Haven’t heard of micellar water before? Don’t worry, neither had we until recently and we’re kicking ourselves it took so long to find out about it. It’s so simple and works so well you wonder if it has magical properties. The best part is, now that it’s mainstream, it is also super affordable.
So, what is it? No, it’s not another fad beverage full of super nutrients. It’s a beauty product that can be used as a cleanser or makeup remover (or both) that requires no water. It’s just like a toner but doesn’t have soap or alcohol in it, so doesn’t strip the skin.
Vogue dubbed it the “cult beauty product that hydrates, cleanses, and gently removes makeup without overdrying”.
How it works
The reason why micellar water appears to have super powers can be explained by science.
Dermatologist Hadley King said in The Huffington Post: “Micellar water is made up of micelles (tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules) suspended in soft water”.
“Micelles are attracted to dirt and oil, so they are able to draw out impurities without drying out the skin,” she said.
These tiny oil particles remove makeup (including waterproof mascara) plus sebum and impurities without the need for harsh chemicals.
The story behind micellar water
Beauty experts are in consensus that “micellar water has been around for over a hundred years, first gaining momentum in France, where it was designed to help Parisians deal with the region’s infamously harsh water supply”.
It was so bad, someone developed micellar water so people could remove their makeup easily without relying on water.
“Obviously with technology and fancy soaps, it fell to the wayside,” skincare physician.
Tabasum Mir explained to The Huffington Post.
“But it has made a resurgence to become one of those on-set makeup artist, fashion show staples because it can remove an entire face of makeup without leaving oil behind like most makeup cleansers do.”
How to use it and where to get it
We still recommend washing your with a cleanser first to make sure your face ends up completely makeup free. Then it’s just a matter of soaking a cotton pad, or similar, with micellar water and gently swiping it across your face, just like you would use a toner. You’ll see the makeup streak off before your eyes.
That’s it. No need for aggressive scrubbing to get stubborn makeup off. You don’t even need to rinse the product off afterward. It dries quickly and then you’re free to spritz on your toner, if you use one, and moisturise.
Micellar water is now a mainstream product. There are many options available below the $10 mark. You can buy it at chemists, grocery stores and places like Priceline. Pretty much anywhere there’s makeup.
