It’s not a toner, nor a cleansing milk. It’s definitely not a face wash. This year’s beauty hype – micellar water- is a skincare product that removes makeup and cleanses the skin, without the need for rinsing. Micellar waters have been widely available in French pharmacies for many years, and became a trend followed internationally when skincare enthusiasts, makeup artists and bloggers have sworn that once you try it for the first time, you won’t know how you lived without it.
Micellar waters first rose to fame in Paris, whose skin-conscious inhabitants welcomed the opportunity to swerve the bad effects that the city’s famously hard water had on their skin. Designed to be swept away with a cotton pad rather than rinsed off, micellar waters use micelle particles – tiny balls of cleansing molecules that float in water – to draw makeup (including waterproof mascara), sebum and impurities from the skin. The micelles are often suspended in thermal spa waters, which come direct from natural springs and are naturally mineral-enriched. Depending upon how much makeup you wear you may prefer to remove heavy eye makeup (eye-liner) separately, but since micellar waters are free of soap and alcohol they are a more gentle alternative to harsh face wipes, making them perfect for when you’re in a rush or for correcting makeup. A bonus is that many are fragrance-free.
Contrary to what you might at first think, the solution never feels oily and never stings, which means you can use it safely all over your face from forehead to chin.
Instead of your old hot cloth cleanse, you don’t need to rub at your face, causing redness and irritation. You don’t need to follow up with toner either. If you think of those nights when you’re really tired and just want to fall into bed without going through your normal nighttime regimen, you might be glad to have a bottle of this stuff nearby so you can at least easily remove your makeup. Just enjoy the clean, fresh sensation, then apply a suitable serum or moisturiser to your skin.
Micellar waters are great for travel or for situations where no running water is easily available. Whether you’re heading off on a camping trip, going to the gym, on a long-haul flight or just want the added convenience of a one-step cleansing process, micellar water means you don’t need to compromise your skincare routine.
Micellar cleansing water is especially suitable for all types of sensitive skin. There are many varieties available, including formulations for oily, dry or sensitive skins.