2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
Hydration
Anti-Aging
Avène
Make-Up Removing Micellar Water
face eyes lips neck micellar water
Avène
Make-Up Removing Micellar Water
face eyes lips neck micellar water
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
Dry
50%
Combination (dry)
50%
Balanced
80%
Combination (oily)
90%
Oily
90%
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11
Ingredients
2
Benefits
1
Actives
The Avène Les Essentiel Make-Up Removing Micellar Water is a soothing, high-tolerance formula that gently yet effectively removes makeup, pollutants and impurities – no rinsing required. Ideal for sensitive skin types and contact lens wearers, the alcohol-free cleanser features a blend of plant-based glycerin and trehalose, alongside Avène's Thermal Spring Water ingredient, to help deliver long-lasting hydration to the skin. Its minimalistic composition is designed for enhanced comfort and leaves the complexion with a refreshed, radiant appearance post-cleanse.
Key Insights
Benefits
2
Anti-Aging
Hydration
Active Ingredients
1
AHA
Full Ingredients
11 total
About Make-Up Removing Micellar Water
Overview
Make-Up Removing Micellar Water is a watery-light micellar water from Avène, a brand based in France. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 11 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
Texture and finish
By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Trehalose and Pentylene Glycol, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
What the formula does
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Trehalose, Pentylene Glycol and Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate.
Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Avena Sativa Seed Water.
Cell renewal: Moderate. Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover, and here that comes from Citric Acid.
Who it suits
On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
What it does not target
The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, antioxidant protection, oil control and brightening and tone. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
What is not in it
Reading the full list, the formula is essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free, microplastic-free and sulfate-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging. It does contain fragrance, worth knowing if your skin reacts to any of them.
Where it fits in a routine
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes before moisturiser. Tap along the orbital bone with your ring finger; product migrates upward on its own.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Pros and cons
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Pros
- No essential oils
- No drying alcohol
- Silicone-free
- No microplastics
- Strong humectant content for hydration
- No common irritants flagged in the list
Things to know
- Contains fragrance or declared fragrance allergens
- One ingredient could feed malassezia (fungal acne)
Which skin types it suits
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
Suitable for
- Combination (oily) skin
- Oily skin
May suit
- Balanced skin
Less suitable for
- Dry skin
- Combination (dry) skin
Sensitive skin
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Skin concerns
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Helps with
-
Hydration 5 ingredients
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
-
Anti-Aging 1 ingredient
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Does not target
Anti-Acne
Blackhead Reducing
Dark Spot Fading
Evens Skin Tone
Oil Control
Pore Minimizer
Smooths Bumpy Skin
Soothing
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
Key ingredients
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Hydration
Citric Acid
AHA
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ester of hexaglycerol and caprylic acid
Hydration
10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
alpha-D-Glucopyranoside, alpha-D-glucopyranosyl
Hydration
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Hydration
Formula analysis
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Hydration
High
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Barrier support
None
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Antioxidant support
None
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Oil control
None
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Brightening
None
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Soothing
Moderate
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Cell renewal
Moderate
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Firmness signalling
None
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
Active and supporting ingredients
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Active ingredients (1)
- Citric Acid · 2–10%
Supporting ingredients (10)
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Avena Sativa Seed Water
Glycerin
Pentylene Glycol
Coco-glucoside
Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCL
Parfum
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
Trehalose
Water
What is and is not in it
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Free from
- Essential-oil-free
- No drying alcohol
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Microplastic-free
- Sulfate-free
- Dye-free
- Oil-free
- No animal-derived ingredients
Contains
-
Fragrance
Parfum
What to layer it with
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Compatible with
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
- Retinoids (retinol, retinal)
- AHAs (glycolic, lactic)
- BHA (salicylic acid)
- PHAs (gluconolactone)
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Azelaic acid
- Copper peptides
- Bakuchiol
- Niacinamide
- Hyaluronic acid
- Ceramides
- Signal peptides
- Panthenol
- Sunscreen
Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.
Where it fits in a routine
Morning
Evening
- Cleanse
- Toning
- Eye
- Moisturise
- Protect
This product is the "Eye" step.
- Tap along the orbital bone with your ring finger; product migrates upward on its own.
Safety and suitability
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not clearance — ask your doctor about anything you use daily.
- Fungal acne (malassezia)
- 1 ingredient could feed malassezia: Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate. That is about the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that you will break out.
- Sensitive and reactive skin
- No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Ingredients by function
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 11 ingredients on the label.
4
Solvent
Dissolves and carries everything else
3
Surfactant
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
2
Humectant
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
1
Active
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
1
Fragrance / colour
Changes how the product smells or looks
1
Chelator
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
1
Occlusive
Forms a film that slows water loss
1
pH adjuster
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
1
Preservative
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
1
Texture agent
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Ingredient breakdown
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
- Estimated level
- 30–80%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Solvent
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Avena Sativa Seed Water is an aqueous solution of the steam distillates obtained from the seeds of Avena sativa.
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Humectant, Occlusive, Texture agent, Solvent
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
Hydration
Anti-Aging
6 scientific references
- Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, March 2021, pages 223-231
- International Journal of Toxicology, November/December 2019, Volume 38, Supplement 3, pages 6S-22S
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, August 2016, ePublication
- British Journal of Dermatology, July 2008, pages 23-34
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, June 2007, pages 75-82
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 2003, pages 7, 360-7, 365
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Solvent
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Hydration
4 scientific references
- https://thedermreviewcom/pentylene-glycol/
- Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, July 2017, pages 106-111
- Prospector, June 2015, ePublication
- International Journal of Toxicology, October 2012, pages 147S-168S
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Active, Chelator, pH adjuster
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Surfactant
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Coco-Glucoside is the product obtained by the condensation of coconut alcohol with glucose.
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Preservative
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
N-(1-Oxododecyl)-L-arginine ethyl ester chloride
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Fragrance / colour
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Parfum is a term for ingredient labelling used to identify that a product contains a material or a combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular odour. According to Article 19 of the Cosmetics Regulation, 'Perfume and aromatic compositions and their raw materials shall be referred to by the terms ‘parfum’ or ‘aroma’. '
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Surfactant
8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2,3-Propanetriol, homopolymer, decanoates (1:1) (4 mol glycerol average molar ratio)
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Surfactant
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ester of hexaglycerol and caprylic acid
Hydration
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Humectant
10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
alpha-D-Glucopyranoside, alpha-D-glucopyranosyl
Hydration
7 scientific references
- Cosmetics, October 2019, pages 1-10
- Cell Death & Disease, July 2019, pages 1-16
- International Journal of Toxicology, 2019, pages 5S-38S
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, February 2018, pages 2, 965-2, 976
- Journal of Applied Polymer Science, May 2017, pages 1-6
- Biomedical Reports, September 2014, pages 755-759
- Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, June 2011, pages 2, 020-2, 053
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Solvent
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Hydration
3 scientific references
- Skin Research and Technology, May 2015, pages 131-136
- Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, November-December 1999, pages 344-351
- Journal of Cosmetic Science, September-October 1993, pages 249-262
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Frequently asked questions
What ingredients are in Make-Up Removing Micellar Water?
AVENA SATIVA SEED WATER, GLYCERIN, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, CITRIC ACID, COCO-GLUCOSIDE, ETHYL LAUROYL ARGINATE HCL, PARFUM, POLYGLYCERYL-4 CAPRATE, POLYGLYCERYL-6 CAPRYLATE, TREHALOSE, WATER.
What are the active ingredients in Make-Up Removing Micellar Water?
CITRIC ACID.
How do I use Make-Up Removing Micellar Water?
Use AM and PM. Apply to a cotton makeup removal pad. Gently cleanse and/or remove makeup from the face, eyes, lips and neck. No rinsing required.
What skin types is Make-Up Removing Micellar Water good for?
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
Is Make-Up Removing Micellar Water good for sensitive skin?
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Is Make-Up Removing Micellar Water fungal acne safe?
One ingredient could feed malassezia: Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.
Can I use Make-Up Removing Micellar Water while pregnant?
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
Is Make-Up Removing Micellar Water fragrance free?
No — it contains Parfum.
Does Make-Up Removing Micellar Water contain alcohol?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Is Make-Up Removing Micellar Water silicone free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
Does Make-Up Removing Micellar Water contain essential oils?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Is Make-Up Removing Micellar Water paraben free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
What can I layer with Make-Up Removing Micellar Water?
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.
When should I apply Make-Up Removing Micellar Water?
Use it morning and evening, before moisturiser.
How many ingredients does Make-Up Removing Micellar Water have?
It lists 11 ingredients, of which 1 are recorded as actives.
Who makes Make-Up Removing Micellar Water?
Avène, a brand based in France.
Brand
Avène
Country
France