La Roche-Posay Solution Micellaire Physiologique Review

According to La Roche-Posay their Solution Micellaire Physiologique is "for gentle cleansing without water. 3-in-1: cleanse, tone, remove makeup."

Breakthrough Technology: "Micelles - micro-encapsulate dirt on skin's surface and lift it up without rubbing, thereby maintaining skin's physiological balance. Optimal safety on sensitive skin with Poloxamer, a cleansing ingredient so mild it is used in contact lens solutions. Effective to remove impurities while respecting skin's natural balance."

Their claim is that this cleansing water "cleanses, tones and calms the skin, while respecting its physiological balance" and it presumably means that it cleanses and neither strips, nor disturbs the acid mantle of the skin. It is extremely gentle and soothing, and my skin feels soft and smooth when I use it.

I love French pharmacy brands because they make me nostalgic for the time that I lived in Paris with family. I would rummage through their pharmacies like I was on a treasure hunt-- which is precisely what it was. My dad grew up in Paris before coming to the the US and we still have family there- so my attachment to France, and Paris specifically is deeply rooted in my own history, and living there profoundly informed who I am today. I am still thrilled when I see French pharmacy brands in US pharmacies, though the mystique certainly is lacking when they are no longer in situ- any way you add it up it's not quite the same seeing these brands at CVS compared to finding them in Paris. But I digress.

Solution Micellaire Physiologique is recommended for: All skin types including sensitive skin, redness-prone skin, dry skin
and dehydrated skin.

Benefits include: A gentle, mildly scented texture that wipes off with a cotton pad. With antioxidant La Roche-Posay thermal spring water to strengthen skin's natural defenses.
Physiological pH, Soap-free, Alcohol-free, Paraben-free, Safe for sensitive skin.

Key ingredients include:

1) Micelles - micro-encapsulate dirt on skin's surface and lift it up without rubbing, thereby maintaining skin's physiological balance.
2) Poloxamer - a mild cleanser use in contact lens solutions to cleanse even sensitive skin.
3) La Roche-Posay thermal spring water - antioxidant, strengthens skin's natural defenses.

Solution Micellaire Physiologique is an Allure Best of Beauty Favorite two years in a row:

2012 Allure Best of Beauty: Sensitive Skin
2011 Allure Best of Beauty: Sensitive Skin

Here's what I like about this particular cleansing water: It is a gentle soapless cleanser that I can use on my entire face on those nights when I am too tired to go through my whole nighttime routine. It effectively removes dirt, makeup and oil without any need to scrub. No rinsing is required, though more often than not I do rinse afterward. It leaves my skin soft and supple, and is so gentle that it doesn't even bother my sensitive eyes as so many makeup removers do. That said, it does contain fragrance and I am not fond of placing fragranced products near (or inadvertently in) my eyes. While I really do like Solution Micellaire Physiologique, the pronounced clean scent causes me to favor my Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water.

It is paraben and alcohol free.

Overall assessment: I like this cleanser a lot, but still objectively prefer my Koh Gen Do cleansing water because it doesn't have a fragrant smell. That said, I will more than likely replace this when I finish the bottle. I find using this product a bit of a nostalgic experience that transports me to Paris, and anything that makes me think of Paris makes me think of my beloved dad who gave me my love of Paris, French culture, art, film, and literature. However, it was my Parisian cousin who I credit for introducing me to French pharmacies when I was a teenager.

$20.95 for 6.76 fl. oz from CVS