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13 best micellar waters and cleansers for oily skin

Reduce excess shine while removing make-up with a fresh-smelling face wash

Friday 21 October 2016 09:48 BST

Everyone knows that maintaining your skin’s health is down to a good skincare regime which is usually cleanse, tone and moisturise, morning and night, while using SPF protection during the day. Although you may think this routine is just a marketing ploy to get you to buy more products, if you select the best ones for your skin type, over time you’ll see visible results. And it’s better to start younger to help combat the ageing process; you’ll certainly thank yourself later in life.

The most important part of this routine though is cleansing. If you have oily skin you’ll know how difficult it can be to maintain good skin without getting spots or excess oily shine. This is because you’re glands are overproducing oil and you usually have larger pores which make spots more common. A good cleanser though will tackle these annoying problems and leave your skin feeling soft and clean. And in recent years the increased popularity of micellar water, where micelles molecules in the water draw out dirt from your skin without drying it out, means it’s now easier (and cheaper) than ever to keep your skin healthy. We tried and tested a range of cleansers and micellar waters to find out which ones work, with minimum fuss and are worth investing in.

1. Eve Lom Cleanser, 100ml: £55, Look Fantastic

Don’t be put off by the price-tag – this multi-purpose product from skincare expert Eve Lom does everything you could wish for and more. It counts as an exfoliating cleanser, make-up remover and toner, and used with the muslin cloth (which is included) will transform your skincare regime. Although it suits all skin types, it’s recommended that those with oily skin use twice a day, morning and night. The blend of eucalyptus oil, hops oil, Egyptian chamomile and cocoa butter leaves skin smelling sweet and looking flawless. The tingly sensation you get after use also makes you feel like it’s really worked. This pioneering, all-in-one product has won many beauty awards and we can completely see why.

2. La Roche-Possay Effaclar Purifying Micellar Water, 200ml: £8, Feel Unique

This French brand put La Roche-Possay thermal spring water in every product and worked with dermatologists to bring us products that target specific problems for different skin types. This micellar water is specially designed for oily skin; soak a cotton pad with it and it will remove the dirt, grime and make-up of the day from your face and neck easily. It leaves skin looking fresh and feeling clean. It also feels like you’re removing excess oil too, as skin feels smooth to touch. Follow with a toner and light moisturiser if your skin feels a tad too dry though.

3. Origins Deep Pore Cleanser with Saw Palmetto and Mint, 150ml: £16.50, Origins

As part of Origins’ oil free range, this hard-working cleanser is ideal for oily skin. Filled with saw palmetto, a plant with antiseptic properties, refreshing mint and pore-minimising salicylic acid, this face wash packs an oil-combating punch. You’ll notice less shine, especially across your forehead and your skin will smell of fresh mint (but not in an overpowering, just-cleaned-your-teeth way). Use twice a day for best results.

4. Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash, 200ml: £22, Kiehl’s

The clinical-looking bottle and solution are an indication that this cleanser means business and it certainly impressed us. You only need to massage a small amount into your skin using your fingers and rinse off to get your skin looking clean and refreshed. Its gel-like formula lifts away dirt and cools skin – it’s also soap and paraben-free. Calendula, an oil from marigold flowers, is great for oily and sensitive skin too. Follow with the matching toner for best results.

5. Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil, 125ml: £6.99, Boots

Simple is renowned for its easy-to-use and affordable products. And this cleansing oil gives you smooth and gentle skin with minimum fuss. Apply a few drops to clean hands, massage over face and rinse off with warm water. We were a little sceptical of an oil-based solution when trying to combat oily skin, but were pleasantly surprised by the results – no oily residue left and our skin looked refreshed. It removes make-up well too.

6. Bioderma Sebium Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel, 200ml: £6.33, Escentual

The Bioderma laboratory has produced this soft, paraben and soap-free formula that suits blemish prone skin. It’s also great for combination and oily skin and handily doubles up as shaving gel. This product works to unclog pores, cleanse and purify skin and we noticed a real difference. Our skin felt smooth and had reduced shine, and at such a reasonable price it’s certainly one to consider. For best results, apply to damp skin twice a day, lather, rinse and dry.

7. Green People Foaming Face Wash, 100ml: £12, Green People

This foaming face wash contains plenty of strong-smelling natural ingredients (witch hazel, aloe vera, chamomile and green tea) which would explain why the aroma alone will leave you feeling thoroughly relaxed. Apply to face and neck both morning and night, massage into skin, rinse then dry with a towel. You’ll notice visibly softer skin after a few days and the foaming sensation feels like you’re thoroughly cleaning your skin.

8. Garnier Pure Active Micellar Cleansing Water, 400ml: £3.33, Boots

Garnier’s fuss-free, easy-to-use micellar water is a cheap way to softer, shine-free skin, and an easy skincare regime. It removes stubborn make-up from the day and, using a cotton pad, can be swept over eyes, lips and skin, to give you a clear and healthy-looking glow. It didn’t sting our eyes like some we tested. We reckon this is a beauty essential for those on a budget. Use twice daily, morning and night.

9. Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Oil Free Cleanser, 150ml: £18, Boots

The blend of botanical extracts and witch hazel give this oil-free cleanser a natural, herbal smell and its more granular consistency feels like you’re also exfoliating. Despite its consistency though, it still feels gentle on the skin and leaves it looking radiant. To use: massage onto wet face, lather and rinse with warm water. We loved how awake we felt afterwards.

10. Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser, 200ml: £22.50, Look Fantastic

This easy-to-use lime blossom cleanser is great for oily, combination or breakout prone skin. You simply apply to your face with your fingers and remove excess with a damp cotton pad. Use morning and night and apply the matching toner afterwards. It works to balance oils on your skin’s surface, remove make-up and repair damaged skin. It smells subtly of zesty lime and will leave skin feeling soft and ready for the day.

11. Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, 100ml: £14, Boots

As one half of the famous Liz Earle daily skincare range (the Instant Boost Skin Tonic being the other half), it wouldn’t be a “best of” round-up without this cleanser on the list. Use twice a day by massaging into dry skin and rinsing off using warm water and the pure cotton cloth provided. Although not specifically for oily skin, it gently removes dirt and left our skin feeling supple and soothed. Cocoa butter, beeswax and eucalyptus provide a rich and honey-like smell, while cooling and calming irritated areas.

12. Aesop Amazing Face Cleanser, 200ml: £33, Mankind

Australian brand Aesop has a fantastic range of skincare products and the practical packaging guides you through how to use each one. For oily skin this face cleanser is worth considering. Packed with lavender, ylang ylang and tangerine, it smells mainly of lavender and leaves skin feeling soothed and ready for the day. You only need a small amount to massage over your face and neck before rinsing off – use twice daily for best results.

13. Sisley Gentle Cleansing Gel with Tropical Resins, 120ml: £56, John Lewis

Luxury beauty brand Sisley has recently launched a new range of tropical resins, including this gentle cleansing gel. Targeted at oily skin, it softly purifies with benzoin extract, sooths with myrrh and incense extracts and moisturises with marshmallow extract. The result is your face looking fresh, smelling of citrus and feeling silky smooth. If your budget will stretch this far, it’s well worth the investment.

The Verdict: Micellar waters and cleansers for oily skin

For a product that does everything from removing make-up to exfoliating, while smelling fresh and leaving skin feeling nice and tingly, Eve Lom is our winner. For a cheaper alternative that still does a great job, use Garnier Micellar Water.