The age-old debate (as of recently) is cleansing balms vs. micellar water; which is better? Even though there are a host of makeup-removing products on the market, the most popular products have been cleansing balms and micellar water, which are better.

What is micellar water?

Micellar water is a makeup remover made using purified water and humectants like glycerin, and mild surfactants, which are compounds used for cleansing. Micellar water contains tiny particles called “micelles,” which soak up and dissolve dirt, oil, and makeup, making it easy to wipe away.

With the way micellar water works, you can easily remove makeup without scrubbing your skin. You only have to pour some of the micellar water on some cotton swab and wipe the makeup off. It is generally more preferred by people with sensitive skin around their eyes since it is gentle.

The micellar water bottles say there is no need to rinse off after cleansing, but here at Yendy, we are advocates of the double cleanse.

What is cleaning balm?

Cleansing balms are typically solid or buttery cleansers that melt into an oil once it comes into contact with the warmth of your skin. These balms break down dirt, spa, makeup, and other impurities on the skin using emollients and oils. To remove the cleansing balm from your skin, you must emulsify it (add a bit of water) and then turn it milky. It allows the cleanser to be washed off easily.

This type of cleanser is the gentlest for your skin because you are literally massaging your skin with oil. It also breaks down heavy makeup with ease.

Which is better?

Cleansing balms do a fantastic job of taking off heavy makeup. In contrast, micellar water will be best suited for someone with minimal makeup. The cleansing balms also easily break down waterproof makeup and lip tints compared to micellar water, which will have you rubbing your skin a little too hard. 

Looking at their eco-friendliness, micellar water is usually not plastic-free, and you must use cotton pads to remove them. You may also substitute the cotton pads with face towels which are more reusable and good for the planet. While the cleansing balms often come in glass or tins, there is no need for extra tools to use, making them low waste. They also tend to be more expensive compared to micellar water.

Both micellar water and cleansing balms are excellent for makeup removal. But what we will recommend removing a full face of makeup will be cleansing balms which are gentler for your skin even though you may have to splurge a little.