Bioderma Sébium H2O for sensitive skin
Zinc Gluconate
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides
Fluidactiv Patent
Mannitol
Average
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate cleansing benefits for your normal skin, as zinc gluconate and copper sulfate help to decongest pores and regulate sebum without over-drying. Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract provides soothing properties that can help calm redness and irritation.
- Citric acid and copper sulfate offer mild astringent properties that contribute to general cleansing benefits for your skin concerns.
- The formulation is safe for your sensitive skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including beneficial soothing components.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start 3×/week and move to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your micellar water as your first cleansing step before your regular cleanser and toner. Always follow with a soothing moisturizer.
- Saturate a soft cotton pad with the micellar water and gently sweep it across your face. Avoid any harsh rubbing to protect your skin barrier.
- Use on dry skin to ensure better tolerance for your sensitive, reactive skin. There is no need to rinse it off afterwards.
- Avoid direct contact with your eyes and do a patch test before your very first use to check for comfort.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsUsers with combination, oily, and acne-prone skin highly recommend this micellar water for its ability to effectively remove makeup and excess sebum without stripping the moisture barrier. Many reviewers note that it helps regulate oil production and prevents breakouts, leaving the skin feeling fresh and balanced rather than tight or dry.
Highlights
Effective oil control Mostly Mentioned
- “Helps control excess oil”
- “keeps my T-zone matte”
- “regulates sebum well”
Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels clean but not tight”
- “doesn't strip my skin”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
Thorough cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Removes sunscreen effortlessly”
- “takes off all foundation”
- “leaves no residue”
Helps clear acne Sometimes Noted
- “Helps with my millia”
- “keeps breakouts at bay”
- “clears clogged pores”
Price point Sometimes Noted
- “Price is a little steep”
- “expensive for a water”
- “good but pricey”
Waterproof makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “Won't budge waterproof mascara”
- “struggles with heavy eye makeup”
- “need a separate eye remover”
Contains fragrance Rarely Noted
- “Has a cucumber scent”
- “wish it was fragrance-free”
- “smell is a bit strong”
Slightly drying Rarely Noted
- “Left my cheeks dry”
- “a bit drying in winter”
- “better for summer use”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, boots.com, dermstore.com, walgreens.com, target.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Bioderma Sébium H2O work for sensitive skin?
Bioderma Sébium H2O works for sensitive skin, though other products fit it better. It helps decongest pores and calm redness, but a product of this type needs effective hydrating ingredients, deep hydration like multiple types of hyaluronic acid, and nourishing components to truly thrive on sensitive skin.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Zinc gluconate and copper sulfate help decongest pores while soothing ginkgo biloba leaf extract helps calm redness and irritation on sensitive skin. A product of this type needs effective hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, along with soothing components such as aloe, amino acids, and nourishing oils.
What does Zinc Gluconate do for sensitive skin?
Zinc gluconate helps calm irritated skin and may reduce redness and swelling for sensitive skin types. This ingredient is generally well tolerated and is unlikely to cause irritation when used in skincare routines.
What does Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract do for sensitive skin?
Ginkgo biloba leaf extract helps calm sensitive skin and may reduce redness and reactivity. It supports skin comfort by lowering inflammation and protecting against daily irritation.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
Bioderma Sébium H2O is used in the evening routine as a makeup remover before cleansing, or as part of a weekly evening routine. Micellar waters for sensitive skin need gentle cleansing ingredients and soothing plant extracts that lift away makeup and impurities without causing redness or irritation.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this micellar water alongside retinol by applying it first to gently cleanse your skin before putting on your retinol treatment. This type of routine works best for sensitive skin when it includes soothing ingredients like ceramides and gentle hydrators to keep your face calm and soft.
How often should I use it?
You can use Bioderma Sébium H2O daily as part of your evening routine to gently remove makeup and cleanse. This micellar water is unlikely to irritate sensitive skin, but this skin type needs extra soothing components and richer moisture to stay truly calm and soft.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
Bioderma Sébium H2O is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin because its ingredients help clear pores and calm redness without over-drying. To better fit sensitive skin, a product of this type needs extra soothing components and gentle, hydrating ingredients.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
A single application of a topical formulation containing copper sulfate pentahydrate and Hypericum perforatum effectively managed HSV-1 and HSV-2 lesions with lower odds of burning, stinging, acute pain, erythema, and vesiculation compared to topical 5% Acyclovir cream in adult patients.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013Topical application of a 2% cream containing combined fruit extracts for 56 days significantly reduced wrinkle depth by 11.5%, length by 10.07%, and area by 29.55% in 21 female subjects compared to a placebo.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015Topical application of Ginkgo biloba cream for two weeks reduced wrinkles and improved skin shape, texture, and tautness in human volunteers compared to baseline.
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2023Combining ectoine and mannitol with UV filters significantly improved protection of squalene oxidation, catalase activity, and trans-UCA compared to UV filters alone in 10 subjects on irradiated areas.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical mannitol cream reduced self-reported pain scores compared to a control cream in 25 adults with capsaicin-induced lip pain.
PM & R, 2015A hyaluronic acid dermal filler containing mannitol improved nasolabial folds in 61% to 89% of Middle Eastern participants through 24 weeks, significantly decreasing wrinkle area and volume compared with baseline.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Sodium Citrate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Sulfate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Cetrimonium Bromide, Parfum
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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