The more obsessed you become with scent, the further you may venture in your quest for a fragranced life: beyond perfume and fancy candles, for example, you might become very particular about the fragrances of bath and body items or household products. (Hence my long and happy relationships with Lush and Mrs. Meyers, to name just two of my brand obsessions.) But why stop there? What about skincare? If I'm going to put something on my face, of all places, either it has to be unscented or have a scent that I truly enjoy.
On a recent browse through Sephora, I stopped to examine a new collection of skincare products from the beauty mega-giant's signature line. There were brightly packaged lip balms, sheet masks, facial wipes and — most interesting to me, personally — four new micellar cleansing waters. About two years ago I stopped cleaning my face with soap-based cleansers, switching to a two-step evening regimen of micellar water followed by non-foaming cream cleanser, and my skin has been markedly smoother and healthier. (For a quickie explanation of micellar waters, check out this short article from ELLE.)
I do have a favorite drugstore brand of micellar water, and now I'm also enjoying Sephora's versions, which are effective and good-smelling. Naturally, I had to try the Rose Micellar Cleansing Milk first ("Smooth and silky, this cleanser is also ultra-moisturizing and brightening"). It's tinted pastel pink and has a traditional tea rose fragrance that makes me feel calm and content as I'm removing my makeup and assorted city pollutants from my face in the evening. Several new Sephora Collection skincare items are rose-scented, which I take as a good sign that rose has finally been released from "old lady" typecasting.
I'm also a fan of the Coconut Water Micellar Cleansing Milk ("This smooth cleanser soothes and relaxes the complexion"), a cloudy white liquid that smells just like coconut water — lightly sweet and a touch bread-y, not creamy and vanillic like coconut cream. I happen to like coconut water as a beverage, and I was almost tempted to sip this micellar cleanser (although I didn't). And, somewhat less suited to my skin but very pleasing to my nose, there's Green Tea Micellar Cleansing Water ("This light and refreshing cleanser mattifies and fights blemishes without the use of harsh ingredients"). Its green tea scent is a little bit grassy, a little bit honeyed, just as it should be. I'm going to keep this one in the refrigerator and use it on hot summer nights.
All three of these products are strongly scented, to the point where they'll leave some lingering fragrance on your skin if you don't follow with another cleanser (the way I do). If you prefer your skincare unscented, these clever liquids will probably be too perfumed for you, but if you're in the mood to incorporate some scent into your skin routine, you might have fun with them. You can even check out the new Sephora Collection scented/flavored lip balms while you're at it.
Sephora Micellar Cleansing Waters and Cleansing Milks are available for $7.50 for 100 ml.
These sound great to me, I’ll have to try them. I normally use REN Rosa Centifolia micellar water because it smells like roses, which I love. The Sephora products are cheaper, though!
I can also recommend the Sephora Rose lip balm! Those REN products are so nice…expensive, but they smell wonderful.
I got those new lip balms in 3 colors (the ones in the paper cases.) I was thrilled to find inexpensive lip balms in a (pretty) tube. And beeswax-free, no less, which can be really hard to find (I have an allergy.)
Yes! I love the packaging. I’m tempted to purchase another one…the almond or the goji berry.
I JUST discovered micellar water this year and it’s become an integral part of my nightly routine! I’m still on my first bottle (from the drugstore) so I’m anxious to try out others.
An excellent SA at Bergdorf was bugging me to use micellar water back when it was still hard to find in the US — but I finally tried it when I became available in drugstores here and I love it! Le Covent de Minimes does a nice one but I don’t really like its fragrance. Garnier’s version is my staple (and it’s unfragranced), but lately I’ve been alternating with these cuties.
when *it* became available in drugstores, that is! 😉
Garnier’s version is a staple in my “routine” too. (Routine in quotes because all I do is cleanse with micellar water and then apply a moisturizer). For a 50 year old, I don’t look a day over 49!
hah!
Ooh, I’d love to know what you think about their sheetmasks! I think the rose and green tea masks smell about the same as the cleansing milk, but they didn’t have the same fragrance lasting power.
The word LUSH alone makes me nauseous
Ha! I used to avoid the section of the mall with the Lush store for that very reason. The entire wing of Garden State Plaza (NJ) reeked of it. My tummy couldn’t handle it.
I order from Lush online because I can’t go into one of their stores without getting a major migraine!
I also started using micellar water about a year ago. Bioderm Sensibio. Oddly enough, it seemed to contain alcohol or something that dried out my skin. I switched to Neogen Rose water, which I absolutely love. So gentle and effective and priced right. I’ve used the Sephora coconut wipes and like them.
Sensibio /Crealine has no alcohol – although another micellar water Bioderma markets for oily skin, does – and drying alcohol has no place in skincare. At all. Glad you found an alternative that works for you!
Yeah, it’s odd that my skin found it a bit harsh. Makes absolutely no sense.
I used that one for a couple of years. I initially liked it, but eventually it became too drying. Same thing happened with Illi anti-aging cleansing water. I’m currently using Blithe Anti-Polluaging Himalayan Pink Salt Cleansing Water. It has a really lush texture and isn’t drying (thus far.)
I haven’t tried any of the Neogen waters but I’m totally in love with their wine & lemon Gauze Peeling Pads. They’re super hydrating – almost like applying a sheet mask via a mega-soaked pad.
Oh no! A drying effect is no good. Glad you found an alternative!
One of my friends said that Bioderma Sensibio didn’t agree with her skin at all. I’ve never tried it, even though it’s one of the “originals.”
As much as I adore my fragrances, I absolutely, positively, do not want my skin care to be scented. Naturally derived or not, perfumed skincare is a no-go for me. Am I alone?
Micellar water is a recent discovery since moving to France and now, I won’t be without it. Bioderma’s Crealine (aka Sensibio, in some world markets) is pretty genius.
You are not alone! I won’t use fragranced products on my face at all.
This is an aside, but I hope you’ve adjusted well to your move, and maybe soon you’ll be ready to share some of your experiences/adventures with us?
It’s funny…there are certain scented skincare products that I can’t stand, like anything with a cucumber fragrance, or that Rodin Olio Lusso face oil that’s been strenuously promoted as a “cult product.” It has a jasmine scent that actually nauseates me.
On the other hand, there are certain scents in skincare that make me really happy, as you can see.
Oh, there are some skincare products out there that I think smell fabulous! (And I do use fragranced lip balms, tbh.)
It’s just that my face is sensitive and reactive, so I avoid fragranced skincare for that reason.
That makes total sense! I’m glad you’re still able to wear perfume elsewhere!
That’s good to hear. I’ve been using micellar waters for years, and Sephora’s stands out as the worst I’ve ever used. This was close to 10 years ago, and they probably no longer make the one I tried. One thing I hated about it was how awful it smelled! (It was also completely ineffective at cleansing.)
Incidentally, your cleansing routine is the reverse of mine (my p.m. routine, that is.) I use a cleansing oil, wipe it off with tissues, then remove everything with cotton pads soaked in micellar water. Before I found a cleansing oil I really liked, I started with a cleansing cream. Big Huge Upside of this routine: No water = No need to set foot in the bathroom. I do my entire skincare routine in bed while watching tv or reading the interwebs. Relaxing, and no excuse to skip it.
Which cleansing oil do you like best? I’m thinking about trying one…
Oh nice! I was using Josie Maran’s cleansing oil for a while, and I liked it. The reason I had to finally revamp my entire regimen was that I had some kind of horrible red and itchy allergy around my eyes, forehead, and mouth two years ago, and I had to stop *everything* in order to isolate the problem. I never added the Maran oil back in, which is too bad…but I’d fallen in love with micellar water by that point! and the entire CeraVe line!
I rely on Paula’s Choice, CeraVe, and a new line called Acquation… None of those lines have a micellar water or cleansing oil, though. You noted that the Garnier micellar water is unscented, so maybe that will be the next thing I try.
I do love your posts, no matter what kind of product you are talking about!
CeraVe makes some excellent skincare. I’m so, so glad my derm recommended them.
I’m going to have to grab the rose scent in this. I use Simple micellar water from the drugstore in a similar two-step method to yours and I’m a big fan. This is about the same price and even if I only use it occasionally I imagine going to sleep with a light rose fragrance will be very pleasing.
Do give it a sniff! I’m happy to see anything affordable and rose-scented at Sephora!