Although there are some common features (like the consistency and appearance of the two), micellar water is different from toner. In essence, micellar water acts as a cleanser, whereas toner is an additional step used after cleansing. At Drunk Elephant, we believe there are six culprits that are at the root of almost all skin problems. If you take a break from the Suspicious 6, your skin can reset to its happiest, healthiest state.

Washing your face may seem like the simplest, most no-brainer part of your skincare routine. Grab your usual cleanser, suds up, rinse, pat dry. But what if we told you that there was a whole product category out there that could totally change how you cleanse? We’re talking about micellar water. It’s made of up of, well, water, along with micelles — tiny surfactant (a.k.a. cleansing) spheres that act like magnets and bind to makeup, dirt, oil, and debris on the skin, explains Dr. Fatima Fahs, a board-certified dermatologist in Michigan and founder of Dermy Doc Box. We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

Vitamin E: A powerful and easily absorbable vitamin that soothes + preserves the natural lipid balance of skin while defending against environmental free-radical damage. Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, C15-19 Alkane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin

use of the content you supply does not violate these Terms of Use and will not cause injury to any person or entity. After three months of testing, we still love the quality of this product and the milky consistency that's gentle and hydrating on the skin. The only thing we'd change? The price tag. Although this is a great product, we don't know if we would buy it again on our own terms, considering there are other great micellar waters available for half the cost. If you're a fan of Drunk Elephant, though, and don't mind spending the extra money, it won't leave you disappointed.Although it yielded a measurable increase in skin’s moisture levels, it didn't increase as much as some others we tested Skincare should be simple and straightforward, and Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Micellar Water is as easy as it gets. Formulated with vitamins B3, B5, and C, this water enriches the skin with gentle ingredients while cleansing away all traces of makeup and dirt. If you’re looking to incorporate micellar water into your routine, this budget-friendly product is a great place to start: It’s gentle, easily removes grime, and comes at a great price point. Not to mention, the product efficiently removes makeup, too, so you get a great two-for-one. The simple ingredients thoroughly clean the skin and absorb excess oil. “I am very impressed with the way the product works; It effectively removed all my makeup to the point where using this was better than washing my face,” our tester shares. She notes that it also made her face feel slightly tingly, but in a good, refreshed way. A micellar water is applied to your complexion with a cotton pad; as you wipe it off, you take those micelles (and all of that extra gunk) off of your skin, no rinsing required. Not only are they very easy to use, micellar waters are also much gentler on your skin than traditional soap-based cleansers, notes Dr. Kseniya Kobets, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in New York City. And that makes them an especially good choice for anyone with drier, more sensitive skin, although anyone can use them. According to Dr. Yadav, micellar cleansing water is great for your skin. “Micellar water is very gentle on the skin because it uses those micelles to clean away excess oil and grime, not surfactants, which can aggressively strip the skin of its natural oils and leave it dehydrated,” she explains.

PEOPLE Commerce Editor Erika Reals updated this article to include long-term testing insights for each micellar water, including removing a product that our team no longer recommends after three months of use.

Verdict: Best micellar water

We're still using this micellar water after months of testing, although there are some mixed feelings on our team. One tester noted that she loves how this oil leaves her face feeling really clean (despite being acne-prone) and that a little goes a long way, while another tester says she only uses it about once a week now because she feels the extra step in rinsing off the oil isn't worth it (she reaches for her regular foaming cleanser, instead). However, if you're wanting to use this strictly for removing makeup, it still excels in that department. Originally a French skincare staple, micellar water is a multitasking product loved for its ability to cleanse skin and remove makeup, all in one step. A great alternative to makeup wipes and face washes, the rinse-free formulas are gentle yet effective. The thing is, with micellar water’s popularity rising, finding the right one for your skin concerns can feel like a daunting task. When selecting a micellar water, it's important to cater to the needs of your skin type. No one wants any unexpected breakouts or to exasperate already dehydrated skin, after all. For instance, if you have sensitive skin choose a gentle cleansing water like the Vichy Purete Thermale Mineral Micellar Water or Neogen Calming Cicatree Micellar Cleansing Oil, as they are both formulated for sensitive skin. If you have oily skin, you want a micellar water that will remove impurities and sop up excess oil (try the Kumiko Matcha Micellar Water - Purifying Facial Cleanser and Makeup Remover). On the other hand, those with dry skin should opt for a formula that is super nourishing and moisturizing. In this case, try out Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water, which is rich in hydrating ingredients. Even though that cleansing power automatically makes them a success in my book, my skin doesn't often feel as moisturized as it would after I've put on a serum or cream. However, this new Drunk Elephant version was not only able to remove stubborn eyeshadow, but it also left my face feeling softer than after any other micellar water I've used in the past — and looked totally different coming out of the bottle, too. There’s a major ‘shroom boom’ happening in skincare at the moment, and this micellar water does indeed capitalize on all those benefits of mushrooms. It’s part of the reason why it earned this superlative, well-worth every penny. Along with doing its intended duty of cleansing the skin (which we found it to do quite well, we might add), it also contains a variety of mushroom extracts that further help to calm and soothe. And that’s alongside a lengthy list of other antioxidant-rich ingredients, putting this almost in the category of a serum when it comes to offering benefits besides just cleansing. The end result? A significant difference in the texture and feel of our skin.