Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water in Oil for oily skin
Argania Spinosa Oil
Micellar Technology
Astaxanthin Extract
Cyclopentasiloxane
Decyl Glucoside
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
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 benefits for your oily skin, as cyclopentasiloxane and argania spinosa oil effectively dissolve makeup and impurities, though the emollient oils may not specifically target excess shine.
- The formula is generally safe for your oily skin, with argania spinosa oil and argania spinosa kernel oil providing emollient action without causing irritation.
- The product is safe for your skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like Argania Spinosa Oil.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3×/week and increase to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. It prepares your skin by melting away excess oil and makeup.
- Gently press a small amount onto your dry skin using your fingertips. Massage softly and avoid harsh rubbing to protect your pores.
- Apply this product on dry skin to effectively break down heavy makeup and surface oil. Massage it gently before washing it off with water.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin feels comfortable.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 2.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this micellar water is highly effective at removing stubborn and waterproof makeup, and is frequently noted for being gentle and hydrating for dry and sensitive skin types. Some users with oily or blemish-prone skin report a greasy residue after use, and a smaller number of reviews mention concerns about fragrance and the number of ingredients.
Highlights
Removes waterproof makeup Mostly Mentioned
- “completely removes my waterproof mascara”
- “instantly dissolves all types of makeup, even waterproof”
- “perfect for getting my mascara, eyeliner and foundation off”
- “removes stubborn makeup, especially waterproof mascara and long-wear foundation”
Gentle on sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “does not cause any irritation or redness to my skin or eyes”
- “never irritates my dry, sensitive skin”
- “really gentle on my eyes when removing makeup”
- “this micellar water oil is so gentle on the skin”
Hydrating and nourishing Sometimes Noted
- “leaves my skin feeling really clean, fresh and nourished”
- “cleanser is moisturising and my skin feels hydrated after use”
- “leaves you with ultra soft skin”
- “does leave the skin feeling softened”
Leaves greasy residue Sometimes Noted
- “made my skin feel slightly greasy”
- “leave a slight layer of film on the skin”
- “due to the oil content, I do feel that they leave my skin slightly greasy afterwards”
- “made my skin feel slightly greasy... a few hours afterwards”
Contains fragrance Rarely Noted
- “contains artificial fragrance”
- “can be irritating to people who are sensitive to fragrance”
- “the ingredients contains fragrance”
- “smells really nice but can be irritating”
Unnecessary ingredients Rarely Noted
- “there are a shed load of ingredients in this product that other micellar waters do not have”
- “has 23 ingredients vs 7 ingredients of the normal Garnier”
- “product has 3 sunscreen ingredients... just not necessary”
- “Bunch of allergens, which must be listed per EU regulation”
Sources: lovi.care, desertcart.in, chemistwarehouse.com.au, chemistdirect.com.au, beautyheaven.com.au, happyskindays.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Garnier Micellar Water in Oil work for oily skin?
This makeup remover works well enough for your oily skin to lift away makeup and impurities, though it does not target excess shine. It is unlikely to cause irritation because it lacks harsh ingredients, but an oily skin type needs lightweight or oil-controlling cleansers to keep the skin fresh and clear.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Cyclopentasiloxane and argania spinosa oil make this cleanser a decent fit by dissolving makeup and impurities without causing irritation. However, oily skin needs a makeup remover that includes oil-controlling ingredients to manage excess shine.
What does Argan Oil do for oily skin?
Argan oil has a higher oleic acid amount which may be detrimental for oily skin, as natural plant oils with higher oleic acid amounts can harm the skin barrier. Oily skin needs plant oils with a higher linoleic acid to oleic acid ratio that provide better skin-barrier repair potential.
What does Micellar Water do for oily skin?
Micellar water helps clean oily skin gently without leaving it dry or irritated. Using it as part of your daily routine removes dirt and excess oil while keeping your skin calm and comfortable.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your regular cleanser, as well as in your weekly routine. Oily skin works best with cleansers containing ingredients like salicylic acid or clay that help control excess shine.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser and treatment, but because it contains oils that may not target excess shine, oily skin often needs lightweight, oil-free cleansers and mattifying ingredients to control extra oil.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine to wipe away makeup and impurities. Oily skin works best with a cleanser containing purifying ingredients that target excess shine and gently balance oil.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and uses oils that are generally safe and non-irritating. However, because it leaves a greasy feel, oily skin often needs a lightweight, oil-free formula with ingredients that help control excess shine.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol, benzyl salicylate, geraniol, limonene, linalool, and parfum).
What the research says
Topical application of an argan oil NLC-based hydrogel formulation increased skin hydration in healthy volunteers over a one-month period through a synergistic effect of NLC occlusion and argan oil hydration.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025Incorporating allantoin into argan oil enriched liposomes improved its accumulation in the dermis (~8.7μg/cm(2)) and permeation through the skin (~33μg/cm(2)) compared to conventional liposomes, water dispersion, and a commercial gel.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2016Polymeric micelles of oleanolic acid applied around the eyes of 23 female subjects for 8 weeks significantly improved all five optical profilometry skin parameters and visual evaluation scores without causing skin irritation.
Nanoscale Research Letters, 2020The overall unpleasant sensations score improved by 47.7%, 57.9%, and 62.7% at D2, D14, and D28 respectively compared to baseline in 400 individuals using a micellar solution.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021Optimized vinpocetine-loaded TPGS-ALA micelles enhanced transdermal skin penetration compared with raw vinpocetine transdermal film formulation.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2019Oral astaxanthin supplementation significantly restored moisture content and improved elasticity but did not significantly decrease wrinkle depth compared to placebo in humans.
Nutrients, 2021Combining oral and topical astaxanthin in 30 healthy females improved skin wrinkles, age spots, elasticity, texture, and moisture, while 6 mg daily oral supplementation in 36 healthy males improved crow's feet wrinkles, elasticity, and transepidermal water loss.
Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2012Twice-daily application of a novel topical antioxidant formulation safe, well-tolerated, and effective in improving overall skin quality, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance, and hyperpigmentation in 32 healthy female subjects over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Argania Spinosa Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ci 60725, Violet 2, Decyl Glucoside, Dipotassium Phosphate, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Astaxanthin Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, 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
How does it fit your skin?
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