In our age of waterproof everything (mascara, eyeliner etc) coupled with make-up setting spray, the humble make-up remover does have its work cut out.
However, the job of an oil-free make up remover is much harder: it should have ingredients that are friendlier to acne prone skin. Therefore, less/no oil in its formulation.
We are here to find out if can Nivea deliver (a miracle?) because I know the Boots No 7 equivalent cannot remove make-up (see LINK).
It’s important that you note that this is not a micellar water or a facial cleanser. Therefore, you must wash your face, ideally with a cleanser, after you’ve used it.
(You can read about the technical detail on how micellar water or facial cleansers work at this BLOG).
Before photo
After applying a plethora of waterpoof, pigmented, matte and shiny and mainly black make-up, my forearm looked like this:
(Products used are: Kay Beauty eyeliner/eyeshadow, Tom Ford under eye concealer, Tom Ford Emotion Proof eyeshadow, Maybelline colossal kajal, Givenchy waterproof mascara, Pat McGrath eyeshadow, Bobbi Brown black eyeliner (the one from the pot) and Jane Iredale eyeshadow).
The product is an actual gel and it feels a bit sticky in only the way gels do. There is no notable fragrance.
I pressed down a pre-soaked (in the make-up remover) cotton pad on the above patch and counted to 5. Finally, I wiped over this area (quite firmly) exactly 4 times.
After photo
I didn’t think it was humanly possible for a make-up remover to deliver worse results than No 7’s oil free eye make-up remover. Clearly, NIVEA MicellAir has succeeded at this task, as most of the eye make-up remains on my forearm, including the glittery eyeshadow. This is certainly my first product that really delivers close to zero.
Would I buy this again?
No. Use one of the top micellar waters I have tested (click on this LINK) or even Nivea’s micellar water (tested at this LINK).
P.S. The ingredients and formulation
The formula does indicate sufficient solvents (to dissolve the dirt and grime) and micellar cleansing agents (to roll up the oily grime). I guess, that there are insufficient quantities of each of the above for the product to be truly effective..
Surfactants/cleansing agents: This product has Poloxamer 124 and Decyl Glucoside, both of which are surfactants (cleansing agents) and are more commonly found in micellar waters…as I am risk averse when it comes to my skin, I am going to go with washing my face after using this product.
Solvents: water, propylene glycol, pentylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol (solvent for other ingredients),
Moisturising agents: glycerin, propylene glycol, sodium hylauronate, pentylene glycol
Preservatives: Phenoxyethanol and Cetrimonium Chloride