Sunday 22 June 2014

Bioderma Sensibio H2O vs. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water


Micellar waters have become the cleanser and makeup remover of choice since the boom of Bioderma's Sensibio/Crealine H2O Micelle Solutions which I reviewed here last year. What makes these micellar waters popular is their ability to remove makeup from even the most sensitive of skin and eyes without irritation, and not needing to be rinsed off. I have adored my Bioderma Sensibio H2O and have finished a whole 500mL bottle already, as well as stocked up on a few large bottles from overseas! The Bioderma does come at a price though, retailing in Australia at $29.95 for a 250mL bottle (I haven't seen the 500mL sizes in store). So when Garnier released their rendition called Micellar Cleansing Water for $11.99 for 400mL, I had to see how it performed. Being at a fraction of the cost, I was curious to compare Garnier's version to the cult favourite Bioderma Sensibio H2O.



Seeing as we all know what the fuss is about micellar makeup removers, I'll let the photos do the talking. The Garnier version is made in Poland whereas Bioderma is made in France and  since being both European countries, this does not bother me the least. Packaging wise, I have no issues with the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water as it is housed in a plastic bottle with a cap similar to Bioderma's. Its solution is clear, water-like and not unlike the Bioderma Sensibio H2O. So far, they are looking quite similar.



Nothing better than a test to compare these two directly! Here I swatched two eyeliners, one being a long-lasting one, another a gel, and one eyeshadow in the middle. On the left I will trial the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, and on the right, the Bioderma Sensibio H2O.

L-R: Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Brown, The Balm Shade Lady Palette Vol.2 Shade Feisty Felicia,  Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner in Brown
L-R: One swipe of Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, one swipe of Bioderma Sensibio H2O
The photo above is the remnants of the eye products after placing a cotton pad soaked in each micellar solution for 5 seconds and swiping once only. I found that they performed quite similarly with the one swipe test, and that both did not manage to budge either of the two eyeliners, although the Bioderma did manage to take a little off the gel eyeliner on the far right.


This is the residue left behind after rubbing the soaked cotton pad about 8 times over the makeup. If you look carefully the Bioderma has performed a bit better than the Garnier.


The final result after vigorous rubbing with the cotton pad- you can see some redness from how much I rubbed! Both micellar solutions did not completely remove the makeup as there is still minor marks leftover. Overall, the performance of the Garnier is near to similar as the Bioderma. The only one problem with the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is that it leaves a slightly soapy residue afterwards that may need to be rinsed off, whereas the Sensibio H2O has no residue at all. This may be a deal breaker for some!

All in all, I like both the micellar solutions. Nothing can replace my beloved Bioderma Sensibio H2O as it is foolproof, does the job and doesn't leave any residue behind. However, the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is just so much affordable and accessible (I can even buy it in the pharmacy I work at) and is regularly discounted. It performs nearly as well as the Bioderma- sans the soapy residue- but at a fraction of the cost, you can't go wrong.

Have you tried any of these micellar solutions? Which one do you prefer?





32 comments :

  1. Great comparison!! I have never tried any micellar water because I am too stingy for Bioderma yet I always break out whenever I use anything from Garnier so hence I have no experience with both products so far.. But I have heard that Nivea also has similar water which I may try in the near future ^^
    I always clean my make up with my all time favorite Balea ( a local drugstore brand ) oil make up remover which literally remove anything. Some people might find it too oily but I have no problem at all since I usually deep wash my face with facial wash afterwards. ^^

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    1. I used to love the bi-phase makeup removers, which have both the water and oil parts! I agree with you, I don't find a problem with them because I tend to rinse my face afterwards too. Lately I've been using cleansing oils which are amazing at removing stubborn makeup, and then going over with the Bioderma/Garnier to remove any residue and it's such a great combination!

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  2. Thanks for the comparison!
    I've used Bioderma micellar water before and enjoyed a quite a bit, but I still like using water and other conventional cleansers since the water in my area is really soft.
    I'm jealous you have more options that are affordable. I don't see many micellar water variety in the states. Hopefully we would get some soon! ;)

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    1. Wow I would have expected that America would have a larger range! I enjoy cleansing oils a lot and then using micellar cleansing waters afterwards which is able to remove every bit of stubborn makeup. Hopefully you get some more affordable micellar water products soon :)

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  3. You've done such an indepth review and comparison! Thanks! I've been really looking forward to trying micellar waters but then after so many ladies who do use super waterproof mascara and gel make up have been saying that it does nothing to remove those things I've been holding off trying anything. I just like going straight to oil and bi facil removers because I always have superwaterproof mascara that even some oils need rubbing to get my stuff off! Thanks for the review though!

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    1. I agree that the micellar waters don't do a good job at removing super waterproof mascara and eye makeup- you can definitely see it in my swatches! Oil and bi-phase removers are much more efficient at it for sure- I love to use cleansing oils and then micellar waters afterwards to wipe off any leftover makeup :) I actually quite like using them as gentle toners before I moisturise too!

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  4. Thanks for this helpful comparison!

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  5. Oh the Garnier one performed pretty decently! There's no way I'm going to pay for Bioderma just for a makeup remover!

    Sheri | Behind The Frames

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    1. The Bioderma is quite expensive for a makeup remover considering there are lots of more affordable ones out there! I do love it for its gentleness on the skin and eyes and how it doesn't need to be rinsed out though :)

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  6. I have Bioderma and while I like it, I don't think it's anything special for the price! Once I finish my 250mL bottle (which I admit is taking me a long time!), I'll definitely pick up the Garnier version.

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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    1. I know what you mean! It's not the product to use for removing tough waterproof makeup as it doesn't do a great job! I love it for removing residue from my eye makeup after I cleanse with an oil cleanser though which I find works really well :)

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  7. I haven't tried these micellar formulas, as I'm perfectly content with my "traditional" makeup remover from Sephora and my cleansing oil from Clinique. However, it's great to know that Garnier makes a worthy version! Yay for affordable products!

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    1. I love cleansing oils, they remove stubborn makeup really well! It's always good to have affordable versions of popular products :)

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  8. I've always come sp close to buying the Garnier micellar water but can never quite decide! Thanks for the awesome review~

    LIVE . IN . LOVE ✞

    ~

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    1. It's so affordable so it's definitely worth trying! If you're not a fan of the slight soapy feeling afterwards you can just rinse it off :)

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  9. Thanks for the comparison! Good to know that the Garnier one is a nice budget-proof alternative the the reigning king of micellar waters :-)

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    1. Garnier is definitely a very budget proof alternative if you don't want to splurge on the Bioderma :)

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  10. thanks for the comparison !
    because i heard a lot of people rave about bioderma but i think its quite pricey..glad that now i find the affordable one..hope that i can find it here..

    http://amourpixie.blogspot.com/

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    1. Bioderma is amazing, but if you don't want to spend too much money, Garnier is definitely worth a try :)

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  11. I did a similar comparison for my blog a few months ago, and I have to say, I agree 100% with what you've said. Even though Bioderma is slightly more affective, for the price that Garnier are offering their solution for, it's a no-brainer, as far as I'm concerned!
    I will say, though, that I did find the Garnier version slightly drying, at first, but it seems to have evened out now xx

    Francesca | On-The Bias | Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle

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    1. Definitely agree! Bioderma performs a tiny bit better and it doesn't have a soapy residue, but considering how much more you have to pay for it, Garnier is definitely the more cost effective option :) I didn't find the Garnier micellar solution to be drying though!

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  12. I've never tried this water yet. Sounds great. Hope you'll check my blog

    style-mepretty.blogspot.com

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  13. Good review:з

    http://kurumichiii.blogspot.ru/

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  14. It's too bad that we don't carry the Garnier one in Canada!

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  15. awesome review and comparison!! the soapy residue might be a deal breaker for me though -_-

    Ore :)
    Top 10 Posts of January | Pristine's Bliss

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  18. no doubt Bioderma Sensibio H2O is best choice for makeup removal i love it how it clean my skin and every pore you did a great review of this product custom printed boxes with logo

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Thanks for your lovely comments, I check all of your blogs!