Can Cleansing Waters Really Take the Place of Soap and Water?

Cleansing waters, also known as micellar waters, have increasingly gained popularity among skincare enthusiasts recentlyand for good reason. When youre out and about and dont have access to soap and water (sometimes not even a mirror), these water-based formulas allow you to dab and goapplying like a toner. Our gym bag is finally complete!

But how well do these formulas really work? And can they replace tried-and-true foam cleansers for everyday use? We reached out to dermatologistDr. David Bank, author of Beautiful Skin: Every Womans Guide to Looking Her Best at Any Age and Founder & Director ofThe Center For Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgeryin Mt. Kisco, NY,for his advice on diving deep into the trend.

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[Micellar waters] provide the same clean, but in a much more gentle and hydrating method, says Dr. Bank. So much so, he recommends the product for all skin types, but especially for sensitive skin. Micellar waters are cleansing molecules surrounded by water, as compared to foaming cleansers which usually contain a higher amount of the detergent molecules.

The formulas gently remove impuritieslike grime, dead skin cells, even your eye makeup!by absorbing on contact like a magnet. No harsh scrubbing required. Some of our favorites includeEau Thermale Avne Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-Up Remover($30) andLa Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution($21).

Bottom line: yep, theyre the real dealjust keep in mind that masses of suds dont always equal a deeper cleanse. You dont need to see a product work to know its doing its job. Have faith, everyone.

Read more:The Only Facial Cleanser You Should Be Using This Winter