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Micellar Water

For the longest time, I resisted even trying micellar water.

I thought, “What’s the point?”

I use facial cleanser and water to wash my face.  I couldn’t imagine how swiping a liquid-soaked cotton pad across my face, without rinsing it off no less, could possibly clean anything.

Well, I’m always up for trying new things.

Micelle Ball-3321

What is Micellar Water

I knew what the term micellar meant.  I studied micelles in high school and college chemistry.

The definition of micelle is an aggregate of molecules in a colloidal solution, such as those formed be detergents.

That is not very glamorous nor does it really mean anything to those of us who aren’t scientists.  I could go into the chemistry of how micelles work but I won’t bore you.  If you are really interested visit this site or this one here.

In a nutshell, micellar water contains a bunch of micelles, which are like little sponges, suspended in water.  The micelles have oil-loving tails and water-loving heads.   This magical combination traps dirt, oil, and makeup and whisks it away with the swipe of a cotton pad.

Micellar-4726

Does Micellar Water Work?

I subscribe to the New Beauty Test Tube and in one of my boxes of goodies, I received a sample of micellar water from Lumene.  I read the ingredients and put it aside with the intention of trying it at a later date.

My husband saw it and decided he wanted to try it out.  He loved it!

I was still a little skeptical but decided to give it a try anyway.  To my surprise, I really liked it too.

I thought my skin would still feel dirty or possibly dried out but it didn’t.  It felt clean and hydrated.

My Own Experience with Micellar Water:

I wondered if other micellar waters would feel the same way so I went to Ulta and purchased a few others.  I read through the ingredients lists of several brands and decided to purchase La Roche Posay Micellar Water, Pacifica Kale Water, Pacifica Cactus Water, and another bottle of the Lumene.

I chose La Roche Posay because I like and use several of their products.  I chose the two from Pacifica because I liked the ingredients. I like and use several other Pacifica products. They are a local company and I like to support local when I can.

So far, I like the Lumene and the Pacifica the best.  That’s because they have additional, beneficial ingredients in them like Birch sap in the Lumene or glycolic acid in the Pacifica Kale Water.  The La Roche Posay is best for those with sensitive skin because there are no additional ingredients.

Where to Find Micellar Water:

I shop around to see if I can find better prices.  Amazon is always a great option and I purchase my Lumene from Amazon for $5.99 for a full size bottle.  It’s even better if you are a Prime subscriber because you get free 2 day shipping!

There are a lot of different micellar waters out there, so don’t’ be afraid to ask for samples.  I ask for samples all of the time.  This way if I don’t like it I don’t have to waste my money.

How to Use Micellar Water:

I am pretty diligent about washing my face at night, but sometimes I feel so lazy I don’t want to do anything but go to bed.  This is the perfect time to use my micellar water.

Keep a bottle on the nightstand with some cotton pads, swipe your face, and done.  You don’t even have to sit up!

It’s also great for camping when you may not have access to a lot of fresh water.

I’m not really sure how micellar water will perform if you wear a lot of makeup.  I don’t wear a lot, so it works pretty well for me.

I clean my face, neck and chest every day and I have to use at least 3 cotton pads for that.  I would bet with more makeup you are going to be using a good amount of cotton pads, and even then it may not feel like you have removed all of your makeup.

I would suggest using a makeup remover wipe beforehand.

What if You Have Sensitive Skin?

I found an article in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology discussing sensitive skin compatibility of micellar water.

There was no increased irritation from using micellar water compared to water.  There was also an immediate increase in skin hydration after its use, and that skin hydration persisted for 4 hours.

The study was 100% sponsored by Unilever.  This means that the research and its outcomes may have some bias and should be taken with a grain of salt.  However, there does seem to be something great about micellar water.

Lastly:

The best way to clean your skin is with water.  Sometimes, you’re just too tired or you don’t have access to water.  That’s when micellar water can be a great option.

This post may contain affiliate links.  See my disclosure for more information.

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