BIODERMA Sensibio H2O eye Waterproof Make Up Remover

BIODERMA launch Sensibio H2O eye 

I was very much hoping (and to be honest, expecting) that this biphase micellar waterproof makeup remover would hit the same standard of excellence that I have come to expect from BIODERMA, enabling me to add one more top-quality eye makeup remover to my routine.

BIODERMA are one of my most trusted skincare brands

I frequently recommend BIODERMA to anyone looking for high quality, effective skincare that is attractively packaged and sensibly priced. They hold the distinction of having invented the first micellar cleansing water, back in 1991. (Click this link if you want to know more about micellar solutions and how they work).

Water is good for rinsing, and it can clean if you rub hard enough, and if the thing you’re rubbing isn’t too dirty. But micellar water actually cleans: no soap or other agent required, and you don’t have to rinse it off afterwards. Micellar cleansing water is bottled convenience, and nice to use. Although BIODERMA have been much imitated in this field, I don’t believe that they have been bettered. Because BIODERMA are innovative, affordable and super-reliable, I have a professional interest in anything that they bring to market.

I also have a personal interest in the brand. I’ve bought and enjoyed BIODERMA sunscreen, moisturiser, and micellar water since first discovering the brand via BeautyMART back in 2012. I’m always impressed with how consistently well the products deliver on their promises. I like the packaging and presentation: simple and clear, with nice fonts and pretty but practical colour coding to signal what’s right for differing skin concerns.

Although I am most familiar with the Sensibio line, formulated for sensitive skin, I rate the other BIODERMA ranges highly too. At the time of writing I’m following (and funding) the skincare regime of someone dear to me. I introduced them to Dr Marine Vincent at the French Pharmacy, as a source of expert and friendly appraisal and advice. At their most recent consultation they chose two products from  the BIODERMA Sébium range (photo above) to support their skin and navigate desired changes as they learn to manage some age-appropriate acne. 

The new addition: BIODERMA Sensibio H2O eye

As you might expect for something that’s going to tackle waterproof and long-wear make-up, BIODERMA Sensibio H2O eye is a biphase makeup remover.

Bi-phasic skincare products have two distinct ‘states of matter’ or ‘phases’ within one container: in this case, an oily part and a water part. The two phases are designed to be mixed together at the point of use, and they separate again afterwards because (as we remember from the useful cliché), oil and water don’t mix. The oil will always sit on top of water, which is why you need to shake a biphase product before use, like a bottle of Orangina. So, (again, my layman’s description) once shaken, applied to a cotton pad and gently pressed to the skin, the oily phase will break down and dissolve your make-up and then one or two very, very light sweep of the pads should see the water phase take the broken-down make-up and oil off your skin.

The formulation of  BIODERMA H2O eye is 70% blue (the water part) to 30% white (the oily part). I think that most biphase eye make up removers (like my La Roche-Posay Respectissime) have a higher oil to water ratio.

The BIODERMA product can use less oil because the water element is BIODERMA micellar water, so that’s doing some of the heavy lifting, and not leaving all the hard work to the oil. If (like me) you have struggled to find a biphase makeup remover that you enjoy using, this difference alone might make the BIODERMA one worth trying.

BIODERMA Sensibio H2O eye tried and tested

BIODERMA had helpfully set up little dressing tables at the launch party so that you could try the product then and there, so I did. I’d gone out wearing my usual ‘not very much’ eye make-up, which on this night happened to be a smear of GOSH Copenhagen eye shadow stick in pink, a thin line of  Eyeko liquid eyeliner in Cocoa, Maybelline Great Lash mascara in black (upper lid and lashes only) and some (very old) Benefit brow gel. 

The whole lot came off one eye cleanly, just by applying a little of the eye makeup remover to a cotton pad, pressing it gently against the closed lid and brow and then lightly sweeping off with just two strokes of the pad.

I didn’t want to hog the table, so I continued my night with one naked eye and one made-up one, feeling pleasantly like a pirate. If you’re thinking ‘but that’s hardly any make-up at all! You could probably get that off with spit and a tissue!’, this is true.

However – inspired by watching MUA Andrew Gallimore remove the make-up of Alfie Ordinary at the launch party – over the last week I have been piling on all my darkest, most glittery, and most tenacious eye make-up in an attempt to test the limits of BIODERMA Sensibio H20 eye.

And tested again and again …

BIODERMA Sensibio H2O eye has managed to remove everything I’ve thrown at it over the last few weeks with ease, including my favourite 80s eyebrow look: black mascara applied over the brow in a straight blocky line, Max Wall style. Even getting that off didn’t require hard rubbing, or more than two swipes.

TLDR:What’s the verdict? 

BIODERMA Sensibio H2O eye (and the original Sensibio H2O micellar water) leave your skin feeling prepped and refreshed. Which makes either (or both) a perfect choice if you want to re-apply make up and hit the tiles, rather then slide between the sheets with a good book or friend. But! These are ‘leave-on’ products with no rinse required, so you can absolutely use them as your take-the-day-off cleansing option and fall straight into bed for a good night’s sleep too! 

What’s the price?

BIODERMA Sensibio H2O eye Biphasic Micellar Waterproof Makeup Remover has an r.r.p. of £12 for 125 ml

BIODERMA Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Makeup Remover comes in three sizes

100ml – r.r.p. £5.30 (cute chubby bottle, very portable)

250ml – r.r.p. £11 (standard dressing table size)

500ml – r.r.p. £16.10 (impressive-looking demi-litre bottle, very good value if you love it and know you will get through loads of it)

Where can you buy it?

BIODERMA products including  BIODERMA Sensibio H2O eye are available online at Look Fantastic