Does Micellar Water Remove Sunscreen?
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase.
Sun protection is the answer to a lot of skin issues, but when putting on sunscreen daily, more questions arise.
How do you remove sunscreen from the skin? Does micellar water remove sunscreen?
With all the thick layers you apply on your skin throughout the day, there are bound to be consequences if you don’t remove them properly.
In this article, we explain why it’s important to clean your face after putting on sunscreen and show you how to remove sunscreen from your skin or face using micellar water.
- Suitable for sensitive and oily skin
- Removes dirt, makeup, and SPF
- Gentle, water-like texture
- Unclogs pores
- Instantly boosts skin's hydration by 90%
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Removes dirt, makeup, and sunscreen
- Restores skin barrier
- Softens skin
Table of Contents
Why You Don’t Want to Leave Sunscreen on at Night
Drying
Water and cleanser alone are not enough to remove sunscreen well.
If you put moisturizer on top of the sunscreen that you thought you’d gotten rid of, your moisturizer will just sit on the surface of your skin; it won’t be absorbed.
This will cause a lack of moisture in the long run.
Product Buildup
Many people think that since sunscreen needs to be reapplied, it means that it’s super easy to remove as well.
But in reality, the dirt that gets stuck between the layers and all the excess sunscreen tend to build up and cause skin issues like breakouts and blackheads.
What Is Micellar Water?
Micellar water is a gentle detergent used for the skin. It removes dirt and grime (and yes, even sunscreen!) well with just a swipe of a cotton pad.
Its formula is so mild that it has skin-balancing and hydrating properties too, so you can even use it as a toner.
How to Use Micellar Water to Remove Sunscreen
So does micellar water remove sunscreen?
Micellar water is usually enough to cleanse your face without cleansers, but if you’re using it to remove sunscreen, you have to remember that it’s not an alternative to traditional cleansers.
This is because micellar water can break down the oils of sunscreens, but it’s super gentle so it’s best used as the initial step in double cleansing to make sure all the layers are completely removed from your skin.
Here’s how to use micellar water to remove sunscreen:
- Add a generous amount of micellar water onto a cotton ball or preferably a cotton pad.
- Gently swipe on your skin and make sure that you apply it on every part of your face.
- Use a gentle cleanser to remove any sunscreen residue left on your skin.
- Do your skincare routine as usual.
What to Consider When Buying Micellar Water
Formula
There are lots of micellar water in the market, each with different formulations that you can choose from.
Many people react differently to different skincare products, so you have to check if there’s something in the formula that you might be sensitive to.
One of them is whether you like a fragrance or no-fragrance formula. Some people break out with fragrance, and a number of brands offer fragrance-free formulas to address this issue.
Another ingredient to look out for is alcohol. A lot of buyers experience dryness with alcohol, so check the label if the micellar water you’re planning to buy has it or not.
Skin Type
Some brands formulate their micellar water to target different skin types.
If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to purchase micellar water with minimal ingredients to avoid any flare-ups.
Meanwhile, if you have oily skin, we recommend choosing micellar water with high removal power to cleanse the sunscreen along with the dirt, grime, and oil buildup on your face.
Price
If you’re wearing sunscreen every day (and we really hope you are!), you would need to use a lot of micellar water to remove the layers well.
Since it’s water-based, it tends to run out quicker than your other skincare products, so it’s important to choose one that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
The Best Micellar Water to Remove Sunscreen
If you’re looking for a well-known product that gets the job done, we highly recommend getting Avène for your skin.
Primary Benefits: Removes dirt, makeup, and sunscreen; restores skin barrier; softens skin
Features:
- Soap-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free, mineral oil-free, animal-derived ingredient-free
- Formulated to minimize risk of allergic reactions
- Claims 98% of impurities from pollution are removed
We guarantee that this will be one of your favorites. Thank us later!
This is definitely a product that you’ll wish you’d found sooner.
Not only will this micellar lotion succeed in removing your sunscreen, but it will also effectively soften and smoothen your skin.
It’s great for sensitive skin since it’s super gentle and is formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.
The one thing that you might not like about this product is its fragrance, and if you’re sensitive to them, we have four more products on our list that are as effective.
If you like the classic drugstore holy grail, you might want to try the Garnier Micellar Water.
Primary Benefits: Effective cleanser; suitable for sensitive skin; removes makeup and SPF
Features:
- Cruelty-free
- Oil-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free
- Hypoallergenic
Trust us, you’ll fall in love with this formula!
Many people have had this product on their skincare routine for years and have not experienced any breakouts or dryness, which proves how effective it is at cleansing the skin and how perfect it is for dry skin.
The price is very affordable as well, given that it’s a drugstore product, so you don’t have to worry about emptying the bottle too quickly.
Nothing beats a long-time staple. La Roche-Posay is one of them and for good reason.
Primary Benefits: Suitable for sensitive and oily skin; removes dirt, makeup, and SPF; gentle, water-like texture
Features:
- Soap-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic
- Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested
- Made with La Roche-Posay thermal spring water
If you’re looking for a trusted brand, this is one that we highly recommend.
Stuff your cart and hoard some La Roche-Posay because this is magic water!
Not only does it get the job done when it comes to clearing your face of dirt and sunscreen, it also leaves your skin refreshed and soft.
It wouldn’t leave your skin tight and dry as well, so if you have sensitive skin, use this to avoid any breakouts or irritation.
However, if you’re not into fragrance, this one might not be for you. If you can get past the scent though, this product is certainly a must-have!
Your search is finally over if you try out this total game changer.
Primary Benefits: Suitable for sensitive skin; soothes skin; removes dirt and SPF
Features:
- Oil-, alcohol-, and paraben-free
- Water-like texture
- Non-sticky formula
A warning though, once you’ve tried this, you might never be able to live without it.
Bioderma successfully removes even the thickest layers of sunscreen and guarantees that you won’t react to this product even if you have the most sensitive skin.
You won’t feel any dryness; instead, you feel super refreshed after use.
It’s seriously the only makeup and SPF remover you’ll ever need, so stock up!
Simple has formulated a micellar water that’s so good you might get addicted.
Primary Benefits: Unclogs pores; instantly boosts skin's hydration by 90%; suitable for sensitive skin
Features:
- Made with vitamins B3 and C, hexylene glycol, and triple purified water
- No artificial perfumes, no color or dye, and no harsh chemicals
- Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic
With its price and effectiveness, it’s such a steal! Definitely a must-buy!
You’ll be surprised at how a product so cheap can actually be the savior of your skin.
Simple Micellar Cleansing Water is so well-made that it cleanses makeup and sunscreen well without stripping your skin of natural oils.
It’s dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested too, so you can freely use it without worry. Best of all, it’s suitable for sensitive eyes and skin.
FAQs
Why is sunscreen so hard to wash off?
Physical sunscreens are designed to last, especially on water.
They’re usually thick and oil-based because of ingredients like zinc and titanium oxide, which are hard to take off the skin.
This means that the only way to remove sunscreen from your face naturally is through oils too, such as coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil.
If you don’t like the feeling of oils sitting on top of your skin, proceed with a water-based cleanser.
This is where micellar water comes in. You can even skip oil cleansing if you use micellar water.
Should I use micellar water after sunscreen?
Yes, you should use micellar water after every application of sunscreen.
This is to avoid any product buildup and dryness on your skin, which could cause acne and blackheads. This is also why it’s not OK to sleep with sunscreen on.
Does micellar water remove waterproof sunscreen?
As mentioned, waterproof sunscreens contain ingredients like zinc and titanium oxide, which sit on your skin and tend to build up if you don’t know how to remove them well.
Micellar water’s formulation is enough to break down and remove deep-seated formulas. Micellar water is infused with micelles, which are tiny particles that soak up all the dirt, grime, makeup, and sunscreen that are stuck on your skin.
That is why and how it removes waterproof sunscreens easily.
Conclusion
With all the options on the market, it’s impossible to not be able to find the perfect micellar water for you.
Now that you know how important they are to your skin, it’s best to add them to your routine today!
Want more on sunscreens?
These articles might be able to help:
- 5 Best Missha Sunscreens: Which One Is Right For You?
- Can I Use Sunscreen As A Moisturizer?
- 9 Best Korean Sunscreen Sticks For Effective Skin Protection