Like any skin care product, you need to have realistic expectations when using micellar water. It's great for cleaning minor dirt, notes board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michelle Lee. However, it doesn't penetrate the skin enough to give a deep cleanse.
There is technically no impact in the long run when using micellar water and not rinsing it off on skin that is compatible with it. Just be aware if your skin starts to look irritated, it won't necessarily mean you need to get rid of your micellar water—it just means you need to rinse thoroughly after using it.
Removes dirt and oil
Micellar water is typically used as a facial cleanser to help remove makeup, dirt, and oil from the skin. This is due to the presence of micelles, which are compounds that are highly effective at removing dirt and oil to keep skin clear.
'Micellar waters can be bad news for people with congested skin that's prone to breakouts,' advises Kerr. 'This is because the ingredients used in micellar waters leave a surface residue on the skin which can act like a film, blocking pores and disrupting oil production.
When it comes to skin types, micellar water is a universally friendly product, with formulas made for dry, sensitive, and combination skin. Board-certified dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D., says they're especially great for acne-prone skin types.
As well as removing makeup and cleansing skin, micellar water can be used to wipe off sweat after a workout or fix makeup mishaps. It's also a great option for keeping your face clean when you don't have access to water, such as when you're camping.
Generally, dermatologists and estheticians recommend washing your face both morning and night, but it's also important to take your skin type into consideration as well as lifestyle factors.
For extremely late nights when you're way too tired or drunk to perform a second cleanse, using a micellar water alone can easily wipe away most of the makeup and sebum off your skin – rather than falling asleep with a full face of dirt and oil ready to clog up the pores.
As a cleanser: To use micellar water, you simply pour it into a cotton pad and rub it over your face, like a toner. Then, just carry on with your skincare routine as normal—no need to rinse afterward. “Micellar water can replace any daily cleansing routine,” Luftman says.
Micellar water is a no-rinse cleanser that uses micelles, which act like a magnet to gently lift dirt and makeup off skin. You can use it alone or, if you want to incorporate it into your double cleanse method, as the first cleanse before following it with a foamy or milky cleanser.
3. Use It for Toning Your Skin. You can use micellar water as an all-over toner. “Micellar water actually draws out all the oil and dirt that can be found on the surface of your skin and rinses your pores,” says Evin.
If you work out first thing in the morning, washing is a must (after your workout of course, not before). If, however, you don't, then washing your face in the morning is completely a personal preference. Just be sure to at least rinse your face with water in the morning if you choose to forgo a full cleanse.
As the back of the bottle says, you should always apply moisturizer to clean skin—and for maximum results, shortly after cleansing, before your skin is totally dry. Moisturizers are most effective if you use them while your skin is still damp because damp skin absorbs the product more readily.
It protects your skin's natural barrier
Your skin works hard all night building its own natural barrier against the world (a layer of helpful oils keeps skin soft), so why strip it all away as soon as you wake up with a face wash? “Washing your face in the morning can strip your natural defense barrier,” says Carlen.
Micellar Cleansing Water will work with any cotton pad or cotton ball. However, for best results, we recommend using a large pad available at any drugstore (the kind sold in the tubes).
Face washing at night is most important, dermatologists say. It removes dirt, grime and pollutants that have gathered on the skin during the day, as well as makeup. Some doctors say people without a serious skin-care issue, such as acne, can skip the soap and just rinse in the morning.
By cleansing with water only, you're less likely to over-strip the skin's natural oil and therefore reduce the risk of damaging your skin barrier. Cleansing your face with water only not only reduces the oil-stripping action but also the physical rubbing action, which would reduce irritation to the skin.
Do you need to double cleanse if you don't wear makeup? First of all, no one has to double cleanse. But it isn't just beneficial for makeup wearers. Oil-based cleansers get rid of sunscreen and other oily substances that naturally build up on the skin.
“Warm water is always best as hot can strip the skin of its natural oils and cold does not allow the pores to open to remove dirt,” says Dr.
“If you're using the right products for your skin at night, there is really no need to cleanse in the morning. Simply splash the face with water to freshen up, and go straight in with your morning serums, moisturiser and SPF,” she said.
In short, both micellar water and toner almost does the same job of cleansing the skin, but micellar water is better than toner in removing makeup and hydrating the skin. But people with oily and acne-prone skin should prefer a toner over micellar water if they don't want their skin to break out.
Its natural glow improves every time, as all traces of makeup and impurities are removed from the pores within a few seconds, with the skin's moisture barrier intact. This is the greatest difference between tap water and micellar water: micellar water is specially designed for a healthy, balanced and radiant skin.
Use micellar water before anything else. It is the first step in your skincare routine. Pour some micellar water on a cotton pad and glide it over your face to clean it. Wash your face with a face wash and then go ahead and use a toner.
Ellinor Quay Coyne, a dermatologist based in Washington, DC, believes there is a benefit to using two different cleansers because of the scientific principle that “like dissolves like” — meaning that oil-based cleansers can better remove oil-based dirt, cosmetics, and residue, and water-based cleansers can better ...