Nowadays, micellar water is a very trendy product in skincare. All premium and drugstore brands have introduced their products. There are so many different choices on the market. I am a big fan of Bioderma Sensibio micellar water. I have been using this product since it appeared on the market. And it has been a
total game-changer in my skincare routine.
I like to use micellar water mainly for its practicality. It is not oily like my other makeup removers or messy like my cleansing milk. It is simple and quick to use. I like to use micellar water when I don’t feel like cleaning my face with foaming face washes. It saves me on lazy nights when I want to get rid of my makeup and go to bed. But the question that comes to mind is: should I rinse micellar water off, or is it ok to leave it unwashed like, say, a toner?
What exactly is micellar water?
Micellar water is a gentle and hydrating product that will cleanse the surface of your skin without leaving oil or heavy residue behind. It is a cleanser and makeup remover at the same time. It easily dissolves and removes makeup, dirt, and impurities from your skin. Micellar water has a high cleansing ability (on the surface level) and does not require harsh rubbing to remove the makeup. However, it does not penetrate pores or deeply cleanse like a foaming cleansing gel.
Micellar water is also called cleansing water. It may sound a little confusing, but it is pretty simple. Although it looks and acts like water, it is a cleansing product with cleansing oil molecules and contains a mild detergent. Even though it is not foaming, it still has an ingredient called surfactant, which is also present in other foaming cleansing products. But, of course, the surfactant in micellar water is mild and low-foaming. Micellar water is a simple product made of water, micelles and surfactant that works like magic.
Besides, you should never use micellar water
as a toning product. Toners are used after cleanser and before moisturizer to remove any residue or makeup left over after cleansing. It hydrates and prepares the skin for moisturizer. But micellar water is just a hydrating cleansing product which does not require rinsing due to its mild formula.
To rinse or not to rinse?
Many people cleanse with micellar water and go on with the rest of their skincare routine. Personally, after using micellar water, my skin doesn’t feel clean enough. It feels like my cleaning routine is unfinished. I am bothered by the surface residue that micellar water leaves on the skin, especially before applying my skincare products. I need my skin perfectly clean to apply my serum and moisturizer. I think it’s good to wash it off from your skin before applying the rest of your skincare products.
Generally speaking, you don’t have to rinse off micellar water like a typical cleanser. According to the instructions, it does not require water or rinsing. It is gentle enough, and it is ok to leave it on your face as long as it does not irritate your skin. It never irritated my skin when I left it unwashed. I am not sure what would happen in the long run. Now, I thoroughly rinse my face to be on the safe side.
Most micellar waters are super-gentle, and they are suitable for sensitive skin. But some brands can still be harsher than others. I think washing your face after cleansing it with micellar water is a good practice. Rinsing will complete the cleansing process. After using micellar water, sometimes I apply toner or rose water on a cotton pad and wipe my face. Cleaning with a cotton pad dabbed in water can also work. But if you have the time and energy, rinsing it is the way to go.
