Walk into a pharmacy or makeup store today and it’s almost impossible not to see a whole range of products known as Micellar Water. What are they and should you be using them on your face?
Well, you may or may not have joined the bandwagon of this wondrous product that seemed to have taken over the beauty care scene worldwide, but it will do you no harm to know more today!
WHY IT WAS CREATED
Originating from France a couple of years ago, Micellar Water was created due to the tap water in Paris being too harsh on the skin to the point of causing breakouts when used during facial cleansing routines. So what women in Paris needed was a way to cleanse their face from makeup, dirt and oil without turning on their taps! Sounds almost impossible, doesn’t it?
Enter Micellar Water (pronounced “MY-sell-er”), which is designed in such a way that it acts as an effective cleanser that does not need to be rinsed out. It has been found to be compatible with the skin because it removes surface dirt, oil, and makeup without compromising the skin barrier, unlike more aggressive cleansers which compromises the integrity of the skin’s natural structure.
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
Micellar water is actually a combination of purified water and hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, along with low concentrations of extremely mild surfactants or soaps called micelles, as explained by Gretchen Frieling, MD, a Boston-based dermatopathologist. She also revealed how micelles attract and capture dirt and oil, and that when it’s rubbed off the skin, impurities are lifted out, and at the same time, the hydrating elements keep the skin moisturized.
Frieling.also shared that when dead skin cells, as well as dirt and oil, build up at the pore’s opening, the sebum will not be able to leave the pore. It then builds up in the sebaceous gland, which leads to the development of a whitehead or blackhead, and when this becomes inflamed, it turns into a pimple. Micellar Water helps to clear the pores, so it can lessen the chances of this happening. Plus, it doesn’t leave an oily residue behind. Because of its gentleness, micellar water can be used on skin with rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, but if you have these skin conditions, it’s still best to check with your doctor before using it.
BECAUSE THE GENTLER THE FORMULATION, THE BETTER OFF YOUR SKIN WILL BE
Micellar water was initially known to be an ideal way to get skin cleaned without the use of water, but that’s not all of its benefits! It’s also known for how gentle it is on the skin, compared with other cleansers, according to Dr Tien Nguyen, MD, a dermatologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. This helps to simplify things for individuals who face problems with facial cleansers due to having sensitive skin. Basic, simple micellar water is suitable for all skin types – so if you happen to experience negative reactions from a product that features Micellar water, chances are it’s due to the other ingredients added to the product which may be harsh and not suitable for your skin. According to the good doctor, the biggest culprits for irritation are alcohol, parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and dyes, he says. Fortunately, there are numerous options with simple formulations that don’t include these types of ingredients.
How To Make It Part Of Your Beauty Routine
If you haven’t already tried Micellar water, here’s how you can include it into your daily beauty care routine.
- Simply use it with a cotton ball or cotton pad as you would with a toner, to wipe across your face and neck. Unless you are performing a double cleansing routine, there should be no need for rinsing with water (remember the reason why it was created?)
- Micellar water can also be a handy way to cleanse your face when you need to reapply your makeup at anytime, day or night. For that reason, as Dr Nguyen recommends, it will be a good idea to keep a smaller bottle accessible in your handbag. It’s also handy as a post-workout facial cleanser.
- Another gem by Dr Nguyen is, when you’re reapplying sun protection products on your face and neck, keep Micellar water on standby for proper removal of the product before reapplication. This is to ensure that you won’t have multiple layers of sunscreen on piled up on your skin, for that will result in clogged pores. This kind of quick cleaning may make your sunscreen more effective, because you won’t be putting it on over a sweaty face at the beach. Sweat accumulation tends to result in your sun protection product adhering less effectively onto your skin.
- Dr Frieling has this to share on how else to use Micellar water: It also comes in handy for cleaning makeup brushes. This is the easiest, cheapest, and most fuss-free way to get your brushes clean. Just soak them in a bowl of micellar water for a few minutes, then dry with a paper towel or soft cloth.
Source: everydayhealth.com
