Micellar water is more powerful than you think!
This is the probably the most repurchased product in my bathroom. What looks like ordinary water is actually so much more.
Micellar (pronounced my-CELL-er) water is everywhere. You can buy in every pharmacy, grocery store and high-end department store. EVERY brand has one. And it feels like I’ve tried them all.
But funnily enough, I was using it long before I even knew how it actually works.
When I was picking some up this weekend in my local Irish pharmacy, it made me wonder…. where did I even hear about micellar water?
I’m pretty sure it was UK-based makeup artist Lisa Eldridge circa 2009. I remember her saying that every time she went to France for fashion shows, she’d stock up on Bioderma in the local pharmacy. It’s been used for decades by French woman…. I heard somewhere that many don’t want to use the tap water on their face. Interesting.
What is it?
Micellar comes from the French word micellaire. Micelles are tiny clusters of molecules and combined with water, it makes…you guessed it. It’s considered cleansing water.
Essentially, micellars are surfactants. These molecules have 2 parts:
A head that’s attracted to water (and repels oil)
A tail that’s attracted oil (and repels water)
The molecule assembles itself so that the tails attached to oil and head surrounds it. That cluster then mixes with water, which doesn’t even know it’s there. This allows two opposing substances to coexist. Amazing stuff.
Use mayonnaise as an example. It’s made of oil and vinegar, two things that can’t live together. But add egg yolk – which acts as an emulsion – and it wraps around the oil and smuggles it in so vinegar isn’t even aware. The result is creamy, fluffy mayo. No separation in sight.
So when you apply micellar water to a cotton (or bamboo) round, the substance attaches to the dirt, oil and makeup on your skin. That loosens it so that the cotton round then can wipe it away. Easy peasy.
How it’s used
1. Cleanser
There are many – particularly those with sensitive skin – who use this as a primary cleanser. The surfactants are designed to be kinder to the skin than most cleansers so it’s gentle and effective. Micellar waters often also include hydrators, to protect the barrier. But this isn’t for me. I’m a double-cleanse kind of girl.
2. Toner
This also works as a toner. It can remove any last remnants of cleanser or oils on your skin before you start your routine.
Also not for me.
3. Eye makeup remover
This is why I buy micellar water. This is always my first step at the end of a makeup day. While I love a good balm or oil for my first cleanse, I’m not a fan of the mess it makes with mascara. In fact, I think it’s pretty gross. So I use a cotton round with micellar water to remove the bulk of it. I splash a bit on, place the round on my closed eyelashes and give them a wiggle. I then open my eyes and wiggle upwards from the bottom lash. It gets about 80% of the mascara off. Like magic. Then I go about my regular routine.
You can buy micellar water at any price point. From inexpensive Simple, Cerave and Garnier to Lancome, Drunk Elephant and uber-pricey La Mer – really, you’re spoiled for choice. But for me, it’s the original that I always go back to. Bioderma was the first and will be the last.
I’ve been using it for more than 12 years. But we’ve come along way because they didn’t even sell it in Ireland until probably 2018 (I could be totally wrong about that date, oopsies). Back then, I had to purchase off eBay. I’d get a 3-pack bundle shipped to Ireland, which would last about 6 months. But now, I can pick up during my weekly shop. Times are good.
What do you think about micellar water? Trick or treat?
Where to buy
Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water
