Micellar Water: What Is It and How to Use It?

Micellar Water: What Is It and How to Use It?

To talk about micellar water use is to talk about sensitive skin facial cleansing. And, in case you are one of those who have just discovered it, you should know that it has been on the market for many years and that it was originally designed for the most sensitive skins.

In this article, we will talk about the following topics:

  • What is micellar water
  • What is micellar water for?
  • Can I use micellar water if I have oily skin?
  • Micellar water and toner, are they the same thing?
  • What are micelles?
  • How to use micellar water
  • 1. You don't need to use more products
  • 2. Do not rub
  • 3. Use plenty of it
  • 4. Follow an order in the application

What is micellar water? 

Does the name sound a little strange to you? That is normal if you have never heard of micelles. Micellar water is an aqueous solution containing cleansing elements and surfactants (as in shampoo or shower gels). These are usually grouped to form a small globule or 'micelle' which has the special ability to bind to fatty elements at one end and aqueous elements at the other.

Thus, we have a very light product that, when in contact with the skin, the micelles that compose it open up and can retain the residues and impurities of the skin (sebum residues, dead cells, cream residues, air particles or pollutants), mostly particles of a greasy nature.

In turn, the aqueous part of the solution acts as a cleansing tonic, removing impurities. It is, therefore, a very effective cleansing product, very light, that leaves no greasy residue, and does not require rinsing.


What is micellar water used for?

Among micellar water uses is its ability to moisturize, refresh, clarify and tone the skin without causing any dryness or irritation.


Can I use micellar water if I have oily skin?

Yes, in fact, micellar water can be used on any skin type thanks to its high tolerance. However, there are some specific micellar water formulas for particularly sensitive skin.


Are micellar water and skin tonic the same thing?

Not exactly, since skin tonic is a product used to rebalance the skin's pH level after having used a cleanser on it. Micellar water, on the other hand, is a cleanser that tones the skin.


What are micelles?

To understand the science behind the uses of micellar water, it is necessary to talk about micelles and what they are. It must be said that micelles are molecular groupings with the ability to bind particles together in a specific way.

This formation is responsible for the ability of certain soaps to solubilize fats. Thanks to this property, micellar water can attract grease and dirt to bury it in the molecular clusters, leaving the skin clean in the process.


How to use micellar water?

In addition to explaining what micellar water is, here are a few tips on how to use it correctly.


  • You don't need to use additional cleansing products
  • In general, it is not necessary to use another product. Micellar water can be used to remove makeup from the face, eyes, and lips, and does not require rinsing, as its formula cleanses and tones the skin at the same time. Because of its high scrubbing power without the need to rub, it can be used on the eye area, as it provides maximum protection for this sensitive skin.

    In addition, as it is very attracted to greasy residues, it can easily remove red residues from the lips, an area that is difficult for makeup removal with other cleansing products. However, depending on the amount of residue, it should be used once or several times.

    If you have sensitive skin or want to increase the soothing and softening effect, you can mist the skin with thermal spring water after using the micellar water.

    This would only be part of the treatment ritual to reinforce the cleansing effect since by itself, as long as it is well formulated, micellar water is sufficient.


  • Do not rub
  • When we remove our makeup, we tend to wipe the cotton pad over our skin with excessive friction, as if we were rubbing the dishes. It is essential to know that, thanks to the way micelles work, it is not necessary to drag the cotton across the face. The micelles themselves are capable of capturing excess dirt, makeup, and sebum by simply touching the skin.


  • Use plenty of micellar water
  • It is important to be generous with the product so that it can properly generate its effects, so the cotton should be soaked in the right amount so that there is no need to rub excessively and the water does not slide down the skin.


  • Follow an order in the application
  • Although micellar water is suitable for all areas of the face, it is important to follow an order. Our recommendation: start with the eye area, with gentle pressure, and by sliding the cotton pad over the eyelids from the tear trough to the corner of the eye (one cotton pad for each eye, to avoid contamination between the eyes).

    Next, remove makeup from the eyelashes, from the roots to the tips. Remove makeup from the lips with another cotton pad, leaving the product on for a few moments to better and more gently remove lipstick. Finally, remove makeup from the center to the ends of the face, using light pressure and gentle dragging.

    In this way, the micelles open up, coming into maximum contact with the residues and absorbing them, which are then dragged away by the rest of the micellar solution.

    If there is any residue of eyeliner or mascara, we can put a little micellar water on a cotton swab and gently wipe it over these areas, using light rotating movements.


    Final Word

    Micellar water is a revolutionary facial skin cleansing product elaborated for extremely sensitive skin but can be used on any skin type as well. 

    It promotes deep skin cleansing, removing makeup, and all sorts of residue, such as greasy particles that can clog the pores.

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