Is Bioderma Hydrabio H2O The Best Micellar Water For Sensitive Skin?

Last Updated on March 12, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Did you know Bioderma Sensibio H2O isn’t the only micellar water Bioderma makes? That one is the most popular because it’s safe even for the most sensitive of skin types. But if your skin is on the drier side, Bioderma Hydrabio H2O is a better option for you. In this review, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about this micellar water, including how well it performs and when to use it, so you can make the best choice for your skin type:

What’s In Bioderma Hydrabio H2O Micellar Water?

PEG-6 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES TO CLEANSE SKIN

Micellar cleansing waters are basically soapy water. They are made up mostly of water (obviously!) and one or more surfactants. In the case of Bioderma Hydrabio H2O Micellar Lotion, this is PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides. It’s a mixture of mono-, di-, and tri- glycerides of caprylic and capric acids mixed with ethylene glycol used to carry oils into water-based systems.

Here’s how it works. Surfactants have two ends (or a head and a tail). The head is hydroliphic (attracts water and repels oils), while the end is lipoliphic (attracts oils and repels water). Oils and waters, like you probably know if you’ve tried to wash a greasy plate with water alone, don’t mix.

When enough surfactant is added to water, its molecules assemble into little groups called micelles. Their arrangement, though, isn’t random. The hydroliphic, water-loving heads are pointed outwards, towards the water, while the lipoliphic, water-hating tails face inwards, well away from it.

Enter cotton. Like the surfactants’ heads, cotton loves water too. So, when micellar water is poured onto cotton, the water-loving heads are instantly attracted to it. They firmly stick to the cotton, while the oil-loving tails are now pointing outwards, towards your face.When you massage the cotton onto your face, the tails are able to dissolve the oils in your makeup and the excess sebum on your skin.

GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN

The main difference between Bioderma Sensibio H2O and Hydrabio H2O? The latter contains a big dollop of glycerin. I’m not surprised to see it here. This micellar water is formulated for dry skin – and dry skin needs all the moisture it can get. It’s glycerin’s job to make sure it has enough. Glycerin is a humectant that draws water from the environment into the skin. The extra moisture plumps up skin, makes fine lines and wrinkles look smaller, and even gives the complexion a dewy glow.

Related: The Complete Guide To Glycerin In Skincare

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Texture

Lightweight to the point of being runny. It’s basically water with a slight silky feel when it hits the cotton pad, which makes sense given that micelles are just tiny oil molecules suspended in water.

Fragrance

Subtle and floral. It’s not going to smack you in the face the second you open the bottle, which is a good thing. If you’re sensitive to fragrance it’s worth patch testing first, but most people won’t even notice it’s there.

How To Use It

Soak a cotton pad in micellar water and gently wipe your face with it. No need to rinse off. Seriously, just swipe and go – that’s the whole point of micellar water. Just make sure your cotton pad is properly saturated, not just damp, otherwise you’re just dragging stuff around your face rather than actually removing it.

Packaging

A practical see-through bottle with a blue cap. The clear bottle is actually useful: you can see exactly how much product you’ve got left without having to shake it around guessing. The blue cap flips open easily and closes securely, so no random leaks in your bag. It’s not the most glamorous thing on your bathroom shelf but it does the job, and for a cleanser you’re going to go through pretty quickly anyway, that’s fine.

Performance & Personal Opinion

Bioderma Hydrabio H2O Micellar Water is similar to its Sensibio H2O cousin, only more hydrating. Just like Sensibio, it cleanses skin and removes makeup (as long as it isn’t waterproof) well. But, it leaves my skin that bit more hydrated after cleansing than Sensibio. It’s great to use on winter days when I need a quick cleanse that removes impurites without drying out skin. I only wish they hadn’t included a fragrance. Subtle and floral, it’s pleasant enough. But, with fragrances, there’s always the risk they may irritate someone’s skin. I’m relieved to report it didn’t cause any problems for mine.

Related: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Review

What I Like About Bioderma Hydrabio H2O Micellar Water

• Hydrating, makes skin softer and smoother
• Does a solid job removing non-waterproof makeup and impurities without stripping skin
• No rinse needed, so it’s genuinely quick and low-effort

What I DON’T Like About Bioderma Hydrabio H2O Micellar Water

• Has fragrance in it, which is an unnecessary risk
• Won’t touch waterproof makeup, so you’ll need a separate remover for that

Who Should Use This?

• People with dry skin who want a quick, fuss-free cleanse without their skin feeling tight afterwards
• Anyone who reaches for micellar water specifically on cold winter days when a full cleanse feels like too much
• Those who are already using Sensibio H2O but want something that leaves skin feeling a bit more comfortable post-cleanse

Not ideal if you wear waterproof makeup regularly, or if your skin is highly reactive to fragrance.

Does Bioderma Hydrabio H2O Micellar Water Live Up To Its Claims?

Price & Availability

$20.99 at Boots, Dermstore, Escentual, Face The Future, and Sephora

Do You Need It?

It’s not a must, but if you’re looking for a micellar water for dry skin, you can’t go wrong with it.