Last Updated on August 26th, 2020
By Dr. Jaggi Rao, MD, FRCPC, Double board-certified dermatologist
Have you always dreamed of a special potion which would both cleanse and tone your complexion at the same time? If this dream has always seemed out of reach, get ready to finally exchange your collection of various cleansers and toners for the water-based solution to rule them all. 💧✨ We thus present you with….micellar water!
Micellar water was a thing of myths until recently, but it has finally become the widespread phenomenon it deserves to be. It is no surprise that it first became popular in France, the center of European fashion.
Why is micellar water so special? It basically provides a three-in-one solution for 👩🏻🦱 👩🦳 👱♀️ 👩🦰 👧🏿 every girl’s busy evening routine – it takes make-up off more efficiently than many types of cleansing creams, it deeply cleanses your skin of bacteria and dirt, and it even tones your face for a fresh start the next morning. If this wasn’t enough, micellar water is incredibly light and gentle on your skin – after all, it looks just like clear water!
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Micellar water is indeed based on water that has been entirely purified, and mixed with components like glycerin, which serve to deeply moisturize your skin. It also makes use of tiny amounts of very light surfactants. These surfactants are the reason why we call it micellar water – they form small micelles which essentially represent tiny magnetic spheres that pick up excess oil and any dirt you may have gathered during your day. Therefore, what happens when you drip a few drops of the water onto a cotton pad is that these micelles remain stuck to its surface, attracting all of the germs and make-up that happen to be loitering on the surface of your face. That sure sounds like a magic potion to us!
What’s more, you don’t even have to wash your face afterwards. The mild components of micellar water are gentle enough 👌 to be able to remain on your skin and essentially hydrate it in that way.
Why is all of this especially valuable for those of us that struggle with acne on a daily basis? First of all, it is of significant value to keep close track of the products you use when you have a tendency for recurring breakouts. You should have quality products, and not too many of them. Ensure that these products’ formulas are as basic and plain as possible – meaning that they do not contain too many ingredients.
Furthermore, sensitive skin needs to strike a balance between its oiliness and dryness levels. This means that it should be neither too oily nor too dry, but it should still have a bit of both.
When you use micellar water to cleanse your skin, you are indeed removing excess oils, but you are in no way draining your complexion of the necessary, natural moisture that your sebaceous glands provide.
This is important, because as soon as these glands notice a complete lack of natural oils, they go into overdrive, producing far too much oil which then proceeds to get trapped in the pores, causing pimples.
One of the key tasks of dealing with acne is thoroughly cleansing the affected area, and micellar water does this efficiently and without any side effects. Moreover, it is very important ✔️ that skin with a tendency to break out is kept moisturized at all times, but not with excess natural oils – and that is exactly what this product does.
Last but not least, the formula is so light that it in no way affects your skin besides deeply cleansing and hydrating it. This means that you can, for example, even bring it with you to the beach 🏖️🌞 and use it before and after reapplying sun protection, as it will suck the oiliness of the sunscreen out of your pores.
A key characteristic of acne-prone skin is its tender sensitivity. That has probably caused you multiple headaches when trying to pick a suitable daily cleanser. The Mustela Cleansing Water is one super mild product which is based almost entirely on natural components such as avocado and the trusty aloe vera. Naturally, no parabens are used in the making of this water. Additionally, it has been specifically designed to not induce any sort of allergic reactions.
If you’re looking for all-natural micellar water, we recommend Derma E Vitamin C Micellar Water. It is specifically designed to help brighten your skin with an infusion of vitamin C and rooibos (an African plant full of acne-fighting antioxidants). It’s made with entirely natural ingredients and it functions amazingly when it comes to removing excess moisture.
Another incredible soothing micellar water is the Vichy Purete Thermale 3-in-1 Micellar Cleansing Water. It is incredibly calming for your complexion due to its vitamin B5 and 🌋 volcanic water buildup. This means that it is full of minerals that cleanse and tone your face, while rejuvenating it in its entirety. Of course, it comes free of parabens and alcohol.
Feeling like your skin is too oily and that this is the main cause for your breakouts? Go for the mattifying Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Water which reduces your natural moisture to the appropriate level for avoiding frequent breakouts. It softens your skin without reinforcing its need for sebum, and it comes with no parabens as well.
If you tend to hide your acne behind a lot of heavy make-up then your best bet is the Korean Neogen Dermalogy Rosewater. 🌹 It has the potential to remove substantial make-up debris, including heavy coats of mascara. Your waterproof make-up will also present no problem for its tough formula.
One more micellar water that is great at removing make-up is the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water which is specially designed for an oilier complexion. It is particularly good at removing more stubborn cosmetics, such as eyeliner and mascara, without forcing you to rub your skin to get them off. Additionally, it is a great multi-tasker, as it thoroughly cleanses your face while exfoliating redundant skin and deeply toning your complexion.
Are you dealing with old acne scars? Believe it or not, there is a micellar water that is able to help you with that!
Dr.Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Water aims to tone and refresh your skin, while brightening any spots you may have from old breakouts. It serves to diminish scarification and help your complexion be reborn. It is infused with willow bark, rose petals and royal jelly, as well as sake and yeast that has been allowed to ferment – making it even more potent than usual.
If you often find yourself craving relief on the go, your solution is the Simple Makeup Removing Wipes with Micellar Water. 👍🏻👍🏽👍🏿 Despite being in the form of wipes, this product is light and gentle and it allows you to cleanse your skin without having to rub it fiercely.
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