I was browsing the shelves of Guardian pharmacy one day when I came across the Biore Perfect Cleansing Water. This was about a year ago (that’s how far back I’m backlogged LOL!) when I was messing around with different cleansing waters, and I went “Hey? Biore has a cleansing water too?” So, since it wasn’t terribly expensive, I picked up a bottle and stuck it in my “To-try” cupboard. Yes, I have a cupboard. Skincare, it’s a disease 😛
I have an interesting observation though. The one I have here is called Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Cleansing Water. However, I have seen reviews online for a similar product labelled Biore Makeup Remover Micellar Cleansing Water. Are they the same thing? Can anyone verify if they are?!
Either way though, I have to point out that this Biore cleansing water is a little more specific than the French cleansing waters, like Bioderma or Caudalie that tell you that it operates as a waterless face cleanser. This one is being marketed as a makeup remover, albeit a mild and gentle on skin one, and rightly so, to my mind.
I broke out this bottle when I had used up the last drop of my Dr. Brandt cleansing water (I’m actually finishing up a lot of products these days before moving on), and much to my surprise, I found that I quite liked this. That’s very healthy for my wallet too, so I’m not complaining!
The Biore Perfect Cleansing Water comes in a fairly large bottle with a convenient pump. To use, I usually saturate a piece of cotton pad and then wipe it over the parts of my face that need makeup removal i.e. all over.
If you are, at this point, wondering why I use a makeup remover or cleansing water when I’m such a strong advocate of cleansing balms or cleansing oils, the reason is simple. I don’t like, nor believe in 1 product doing everything even if it’s a balm or oil, and I don’t like using these products around my eye area. If you are concerned about wrinkles and crow’s feet, you wouldn’t too!
So, since I’m already using a separate eye makeup remover, it only made sense for me to extend it to the rest of my face. So for me, a cleansing water operates not as a first cleanse, but as a makeup remover. I honestly do not care a lot about how well it removes ALL my makeup, so long as it gets rid of MOST of my makeup, because I always follow on with a cleansing balm and then a second cleanse. Yeah, I lead a complicated life 😛
I do find that the Biore cleansing water removes my makeup fairly well. I don’t use thick eyeliner, but when I do use a liquid liner, I just have to hold the cotton pad against my lid for a while before wiping off and it’s clean. I don’t wear mascara so I can’t tell you how this works to remove waterproof mascara. However, it cleans off lipstick, eyeshadow, foundation and brow pencil quite well and easily without my having to rub at it.
The sticker on my bottle claims that this “instantly removes makeup” Well, don’t believe everything you read, kids. It doesn’t do it instantly, but it does remove makeup quite quickly. For my eyes, I hold it there for a bit before wiping off. Sometimes, my brows take a few more wipes but for my face, I usually get it gone in 1-2 wipes. So, not instant, but you don’t have to rub either.
There’s no scent and it doesn’t dry out my skin. I do follow up with my cleansing balm or just go straight to using a cleanser on lazy days so as I’ve mentioned above, I’m not particular about this getting off every scrap of my makeup.
As this touts itself as a makeup remover and not a facial cleanser, I will advise that you follow up with a rinse with water if you’re really really lazy (and why are you, pray? 😛 ) or better still, follow up with a cleanser. Treat this as your first cleanse if you want or be like me and just treat this as a makeup remover. But you know what, I treat ALL cleansing water as a makeup remover.
I know, people often ask me why I bother with an extra step when a cleansing oil or balm does the job in just one go. Well I have my reasons as I’ve set out above. But the other reason is because I don’t believe in micellar waters being a water-free facial cleanser.
For me, whichever micellar cleansing water I use, I always rinse off and follow up with a proper cleanser. I don’t believe in waterless anything if you really want to be clean. You don’t use a micellar cleansing water for your body do you? You take a shower. So, what would you do it for your face?! 😛 But I’ll preach about it another day.
For today, know that I’m happy with this very affordable cleansing water/makeup remover and that I’m happy to keep this in my rotation till I use up the last drop. You may see another in the future, heck I’m fickle. But if I don’t buy another, or be sent one I’ll go back to this one 🙂
IN A NUTSHELL
The Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Cleansing Water is a water based makeup remover that I find effective at removing most of my makeup. I am not fussed about residue because I always follow up with a cleansing balm or cleansing oil for a thorough cleanse, which is what I’d recommend. I do not recommend that you cleanse with this and nothing else. It isn’t drying, and has no scent. It’s also very affordable so I’m not fussed about picking up another bottle when I’m done with this one.
PROS: Affordable, Gentle texture, Removes most of my makeup effectively, No scent, Not drying
CONS: Pump often sprays product out at an odd angle if not careful
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants an oil-free makeup remover, Anyone who uses cleansing waters for their makeup removal
For anyone interested, here’s the ingredient list for the Perfect Cleansing Water.
Have you tried this Perfect Cleansing Water? Do you use cleansing waters as makeup removers or do you use it as a first cleanse/facial cleanser?
This goes on sale pretty often, based on what I see in the local pharmacies, so that’s when I’d picked up my bottle. It may also come in smaller sizes but I’m not sure about that. I’m quite happy with this as a makeup remover but if you know of an affordable one just as good, SHARE! 😀
Paris B
Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Cleansing Water Price: RM32.90 / 300ml (Often goes on sale for RM28.88 or so) Availability: Most local pharmacies or anywhere that carries Biore
I wish we have Biore in Philippines…same here I don’t wear mascara anymore 🙂 Thanks for sharing! I’m a huge fan of your blog 🙂
Thank you Anna! 🙂 Oh I thought you had Biore in the Phillippines! I maybe mistaken then and it’s nice to meet someone else who doesn’t wear mascara LOL
There is in PCX 🙂
Talking about backlogged! Hahahaha. I think if there is award I’ll win.. lol I loveee their wipes, thanks for the review shall pick this up soon! 😀
LOL! I think it’s a competition neither of us will win 😀 I’ve tried their wipes. Not bad and convenient, but gosh, I haven’t used a makeup wipe in erm… forever! 😛
I just bought this the other day! Biore seems to be one of the brands that work well for me. I’ve tried their sunscreen and all the other makeup removers, and all of them are quite decent. My favourite has to be the makeup wipes, my must have when I travel. I share your sentiments too – I always use another cleanser after cleansing water or micellar water. I guess I’m used to double cleansing.
Unlike you, Biore rarely works for me LOL Their sunscreen and cleansing oil broke me out like crazy although I think the wipes were ok. But this one’s all good and maybe it’ll work for you too 🙂 Double cleansing is definitely the way to go. I can’t imagine any other form of cleansing
What a coincidence! I bought this makeup remover too after I tried a tester unit. Really blown away by how great it is at removing makeup!
That was last year though haha! Haven’t gotten around to blogging about it yet.
Ah you’re just as backlogged as I am then! LOL! Honestly, I’m only backlogged coz new stuff keeps getting shoved in my face. But now that I’m turning away a lot of things, it’s easier to play around in my stash and rediscover things I thought I’d forgotten about… and then blog about them! 😉
I use this Biore Cleansing Water alternately with my Bifesta 🙂 i dont use only this though, I cleanse with facial cleanser after because I also do not believe in waterless facial cleansing :p I love this Biore Cleansing Water, mainly because it doesnt sting my eyes and it removes makeup easily as you mentioned, but definitely not instantly. Since I use mascara sometimes, I found that this cleansing water is able to remove them excellently but thick coatings will need a few (say, 3-4 swipes) to remove everything off my lashes. And there will be 2-3 lashes falling off, for me 🙂
Bifesta! That’s the other one I’ve been meaning to try. Do you prefer that to this Biore one? Lashes falling off is precisely why I’ve run away from wearing mascara. I already have so few, I can’t afford to lose anymore LOL
I am “lazy”. I prefer those that can be used directly on face and wash off. Like the Hada Labo one *wink*
Hehe… I have to give that Hada Labo one another go some day and see if I can come up with more than 5 lines eh? 😉
I will try this after I use up my Bioderma! I normally use cleansing oil for my makeup remover but on light days I use Bioderma.
Bioderma is so expensive here which is why I think it’s great there’s an alternative. Give this a go and see if you like it 🙂
PB I have to disagree with you, I’ve just realized my skin dislikes gels, foams, oils, etc in fewer words, anything that needs to be rinsed with water.
I’ve started using as my night routine cleansing milk + cleansing water and in the morning just cleansing water, my skin now is less dehydrated and even though I miss using water my skin feels better. In fact using first cleansing milk, makes me dissolve all the makeup and the cleansing water is more for the last traces and refresh.
And about not showering, when in a hurry or sick I may have just used baby towelettes instead of taking a shower *insert monkey emoji with its hands over its mouth*.
Hey Efrain, I’m glad someone disagrees because I’m never right about anything everytime right? 🙂 So sorry to hear that your skin doesn’t take well to other cleansers but I suppose if it works for you and doesn’t affect the quality of your skin then just keep at it. Using a cleansing milk first is a good idea. It’s still double cleansing just more gentle 🙂 It’s fine not to shower if you’re sick, I’m sure most of us feel the same way (I do drag myself to the shower anyway and it usually makes me feel better for a few minutes). But I’m going to be put in this situation soon of not being able to shower, so I’m taking your tips! 😉
Hi Paris. How does it compare to Bioderma micellar water in terms of effectiveness in removing makeup? I usually use Bioderma on days where I only wear sunscreen and follow up with a gel cleanser. On days when I do wear makeup, I always remove it using a face cloth and cleansing balm and followed up with a gel cleanser.
Hi Victoria, for me they’re the same. I no longer use Bioderma because after I finished mine, I refused to pay the local prices which are just mind bogglingly crazy high. So from memory, it’s the same. Cleans off makeup just as well and doesn’t strip my skin so all’s good! 🙂 I think they do a smaller sized bottle now so you can try that and see if you like it 🙂
it’s really wallet friendly! I am on my 2nd bottle of bioderma, also as my makeup remover for my entire face, especially my lips. I like how tasteless it is 😛 I bought a bottle of 500ml from a little shop in Tokyo, and cost me around RM50 only!!! Sadly, there was only 1 left and I never saw it anywhere again. When I run of it, I will need to go to the next available & cheaper option.
Tasteless LOL! I haven’t tried tasting this one but I think it’s fairly tasteless too. Bioderma is so crazy expensive here I don’t know how they expect it to sell especially when we already have other options like this one that works just as well! Good job on picking up one on your travels. Pity I won’t be able to find one on mine 😛
Yes,i have been using a few bottles already. I love how wallet-friendly it is and how well it removes my makeup!
Happy to meet another fan! I’m just glad it works so well because my wallet is now very happy too!
I have this but I far prefer the one by Bifesta. The Bifesta one is more efficient in removing makeup.
Ok I’m intrigued! I shall check out the Bifesta one once I’m done with this, or if I see it go on sale! 😀
Glad to learn from your review that it works well. Bought this a few months ago, and haven’t had the chance to try it yet. Mom has decided to take over. Before she uses up the last drop, I want to try it out for myself and compare it with other cleansers that I own…till then.
LOL!! Yes, quickly rescue it from your mom’s clutches! 😉
Hi Paris, another equally good water-based makeup remover is Purevivi Cleansing Lotion from Japan. Its name is lotion but it is actually as clear as water, and scentless and most importantly no alcohol, no oil, no paraben etc. My skin cannot stand any oily products so I am switching cleansing oil to water based ones. At RM48.90/500 mls, I think my wallet is grateful too 🙂 as compared to those few hundreds ringgits oil.
Ooh where can I get this Purevivi lotion? 😀 It sounds like an excellent deal! I might give it a go, after trying the much touted Bifesta 😀
I got mine over the counter from Sasa. You could also purchase online from http://www.tokyoninki.com/en/promotions/334-purevivi-cleansing-lotion.html 🙂
Wow, the cleansing water works so well too? I recently tried on their cleansing oil and it’s fantastic! I shall give their cleansing water a try too! Thanks for your review! <3