It looks like regular water, and it feels like regular water—so what’s all the fuss about micellar water, a type of facial cleanser that’s now showing up in shampoos?
First, let’s get the pronunciation issues out of the way: it’s my-sell-er water, named after the microscopic spheres, micelles, that form when all the molecules come together. (Did you know that beauty could become such a lesson in high school chemistry?) These molecules are called surfactants, and they draw dirt and oil away from your skin like a magnet while still being gentle to the sensitive epidermis of your face. In fact, micellar water is so light and gentle that you don’t even have to wash it off afterward, eliminating an entire step from your nightly skincare routine.
Here’s the key, though: Micellar water doesn’t take the place of your regular facial cleanser. It gets rid of makeup and dirt, but you should still use a gentle non-soap facial cleanser to get the grime that’s tucked deeper into your pores. Plus, don’t fall for the scam that is micellar water cleansing wipes—they won’t do as well as regular micellar water applied with a cotton pad. They can be more irritating to sensitive skin.
That’s all great news for your face—but now micellar water is showing up in shampoo. Can it have the same effect on your hair? Reportedly, the answer is yes! When in shampoos, micellar water performs the same duties of pulling out the excess oil while still leaving the strands soft and full of moisture. Because it’s shampoo, though, you still have to rinse the micellar water out of your hair.
French women reportedly use micellar water because their tap water is so harsh on the skin. Luckily, Marylanders don’t necessarily have that same problem—but those Parisians just might be onto something here.
