Versus

CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water Versus COSRX Low pH Niacinamide Micellar Cleansing Water

Makeup Remover
Makeup Remover
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe makeup removers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Smoothing

Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.

And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.

You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.

In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.

If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.

In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).

Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.

Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.

The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

When to use

167 Routines
34% use in am
66% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
1,437 Routines
24% use in am
76% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water 19 ingredients

4.8 /5
from 4 ratings
No Scent (4) Works Well (4) Hydrating (3)
michelle_mabelle's avatar

Michelle MaBelle

8 months ago
Review

TL;DR: Gentle micellar water with very lipid-nourishing ingredients for your skin barrier. Affordable. Non-stripping.

Note: The toner sibling of this product doesn't play well with a lot of people's skin, but please don't let this deter your from trying this; it's really, really good!

I found this on Skinsort after trying to find something with similar ingredients to my beloved Preparation Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#no scent
sword's avatar

sword

26 days ago
Review

I use this instead of an oil cleanser for my first cleansing step since this doesn't break me out. It has a nice slippery texture that helps with removing spf, sebum, etc, but it doesn't leave any residue when I rinse it off.

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#no scent

COSRX Low pH Niacinamide Micellar Cleansing Water 16 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 28 ratings
Works Well (17) Light (16) No Scent (15)
Clover's avatar

Clover

12 months ago
Review

My favorite way to cleanse in the morning!
I have dry but acne prone skin, so I really wanted to find a way to cleanse my skin in the morning without also stripping my skin of every ounce of moisture it has. I’ve been testing micellar waters for awhile now, but so far this one by COSRX is my favorite! It feels a little more hydrating than some of the others I’ve tried (Bioderma and Garnier), and Show more

#hydrating
#no scent
#works well
zambopadre's avatar

Zambo Padre

9 months ago
Review

One if the best micellar/cleansing water I've tried, doesn't feel drying and won't irratate sensative skin, I have oily sensative skin and I'm also acne prone.

Only use it when you have makeup spf or when your skin is really oily otherwise just use your gel or foam cleanser. And this cleansing water is also !!fungal ance safe!! what more can you ask for.

#great value
#hydrating
#no scent
#works well