La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra for oily skin
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
Poloxamer 124
Glycerin
Peg-7 Caprylic Capric Glycerides
Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily skin; other products fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2020
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 for your oily skin, as Glycerin and Poloxamer 124 provide hydration and lift impurities without causing irritation. This formula is supportive for managing oily shine, though it lacks strong seboregulating ingredients for optimal results.
- The mild cleansing properties of Poloxamer 184 are suitable for oily skin, but stronger humectant support could improve overall comfort.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your micellar water for both AM and PM routines. Start using it daily since your skin is not sensitive.
- Apply the micellar water after cleansing and before toner. Follow up with your regular moisturizer or SPF.
- Pour a small amount onto a cotton pad and gently wipe it across your face. Avoid harsh rubbing to protect your skin.
- Apply the micellar water on dry skin to easily remove excess oil and shine. Clean skin helps the product work better.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a quick patch test before your very first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with sensitive and reactive skin frequently praise this product for its ability to remove makeup and impurities without triggering redness or tightness. While the "Sensitive Skin" version contains a light fragrance that divides opinion, the formula is widely celebrated for leaving the skin barrier feeling hydrated and intact rather than stripped.
Highlights
Effective cleansing Mostly Mentioned
- “removes waterproof mascara”
- “melts foundation”
- “cleans pollution”
- “no harsh rubbing”
Gentle on sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “no stinging”
- “calms redness”
- “soothing sensation”
Convenience Sometimes Noted
- “no rinse needed”
- “quick morning cleanse”
- “great for travel”
- “easy glide”
Hydrating finish Sometimes Noted
- “no tight feeling”
- “skin feels soft”
- “contains glycerin”
- “moisturizing residue”
Fragrance presence Sometimes Noted
- “strong floral scent”
- “irritating perfume”
- “smell lingers”
- “unexpected in sensitive product”
Price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “pricier than Garnier”
- “small bottle for price”
- “costly daily use”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “stings eyes”
- “blurry vision”
- “burns slightly”
- “irritates contacts”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “leaves tacky film”
- “needs rinsing”
- “feels heavy”
- “slightly sticky”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, ulta.com, lovelyskin.com, target.com, beautycrew.com.au, and more
Questions and answers
How well does La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra work for oily skin?
La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra works moderately well for oily skin by providing gentle cleansing and hydration without causing irritation. However, it lacks strong oil-controlling ingredients for optimal results. A product for oily skin of this type needs targeted oil-balancing ingredients and lightweight hydration to effectively manage shine.
Which ingredients make this micellar water a good fit for oily skin?
Glycerin and Poloxamer 124 make this micellar water a good fit for oily skin by providing gentle hydration and lifting impurities without causing irritation. For oily skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that effectively manage oiliness and clear impurities without leaving heavy residues.
What does Thermal Spring Water do for oily skin?
Thermal Spring Water helps calm oily skin while keeping it comfortable during warm weather. It may help balance skin hydration and reduce greasiness when used as part of your daily routine.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2019
What does Poloxamer 124 do for oily skin?
Poloxamer 124 helps cleanse and lift away oil on oily skin safely and effectively. It acts as a gentle surfactant and cleansing agent that is well-tolerated at typical cosmetic levels.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
In the evening, this product goes first as a makeup remover, or it can be used whenever you need to lift impurities and manage oily shine. It is unlikely to cause irritation due to its soothing components and absence of harsh ingredients.
Can I use this micellar water with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this micellar water before applying retinol, as it provides gentle cleansing that is unlikely to cause irritation. However, oily skin needs products with strong oil-controlling ingredients and extra humectants for the best results.
How often should I use it?
You can use this micellar water daily as part of your morning and evening routine to lift impurities and help manage oily shine. Mild cleansers used consistently are unlikely to cause irritation and help improve overall skin comfort.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it has a very safe formula with no harsh ingredients. However, because it lacks strong oil-controlling ingredients, oily skin generally needs products with targeted shine-managing components to keep pores clear.
Is this micellar water fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Avène Thermal Spring Water significantly decreased postpeeling redness and reduced the overall sensitive scale of consumers by 47% compared to mineral-rich thermal spring water in human volunteers.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2020Balneotherapy with thermal water altered specific skin microbiota at genus and species levels in healthy female volunteers compared to tap water, which produced no significant microbiome changes.
Life, 2023Malaysian thermal spring water as an adjunct to standard acne therapy improved skin hydration, reduced dryness and stinging, enhanced overall tolerability, and improved the acne disability index in patients with mild to moderate acne.
The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2024A 2% Sphingomonas xenophaga ferment extract cream applied twice daily for 4 weeks significantly decreased facial vascular disorder scores compared to vehicle in 86 Caucasian female subjects, alongside dose-dependent inhibition of pre-kallikrein activity in vitro.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Why other products fit oily skin better
A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.
Drug Research, 2017
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Peg-7 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Poloxamer 124, Poloxamer 184, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Polysorbate 80, Disodium Edta, Bht, Myrtrimonium Bromide
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
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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
How does it fit your skin?
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