I will admit, there is something to be said for new products. From the time I was first introduced to a toner, I’ve always been looking for a way to add a little something extra into my skin care routine. I now use a cleanser, toner, daytime antioxidant serum, nighttime retinol serum, moisturizer, facial masque, exfoliant, weekly AHA treatment, eye treatments, and lip treatments — and am still looking for more!
Micellar water is an interesting one. A longtime staple in France, micellar water lives up to its claim: An all-in-one cleanser, it removes makeup, purifies the skin and tones to boot. It does not need to be rinsed off. Simply sweep the face with a soaked cotton ball, and voilà.
Scientifically, what is micellar water?
Scientifically speaking, micellar water is a low-foaming cleanser. Micelles are nothing more than cleansing molecules that attract dirt and oil.
Products like Simple Cleansing Micellar Water generally contain a quick-penetrating glycol in a watery base. Other ingredients are added for nutrient benefit, like skin-strengthening panthenol and skin-brightening niacinamide. The pH is balanced out with tetrasodium EDTA, citric acid, and potassium chloride.
Is there a best micellar water for each skin type?
Yes. Since micellar water is basically a cleanser and toner in one, there are specific ingredients that will aid different skin concerns:
- Best for skin brightening and anti-aging: [easyazon_link identifier=”B00F444E1I” locale=”US” tag=”cosmeticswiki-20″]REN ROSA CENTIFOLIA™ 3-IN-1 CLEANSING WATER[/easyazon_link]. I love this formulation, with skin-refining AHA lactic acid, along with comforting rose water. It’s a beautiful formulation, and you might as well refine the skin with something potent like lactic acid if you’re going to use a micellar water!
Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Lactic Acid, Citronellol, Geraniol, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract.
- Best for skin sagging: [easyazon_link keywords=”Perricone MD Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment” locale=”US” tag=”cosmeticswiki-20″]Perricone MD Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment[/easyazon_link]. With skin-firming copper peptides and antioxidant carnitine, this is a solid bet.
| Water/Aqua/Eau, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-33-Buteth-45, Carnitine, Cetrimonium Chloride, Carbomer, Roe Extract, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Urea, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Copper Citrate, Betaine, Dimethyl MEA, Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphate Buffered Saline, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate |
- Best for Oily Skin: Lancôme [easyazon_link identifier=”B00D7XK9IU” locale=”US” tag=”cosmeticswiki-20″]EAU FRAÎCHE DOUCEUR Micellar Cleansing Water for Face, Eyes, Lips[/easyazon_link]. This formula doesn’t contain oils like the others do. It leaves the skin feeling softly cleansed, without any oily residue or extra hydration that you don’t need!
Water, Hexylene Glycol, Glycerin, Poloxamer 184, Dihydrocholeth-30, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Benzyl Salicylate, Propylene Glycol, Fragrance, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Edta, Rosa Gallica Extract/ Rosa Gallica Flower Extract.
- Best for Dry Skin: [easyazon_link identifier=”B00T8M2Y32″ locale=”US” tag=”cosmeticswiki-20″]Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear™ Micro Water[/easyazon_link]. One cause of dry skin is that skin naturally produces and preserves less oils as you age. This micellar water is chalk full of hydrating oils that mimic skin’s natural oils, leaving you hydrated. But there is still enough treatment ingredients to leave dry skin primed for the next steps, including skin-brightening yeast extract and Galactomyces ferment filtrate. I recommend it!
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Madecassoside, Rice Ferment Filtrate (Sake), Pearl Powder, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Caprylyl Glycol.
- Best on a Budget: [easyazon_link keywords=”Simple Cleansing Micellar Water” locale=”US” tag=”cosmeticswiki-20″]Simple Cleansing Micellar Water[/easyazon_link]. With vitamins B and C, cleansing agents, and penetration enhancers, Simple Cleansing Micellar Water is good enough to get you started on the micellar water path. I personally keep mine in my gym bag — a few cotton balls later, I feel refreshed!
Bottom Line
For cleansing and toning in one simple step, I do like micellar waters. They are gentle and don’t strip the skin of oils like many toners alone do.
One caveat: I don’t like any of the micellar waters currently on the market for very oily or acne-prone skin. If you have acne, I highly recommend that you use a salicylic acid cleanser, or another potent traditional cleanser, and tone separately. Cleansing and toning is extremely important for keeping P. acnes under control, and using micellar waters alone might not be enough.