The Reason You Should Use Micellar Water On Your Skin

If you're not already using micellar water on your skin, you should be. Praised by beauty editors and dermatologists alike, it works best as a makeup remover as it is able to remove makeup you didn't even realize was still stuck on your face. As Tabasum Mir, a skincare physician in cosmetic dermatology and cosmetic laser surgery, explained to HuffPost, "...it can remove an entire face of makeup without leaving oil behind like most makeup cleansers do." Here's why.

According to Women's Health, micellar water was actually created to fight the effect of hard tap water. "Hard tap water is charged with a high quantity of dissolved minerals," Julie Russak, MD, of Russak Dermatology Clinic in NYC, explained to the publication. "These can affect the protective barrier of the skin and even deteriorate it, making skin vulnerable and susceptible to environmental damage and pollution." As a result, micellar water was created. "The idea is that micelles are attracted to dirt and oil, so they are able to draw out impurities without drying out the skin," board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, told HuffPost.

Basically, the reason you should use micellar water on your skin to remove makeup is that it doesn't contain too much alcohol and therefore doesn't dry skin out. "The molecules of those mild surfactants naturally group together to form microscopic spheres called micelles, which act like magnets for dirt and oil," cosmetic chemist Joseph Cincotta told Allure. "They're especially great for acne-prone types," adds dermatologist Francesca Fusco. "They remove trapped debris from the skin but don't dry it out. I also tell my patients to use a micellar cleanser between reapplications of sunscreen during the summer to avoid clogged pores."

However, it's important to be aware that micellar water does leave residue on the skin, which some skin types may not like. "Whilst a lot of people may tolerate a small amount of surfactant being left behind on skin after the swipe (assuming they're the gentle kind), some people with sensitive skin won't," cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Sam Bunting told Glamour. To combat this, Dr. Bunting recommends simply rinsing your face with water after use.