About three years ago, photographer and style blogger Garance Doré declared that she was giving up water. Instead, she vowed to only wash her face with micellar water -- or French cleansing water. She even tried to keep her face dry when she showered.

When I first read her blog post, I thought it was extreme. At the time, the most popular micellar water was Bioderma Crealine H2O, and it was hard to find. (Makeup artists would come back from Paris Fashion Week with suitcases full of the stuff.) And that's because micellar water was almost exclusively available in French pharmacies. There were a number of different formulas, but they were all very similar: Oil and water are bonded together to create molecules caused micelles. These micelles dissolve dirt and residue that's sitting on your face -- it's a gentle yet effective way to clean your skin.

Fast forward to present day, and micellar waters are everywhere. Brands like Lancome and Dior have their own versions, and spin-offs -- micellars with special functions like brightening -- have also cropped up. Even American dermatologists are advocating the trend. "I don't wash my face," says New York City dermatologist Ellen Marmur, M.D. "I remove my makeup and then apply my treatment products. That's enough for me."

While the jury is still out on the perils of tap water (most dermatologists I know think water is just fine), I like the way my skin feels when I use micellar water -- it's soft and hydrated but still clean.

Now, if only they could figure out how to make micellar water come directly from the faucet -- and the showerhead. I know Doré would be thrilled.

Lancôme Eau Fraiche Douceur Micellar Cleansing Water Face, Eyes, Lips, $38, is infused with Rose de France to soothe irritation -- and it smells like the rose garden at Versailles.

In addition to its hydrating and cleansing properties, Orlane Brightening Micellar Water, $85, also contains arbutin to minimize dark spots. Surprisingly, it's still safe to use on your eyes, and it may even help to brighten up tired lids.

Thanks to anti-wrinkle pure lily extract, Dior Instant Cleansing Water, $37, also works to plump up fine lines while it cleans.

Decleor Aroma Cleanse Soothing Micellar Water, $33, contains Brazilian Candeia tree extract to soothe even the most irritated skin.