Every wondered what’s the secret behind French women’s moisturised-yet-not-oily complexions? Well I have two words for you—Micellar water. In recent years, micellar water has become a serious beauty game changer. A staple in French skincare routine, it’s known to cleanse and moisturise skin. To understand whether this skincare product is really worth the hype, we reached out to Dr. Geetika Srivastava, Dermatologist and Founder of Influennz Clinic, and asked her to share some information on what micellar water is, how it’s different from cleansers and moisturisers, and how exactly it benefits the skin. Read on to know all that she shared!
What Is Micellar Water?
Micellar water contains “micelles” suspended in de-mineralised water. Micelles by definition are microscopic spheres with an oil loving “tail” at one end and a water loving “tail” at the other. Therefore, micelles by definition can be both water and oil soluble. This property of micellar water is used in the skincare industry to dissolve oil-like substances from the skin (makeup, oil, dirt and impurities) as well as water-soluble substances. Micellar water usually contains mild surfactants and few hydrating ingredients like glycerin or aloe vera suspended in water.
Difference Between Micellar Water And Other Skincare Products
It often gets confusing, even for a skincare enthusiast, to understand the key differences between micellar water, face mist, toners and cleansers. An adequate understanding of these products will help one choose wisely.
Face mists
The key ingredient in a face mist are emollients AKA moisturising agents. These can be ceramides, glycerin, aloe vera to name a few. So, face mists are used for hydration only.
Cleansers and facewashes
These have surfactants and detergents in them to remove dirt and impurities. So, cleansers are used for cleansing only.
Toners
Toners have an alcohol base and have drying and astringent properties.
Micellar water has both the cleansing effect (due to micelles and mild surfactants in them) and the hydrating effect (owing to presence of glycerin) in it. Also, unlike a cleanser, micellar water need not be rinsed with water.
Benefits Of Using Micellar Water
1. Cleansing
Micellar water has mild surfactants that can dissolve oil, dirt, impurities and makeup. Hence, it can be used as a cleansing agent in isolation or as part of a double-cleansing ritual.
2. Hydration
Micellar water has hydrating properties due to the presence of glycerin-like substances, surfactants which are mild compared to facewashes, and water as its base (unlike a toner in which the alcohol content tends to dry out the skin).
3. It’s suitable for all skin types
Unlike conventional alcohol-containing toners that can be recommended only for oily skin type, micellar water can be a boon for dry, sensitive and even congested, acne-prone skin.
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