Double Cleansing with Rose Petals: Nuxe Micellar Water* & Cleansing Milk* Review

I have finally, FINALLY worked my way through that giant bottle of Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Cleansing Oil (featured here and here), and as luck would have it, the tube of NUDE Omega Cleansing Jelly (reviewed here) I was using along with it run out at the same time as well. That seemed like the perfect opportunity to try a new cleansing power couple: Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water* ($20 for 6.7 fl. oz, available at us.nuxe.com here and Ulta here) and Nuxe Comforting Cleansing Milk* ($20 for 6.7 fl. oz as well, available at Nuxe here and Ulta here), both from the brand's Rose Petal Facial Cleansers range, which is suitable for all skintypes including sensitive.

I'm a strong proponent of double cleansing my face at night: first to remove make-up and/or sunscreen, then to deeply clean the skin with a more nourishing product. I have not used a micellar water for a while - I believe the last one I tried was either Bioderma Hydrabio (I've also used the cult Sensibio in the past) or one from Avene; in general I prefer an emulsifying cleansing balm or oil to remove grime from my face. But I was willing to suspend judgement and see how effective Nuxe's version was at getting rid of that stubborn mascara and eyeliner.

The Micellar Cleansing Water comes in a simple plastic bottle with a flip top - very convenient and doesn't dump too much product onto my cotton square all at once. Something you'll notice right away with Nuxe's product is the fact that the liquid has a very slight yellow tint (unlike most other micellar waters that tend to be clear) and quite a strong soapy rose fragrance. I have said this in the past about other Nuxe's products and I'll repeat it here: yes, I would have preferred if the brand used less fragrance in their products or even skipped it altogether. However, it's not like I hate this scent - it really reminds me of soap I used to use at my grandparents' summer cottage when I was little; but more importantly, it doesn't irritate or aggravate my skin. So there's that.

Ingredients for Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water include rosewater, glycerin, allantoin and hyaluronic acid

As far as effectiveness goes, if memory serves me right, Nuxe's Micellar Water is just as good at removing make-up and left-over skincare as the overhyped Bioderma. Which for me is... unfortunately still not as good as just about any cleansing balm/ oil. Nuxe's micellar solution gets rid of all my face make-up quickly and without effort, but it doesn't quite dissolve all of my mascara and eyeliner. It gets rid of most of it - but I will usually still have some left right at the roots of my lashes. It's not my absolute priority to get rid of every last bit at this stage, since I'm following with another cleanser anyway, but I thought it's still worth mentioning. On the plus side, it doesn't sting or cloud my eyes, and leaves my face feeling soft and hydrated.

I then follow up with the Comforting Cleansing Milk, spreading one pump of product evenly across my dry face (or, well, slightly moist after wiping with the Micellar Water). Again, I find the design of the packaging to be both pratical and aesthetically pleasing. Unsurprisingly, the Cleansing Milk has the exact same scent as the Micellar Water but again, it's not a deal breaker for me personally. I will then massage the product briefly, concentrating on trouble areas such as my eyes or sides of the nose - some of it seems to absorb into my skin in the process - and then wipe off with a warm damp washcloth. I rinse the cloth and repeat several times to make sure I get as much off as I possibly can. In the mornings, I will also use the same technique with the Cleansing Milk, but it's a lot faster since I don't have any make-up to remove :)

Ingredients for Nuxe Comfort Cleansing Milk include rosewater, macadamia, coconut & sunflower oils, as well as glycerin and allantoin

I'm very happy with the results I get from the Comforting Cleansing Milk; it cleans my face effectively (I can see absolutely no left-over make-up on my washcloth after several passes) without stripping it of all moisture or disturbing its acid mantle. By the end of my cleansing routine, my skin feels smooth, plump and refreshed but without any residue or sticky feeling. Compared to another cleansing milk I was using recently, the Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk (reviewed here), I think the Nuxe's version is just as deep cleansing but somewhat more moisturizing, so I'd recommend it especially if your skin is normal to dry.

Out of the two products, I definitely prefer Nuxe's Cleansing Milk over their Micellar Water, but it's more due to my personal preferences than any fault of the product - I'm just still not a fan of these cleansing waters. However, if that's your thing - or you just need something super quick to cleanse your face when you don't necessarily have access to a sink and running water - Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water is a really good option.

How do you remove stubborn make-up at the end of the day? What is your favorite texture for a facial cleanser - gel, milk, oil or balm? I'd love to know!

Disclaimer: Products featured in this post are press samples I received from the brand's PR for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products were purchased with my own money or provided free of charge. Thank you for reading!