Micellar Water – What is it & How do I use it?

As I was taking 5 minutes to myself the other night and catching up on free-to-air TV, an ad appeared for Micellar Water, with some fresh faced celebrity beaming a flashy smile and beautifully flawless skin.  And whilst the ad for the product did nothing for me, it did remind me that I am the owner of a bottle of this stuff, which is somewhere, lying around unused and taking up space in my bathroom.

Why?

Because, like most ladies, I like to peruse the shops in my lunch-hour and just happened to walk past a shelf that had it on special one day.  Plus, I wanted to find out what all the hype was about.

However, I must admit, that when I bought it, I really had no idea what it was or how to use it.

So if you are in the same boat, then perhaps this post can assist in shedding some light on this so called, ‘miracle water’.

So…what is micellar water?

The very word Micelle means: an electrically charged particle formed by an aggregate of molecules and occurring in certain colloidal electrolyte solutions, as those of soaps and detergents.  Source: dictionary.com

Clear as mud?

In laymans terms, micellar water is the liquid that holds these tiny little balls of cleansing oils or micelles.

Isn’t it just a fancy name for toner?

Unlike micellar water, most toners contain alcohol and some even have extra products like tea tree oil etc, which means they are basically an astringent.  Meaning that they are generally a bit harsher on your skin and may remove more than just your makeup.  Most, like soap, will remove your skins natural oils and may leave your skin feeling dry and taught.

However, toners can have a place in your skin care regime as their function is to complete the cleansing of your skin by removing any impurities that can linger after washing with a cleanser.  A toner can also help to close and tighten your pores, thus reducing the penetration of environmental contaminants into the skin.

How do I use micellar water?

In order for Micellar Water to be effective, you need to suspend the liquid on an absorbent material like cotton pads.  These saturated cotton pads in conjunction with the micellar water absorb the oils, dirt and makeup, leaving your skin clean and hydrated.

Now, everyone is different in their routines, however micellar water is gentle enough to be used a couple of times a day to remove dirt, grime and gym sweat without drying out your skin.

Personally, I use micellar water in my nightly routine and you can to.

Speaking of which, I’m going to share with you what I do each and every night, regardless of what time it is….yes, even at 3am.

My nightly face-cleansing regime:

• Whilst you can use micellar water to remove your makeup, I like to take it a step further and start with coconut oil. I find that when I’m using a heavy eyeliner or super thick mascara that the micellar water just doesn’t remove it all.  To use coconut oil, I simply take a small amount of it, like a teaspoon full and rub it all over my face with my hands.
• I then saturate a cotton pad with micellar water and gently wipe across my face to remove the coconut oil, makeup and any other nasties that have accumulated throughout the day or night. This process normally sees me use 2-3 cotton pads.  When one gets dirty, I get a clean one and repeat the process until clean.
• Next, I use a gentle foaming facial cleanser from Natio.
• After drying off with a towel, I’ll saturate another cotton pad with toner and sweep my face, just in case I’ve missed any bits, then finish off with my Natio Restore Nurturing Night Cream.

Haven’t yet tried Micellar Water, but want to know what all the fuss is about, you can check out the range of Micellar Cleansing Water here.

What Have I Personally Tried and What Am I Currently Using?

I’m currently using the Essano Gentle Facial Cleansing Micellar Water 400ml, however I have also tried and would recommend the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water – All in 1

Ps. I’ve heard of some ladies with sensitive skin experiencing red and/or irritated skin after using micellar water.  If this happens to you, be sure to wash your skin well with fresh water and use a second cleanser to remove it.  If the problem persists then micellar water may not be for you.

Do you personally use, or have you tried Micellar water?  If so, we would love for you to share your experiences and evening routines in the comments section below.

 

*This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a commission for the purchase made via this link at no extra cost to you.  I only recommend products / items that I have used or am currently using.