The main comparison here is between the US Sensibio H2O and US Garnier pink cap formulas; Garnier's Mattifying, Waterproof and UK Vitamin C versions, and Bioderma H2O AR, are different products. Garnier Micellar Water is a family of cleansers, not one formula wearing several hats.23

What actually differs?

DetailBioderma Sensibio H2O, USGarnier pink cap, US
Main purposeCleansing, face and eye makeup removal, and soothingCleansing, makeup removal, and refreshing
Skin typesAll skin types, with a sensitive skin focusAll skin types, including sensitive
FragranceUnfragrancedFragrance free
Formula detailsIncludes cucumber extract, mannitol, xylitol and rhamnose; pH around 5.5Uses micelles to lift dirt, oil and makeup
FinishDesigned to stay on without rinsingDescribed as clean and refreshed without greasy residue
Daily directionsCotton pad, morning and/or evening; no rinsePad, morning and evening; no rinse
Price checkUS listed range: $6.99 to $21.99 across bottle optionsCheck the retailer price for the exact pink cap bottle
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Compare equal bottle volumes before deciding which costs less. Bioderma offers several sizes and a pump option, so its starting price is not the price of every bottle. A smaller bottle can win the price tag contest without winning the value contest.1

Which should you pick?

For a fragrance free everyday cleanser, either Sensibio H2O or Garnier pink cap fits the brief. Sensibio adds a specific soothing focus. Its US makeup removal test reported 99% removal in 10 volunteers, while 90% of 400 participants reported less unpleasant sensation after 28 days. Those results are not a comparison with Garnier, so they do not make Sensibio the automatic winner.1

For waterproof mascara or longwear makeup, pick Garnier's blue cap Waterproof version rather than its pink or green cap cleanser. The blue cap formula has two phases and is specifically designed for stubborn makeup. Bioderma tells you to let a soaked pad sit on the eyelids for a few seconds for heavy or longwear makeup.24

How do you use them?

  1. 1Soak a cotton pad with Sensibio H2O, or saturate a cotton or reusable pad with Garnier.
  2. 2Gently wipe to cleanse and remove makeup without harsh rubbing. Use Sensibio on the face, eyes and neck.
  3. 3Leave the cleanser on. Neither standard formula requires rinsing, and both can be used daily in the morning or evening.
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Do the other versions change the answer?

Garnier's US green cap Mattifying version targets oily and combination skin. It is oil free and fragrance free, but contains denatured alcohol for a quick drying finish. Its listed MSRP is $11.99 for 13.5 fl oz. For this version, remove contact lenses before use and rinse with water if the product gets into your eyes.5

Garnier's UK Vitamin C version contains ascorbyl glucoside, a vitamin C derivative, plus glycerin and fragrance. Choose it for its brightening focus, not as a substitute for a fragrance free formula. Garnier directs you to gently press and wipe over the face, eyes and lips until no further residue comes off onto the pad, without rinsing.6

German Sensibio H2O is also unfragranced and requires no rinsing. German H2O AR is a separate version for reactive skin with redness and includes additional aloe, ginkgo and green tea extracts. Check the ingredients on your own bottle before buying a replacement: Bioderma and Garnier both update their ingredient lists.1367

Where this answer comes from

  1. 1Sensibio H2O Micellar Water | Cleansing, make-up remover water for sensitive skinbioderma.us
  2. 2Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water for All Skin Typesgarnierusa.com
  3. 3Sensibio H2O AR | Mildes Mizellen-Reinigungswasser Anti-Rötungen, empfindliche Hautbioderma.de
  4. 4Sensibio H2O Micellar Water | Cleansing, make-up remover water for sensitive skinbioderma.us
  5. 5Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Mattifying for Oily Skingarnierusa.com
  6. 6Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Vitamin C*garnier.co.uk
  7. 7Sensibio H2O | Mildes und beruhigendes Mizellen-Reinigungswasser für empfindliche Hautbioderma.de