I’ve been edging up to do a like for like comparison on these two micellar waters, but guess what? They’re exactly the same thing. Honestly.
Except for a couple of crucial things. The price and the labels. The L’Oreal Paris micellar is currently on offer at Boots for £3.99 but at it’s usual price it’s £4.99 for 200ml. The Garnier Micellar is £4.99 for 400ml.
So, the claims. L’Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Purifying Micellar Solution claims to dissolve make up, unclog pores and remove impurities and tone and smooth the skin. It claims to be suitable for sensitive skin. Garnier Skin Naturals flags up the ‘for sensitive skin’ right on the label, and claims to remove make up, cleanse and sooth with no rinsing. I’ve had this checked over by a formulator and they confirm that despite a little variation on the ingredient names, they are, essentially exactly the same.
This makes me feel screamy as a consumer. L’Oreal are producing some amazing, amazing things right now, so this feels like a bit of a screw up when you look at it as a customer trust issue. A reader flagged this up to me – people are much more savvy than clearly L’Oreal thinks. In a fit of sulking about this I’d suggest you buy neither.
And in case you’re wondering how these compare to Bioderma, the Bioderma ingredient list is:
WATER (AQUA), PEG-6 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, MANNITOL, XYLITOL, RHAMNOSE, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES, DISODIUM EDTA, CETRIMONIUM BROMIDE.A different line-up but again, achieving the same thing. Key players are the surfactants, PEG-6 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES in the Bioderma product and POLOXAMER 184 in the L’Oreal formulas.
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
11 comments
I’ve got the garnier one but it was the price and amount that made me buy it. I like it, but I do wonder if they are as thorough cleansing and good for skin as the hot cloth cleanser I usually use xx
If I were to buy one I’d get the Garnier one, purely because you get more for your money.
http://thebravestindividual.blogspot.co.uk
Not sure which one was released first but it’s like most products, they’re made in the same warehouse and one gets a lower end packaging stuck on whereas the other gets put in high end packaging. Consumers get ripped off like you wouldn’t believe!
alicekatex ♥
Interestingly, these are made in different countries.
I’m not sure if proportions/concentrations where checked rather than just ingredients but I would suggest that given water is the largest component in both, that the Garnier is more dilute. This is a common difference between levels of product in all areas of skin/hair care, and could easily account for the difference in price.
I agree with Jax. Moreover I have tested both, and I do not feel very clean after the Garnier one. The sensation is much better with Bioderma and all I need afterwards is a light spritz of thermal water to feel completely fresh and ready for the night moisturizer.
Also it is nice to bring ingredients to people’s attention, I still think this review could be a tad less superficial.
lol
I’ve tried both and I feel like the Garnier one removes my mascara better than the l’oreal? But that aside I go for the Garnier one over l’oreal now anyway just because it’s the same price and lasts me much longer. I tend to use these to get the bulk of my makeup off-I normally cleanse my skin afterwards anyway so I’d always just go for whichever was the best value.
Interesting that they are essentially the same! I love discovering this kind of information. I managed to track down the Garnier one to the store Savers for £2.99. Incase anyone has that store near them, you can grab a bargain
http://www.letstalkbeauty.co.uk/
Well of course they’re the same! They’re from the same company. L’Oreal owns Garnier, Lancome and a zillion other brands.
I liked bioderma, so I bought the L’Oreal one and was really disappointed because it felt oilier. I bought the Garnier one earlier and I’m hoping to god that even though the ingredients are the same they differ in quantity so it avoids the oily residue. I do only use them to remove my make up before using the gym though, so not too much love lost either way.
Thank you for pointing this out though. Just goes to show how easily us consumers are led.
Charlotte – http://www.blotandreapply.com x