What is Micellar Water?

What is micellar water?   You may see it touted in the pages of major beauty magazines and you may see it advertised on television or in print advertisements.  It may be endorsed by high-end beauty product makers and seen on the shelves of your favorite department or drug store, but it’s nothing new.  Micellar water has been around since the days of when plumbing was not great or very inaccessible for many or not available at all in the country of France.

Having no accessible running water appears to have prompted the invention of the micellar water, and while the history on its actual inventor is vague, it continues to be prominent right now as the beauty industry reacts to the entire buzz surrounding it.  Some makers are touting it as a virtual miracle, but while those with sensitive skin types and otherwise dry skin have been told it may be the answer to their skin problems may just have to do trial and err just as one would with any product.

The idea behind micellar water is that the micelles (floating balls of oil) are attracted to oils and dirt. Micellar water is made up of micelles that are suspended in soft water. Once swabbed onto the face it removes the dirt and leaves no oil behind.

The beauty industry is currently aiming the marketing toward those with sensitive skin, conditions such as rosacea and dry skin. *Those who have oilier skin may not achieve the same types of cleansing result. Micellar water does cleanse and remove skin impurities, removes makeup and does appear to have moisturizing effects. But while it is touted as a gentle cleansing routine, some products do contain things like alcohol, fragrances, foaming agents and detergents in them. Words to the wise include: please read the labels and the always present please seek the advice of your doctor or dermatologist with issues concerning your skin.  In order for micellar water to actually work, it has to contain chemicals. Most micellar waters contain aggregate surfactants, and other types of fillers (as seen in many products).

Remember, as with anything in life, there’s always moderation. Micellar water was created for those who did not have access to water. That means that this product, while it states most are gentle and can be used up to 2 times per day, should not replace your cleansing routines that include water.

Micellar water is a readily available product, it can be purchased in the common drug stores, on-line, or in department/beauty stores for around $8.00 to high-end cosmetics brands upwards of $85.00.