If you keep a bottle of Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water in your bathroom cabinet, it’s worth checking the bottom of it this week. Searches for this product have spiked across Scotland over the past few days, and for good reason — Unilever has recalled batches of the 730ml Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water after identifying a possible microbiological contamination risk that could cause eye inflammation.
Local outlets, including Glasgow Live and The National, picked up the story quickly, and it’s easy to see why: micellar water is a bathroom-cabinet staple, and “eye inflammation” is the kind of phrase that makes anyone reach for their bottle to check the small print.
What’s actually happened
The affected batches don’t meet the requirements of the EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation, and the product has been withdrawn from the market and recalled from end users by Unilever as a precaution. It’s a targeted recall, not a blanket one — most bottles of this cleanser on shelves right now are entirely unaffected.
Which batches are affected
Only one product and size is covered by this recall:
- Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water, 730ml
- Batch codes: 613841 or 613941
- Affected batches were sold through B&M, Home Bargains, and Savers
The batch code is printed on the bottom of the bottle. If your bottle is a different size (200ml or 400ml), or a 730ml bottle with a different batch code, it isn’t part of this recall — you don’t need to stop using it.
What to do if you have an affected bottle
If you’re holding an affected batch, stop using it and contact the official Simple customer careline to arrange a refund. You can find the full recall notice, including contact details, on Simple’s website. If you bought it from B&M, Home Bargains, or Savers, you can also return it directly to the store. simple
Why this matters for your skin (and eyes)
Micellar water sits close to the eye area for extended periods during cleansing, which is exactly why bacterial contamination in this type of product is taken seriously — even minor eye surface irritation can escalate if it’s not addressed. If you’ve used an affected batch recently and are noticing redness, stinging, discharge, or persistent irritation around the eyes that doesn’t settle within a day or two, it’s worth having it looked at rather than waiting it out. As a HIS-regulated clinic, we’d always rather see you for a quick check than have something minor turn into something that needs more involved treatment.
A gentle reminder on cleanser hygiene generally
Recalls aside, this is a good prompt to revisit a few basics:
- Don’t decant micellar water or cleansers into unlabelled bottles — you lose the batch traceability if something like this happens
- Replace cotton pads each use rather than reusing them
- If a product changes colour, smell, or texture, stop using it regardless of recall status
FAQ
Is all Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Water affected?
No. Only the 730ml size with batch code 613841 or 613941.
I don’t remember which retailer I bought it from — how do I check?
The batch code on the bottle bottom is what matters, not where you bought it. Check that first.
What if I’ve already used the product and have no symptoms?
You likely have nothing to worry about, but discard or return the bottle as a precaution.
Can eye irritation from a contaminated product cause lasting damage?
Rarely, if treated promptly. Persistent redness, pain, or vision changes warrant a same-day check with a clinician rather than waiting.
Concerned about a reaction?
If you’ve experienced irritation after using this product, or any skincare product, our clinicians in Morningside are happy to take a look. Do not wait to book your free consultation.