My skin-care routine is an ever-revolving door of new products (such is the life of a beauty editor), but there’s a single product I’ve been in a committed relationship with for the better part of the past decade. I’ve used the same micellar water every morning (in lieu of a face wash) and night (as a makeup-removing first cleanse) since college, and really thought that what we had was forever.
But recently, someone suggested that I swap in Fresh Kombucha 2-in-1 No Rinse Cleanser & Prebiotic Treatment ($44), and I dumped my darling micellar water flat on its ass.
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As someone with a very dry complexion, I’ve always prioritized finding a cleanser that could effectively remove makeup and grime without stripping my skin. Micellar water is known as the GOAT for checking all of these boxes. It’s super gentle, and its only ingredients are water and microscopic oil molecules called “micelles,” which remove dirt while hydrating your skin. But though micellar water is great (it was truly an amicable breakup!), the Fresh Kombucha cleansing treatment is just, well, better.
Though the product resembles micellar water—it’s a clear liquid that you apply with a cotton round—it’s actually closer in nature to a straight-up cleanser. Or really, two cleansers, because it serves double duty as a makeup remover and a face wash, mitigating the need for a double cleanse. And what’s more, you don’t even have to rinse it off.
Its ingredient list includes soap berry peel extract, which works as a natural cleansing agent to remove dirt and impurities; kombucha, which is rich in antioxidants that brighten and smooth skin while defending against oxidative stress caused by pollution; and prebiotic inulin, which balances the skin’s microbiome so that it’s better suited to protect itself against environmental stressors.
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In other words? This formula does a whole lot more than just whisk away oil and makeup (though it does that pretty well, too). “Rather than just being an oil-in-water suspension, such as micellar water, this formulation contains ingredients that really balance the health of your skin by supporting a healthy microbiome environment,” explains Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “This ensures that the pH of your skin stays within the ideal window, keeping it calm and stronger over time.”
A quick refresher: Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5, and is happiest when it’s lingering around this slightly-acidic state. Most facial soaps, though, have a basic pH between 9 and 14, which derms say is “killer on your skin” because it sends it to the opposite side of the pH spectrum. Then, you have to use the rest of your routine to try and get back to that natural homeostasis, and it’s basically a roller coaster for your complexion. By using a probiotic-packed cleanser that keeps your pH balanced from the beginning, you can avoid this madness altogether.
Ever since I started using the treatment a few months ago, I’ve noticed that my skin is visibly brighter and just feels better—smoother, more supple, and less reactive. “It’s certainly a different animal than you’re used to,” says Dr. Nazarian. “I’m glad you discovered it!” And honestly? I’m sorry to my lovely French ex, but so am I.
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