin over night.
High-quality micelles maintain the skin’s barrier
Every makeup remover contains various surfactants, which are the cleansing agent that removes makeup and dirt from the skin. The Bioderma Sensibio H2O micellar water contains a gentle and non-ionic surfactant made up of high-quality micelles that mirror the structure of cellular lipids in the skin. This means that it will not disrupt and damage the skin’s protective film.
Highly purified water prevents the risk of skin irritation
The Bioderma Sensibio H2O micellar water uses a form of highly purified water at pH level 5.5, similar to that of the skin. The highly purified water helps minimise the risk of skin inflammation caused by bacteria.
The formula also contains three types of sugar – Rhamnose, Mannitol, and Fructooligosaccharides, known for their soothing properties, to prevent allergic and inflammatory reactions on the skin.
These ingredients work together to ensure that the Bioderma Sensibio H2O micellar water is safe for sensitive skin, including the eye area.
Bioderma H2O Micellar Waters Review
Seeing is believing. To see if the Bioderma H2O Micellar Waters are as good as their claims sound, the Daily Vanity team has put all three variants of this makeup remover to the test. Let’s find out what our final verdict is!
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Review
Aimee, 26
Skin type: combination-oily, sensitive | Skin concerns: hyperpigmentation, dehydrated skin
Aimee before and after using Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water with two cotton pads for her entire face
Bioderma Sebium H2o Micellar Water Review Before AfterAs someone with sensitive skin, I take cleansing very seriously as my skin will definitely react when I don’t remove my makeup properly. That’s why I was quite skeptical towards micellar waters for the longest time. I just didn’t trust something that looked like water to be able to thoroughly remove my makeup.
However, the Bioderma Sensibio H2O has proven me wrong. This plain-looking water removes my makeup like nothing else. I don’t wear waterproof makeup often precisely because it is such a pain to remove. I usually have to rub my cleansing oil all over my eyes to get all of the mascara off, which often stings my eyes and makes my vision blurred.
With the Bioderma Sensibio H2O, I just need to swipe a cotton pad soaked in the product across my eyes a few times to take off mascara and eyeliner. I wish I’d discovered this sooner!
I also use this micellar water in the morning to clean and refresh the skin so that it can absorb my skincare products better. I find that it is less drying compared to washing my face with water.
I would highly recommend this product to anyone looking for an effective makeup remover, especially those with sensitive skin. You will never need another makeup remover.
Bioderma Hydrabio H2O Review
Kristen Juliet, 35
Skin type: combination-dry | Skin concerns: dehydrated, dull-looking skin
Kristen before and after using Bioderma Hydrabio H2O Micellar Water with two cotton pads for her entire face.
I have always been a big fan of cleansing oils to remove my makeup at night as I find them easy to use and able to clean my face thoroughly even with waterproof makeup, which are the reasons why I’ve been using this format for many years now.
However, after trying out the Bioderma Hydrabio H2O, I’ve been totally converted by this product. It’s able to thoroughly remove my waterproof makeup without leaving a stinging feeling on the eyes or make the skin feel oily like cleansing oils sometimes do. I also appreciate that the product is fragrance-free, as artificial fragrances sometimes irritate my skin.
As I usually use this micellar water at night to remove my makeup, I find that I wake up to skin that feels more hydrated, which is a huge plus for my dehydrated skin. It also doesn’t cause any redness but, instead, leaves my skin feeling soothed and relieved.
I recommend this product for daily use, especially for those who have done semi-permanent makeup like brow embroidery. It’s generally better to use a water-based than an oil-based product after the treatment if you want to keep the results for a longer time.
Bioderma Sebium H2O Review
Vivian, 24
Skin type: combination-oily, sensitive | Skin concerns: acne, dull-looking skin
Vivian before and after using Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Water with one cotton pad for the entire face (except the eyes and lips area)
Finding the right makeup remover for combination-oily and sensitive skin like mine is very tricky. I have tried many micellar waters that are other people’s holy grails but were greasy and ended up clogging my pores, causing breakouts. That’s why I was quite surprised to see that the Bioderma Sebium H2O actually worked very well.
I wear waterproof makeup every day so it’s important that a makeup remover has to be able to remove it completely, which is what the Bioderma Sebium H2O does. I only need to use one cotton pad to remove my waterproof face makeup without having to rub very hard.
Other than how effective it is to remove my makeup, one of my favourite things about this micellar water is how refreshing it feels. It doesn’t dry out my skin like many products for oily skin tend to do, but makes my skin feel very clean and hydrated. It has a mild fragrance, but surprisingly the scent doesn’t bother me or irritate my skin.
Overall, I’m very happy to find a makeup remover that works like a dream on oily and sensitive skin. I would definitely recommend the Bioderma Sebium H2O to people with similar skin type as mine.
The Bioderma Sensibio, Hydrabio and Sebium H2O Micellar Waters retail for SGD41.90 (500ml), available at Guardian Health & Beauty, Robinsons, Unity, Watsons, Welcia-BHG and LazMall Official Store.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water is getting brand new looks with three limited-edition bottle designs carrying the slogan: “Your skin deserves respect”. Get yours now at the above retailers!
*In sales volume on Nielsen Retail Data, MAT Aug 2018.
**Evaluation of anti-pollution efficacy, test on 12 volunteers. CIREC France 2017
This article was brought to you by Bioderma.
