Perceived as a simple, non-abrasive, and quick way to achieve clean skin, micellar water first gained popularity in France, where it was created. Today, this product, which resembles water, has been adopted by the majority of skincare brands. But what benefits does the skin derive from its use? Continue reading to discover why micellar water is so highly valued.
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What are the benefits of micellar water?
Summary
- Benefit No.1: Micellar water easily removes makeup and cleanses the skin
- Benefit No. 2: The micellar makeup remover lotion promotes skin hydration
- Benefit No. 3: Micellar solution is suitable for all skin types
- Benefit No. 4: The micellar formula requires no rinsing
- Benefit No.5: Micellar water is portable and convenient
- Sources
Published January 9, 2024,
updated on January 10, 2025,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
4 min read
Benefit No.1: Micellar water easily removes makeup and cleanses the skin.
Themicellar water is typically used as a makeup remover and facial cleanser to help rid the skin of makeup, dirt, dead skin cells, excess sebum, and other impurities, leaving the skin clean. This is due to the presence of surfactant molecules in the liquid that self-assemble to form micelles.
Micelles are tiny droplets that magnetically attract and trap skin impurities. These spherical structures have two ends: a chain that attract water, facing outwards, and a core that attracts fatty substances, oriented inwards.. This allows the micelles to be suspended in the aqueous solution, and to attract and bind with the fatty substances they come into contact with, gently removing them from the skin.
Benefit No. 2: The micellar makeup remover lotion promotes skin hydration.
In addition to ensuring skin hygiene, micellar water hydrates the skin. A hydration efficacy test even revealed that micellar water has the ability to immediately increase skin hydration, and that this benefit persisted for over four hours. Indeed, most micellar formulas contain hydrating compounds, such as humectants like the glycerine, which has been shown to help the skin retain moisture effectively. Studies have shown that the topical application of glycerine has helped to increase hydration of the skin's upper layer, improve its natural barrier function, and reduce skin irritations and inflammations.
To maintain the skin's natural hydration balance during cleansing, our 7-ingredient micellar water includes glycerine and pentylene glycol in its formula.
Benefit No. 3: Micellar solution is suitable for all skin types.
Although it is particularly recommended for individuals with dry, acne-prone, sensitive skin, or those suffering from skin conditions such as rosacea, all skin types can benefit from micellar water. According to a study, no difference in irritation potential was found between the control (water) and a commercially available micellar water.
Indeed, it has a gentle formulation and does not contain ingredients that could potentially irritate the skin, such as soaps, essential oils, and alcohols. It has also been demonstrated that glycerine, one of the main components of micellar water, can help to reduce skin inflammation and irritation.
Free from fragrance or essential oils, our micellar water has a minimalist formula with only seven ingredients to safely remove makeup from the face, eyes, and lips.
Benefit No. 4: The micellar formula requires no rinsing.
A unique advantage of micellar water is that, unlike other traditional makeup removers/cleansers, there is generally no need to rinse the face after use, with a few exceptions. Indeed, it contains non-ionic surfactants that are less likely to cause irritation, compared to other types of surfactants, due to their particular structure. These surfactants are not supposed to penetrate the skin, thus respecting the integrity of the skin barrier.
Benefit No.5: Micellar water is portable and convenient.
In addition to all other benefits, micellar water is portable, convenient, and easy to use. It can replace several products in a skincare routine due to its versatility. This unique feature of micellar water is also ideal for travelling, not to mention that it can be useful in situations where direct access to running water is limited.
Versatile, micellar water is thus presented as a makeup remover, a cleanser, and a semi-hydrator.
Sources
HAWKINS S. & al. Sensitive skin compatibility of micellar water. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2017).
CHAVOSHY F. & al. Polymeric micelles as cutaneous drug delivery system in normal skin and dermatological disorders. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research (2018).
REINHOLZ M. & al. Efficacy and safety results of micellar water, cream and serum for rosacea in comparison to a control group. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2020).
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