The Simple Micellar Water Step We've All Been Skipping

Micellar water is our skincare bae – from taking off our make-up to making our face feel extra cleansed, it’s a staple part of our daily routine.

We love it so much that we even know that there’s a special way of applying it, which you can see in the video below.

However, we were stunned to learn that you shouldn’t be relying on your micellar water alone to keep your skin fresh.

In one TikTok video, one commentor urged a woman to wash off her micellar water, after she shared a video of her everyday skincare routine.

The comment read: “I am by no means a dermatologist or anything but from what I’ve heard I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to wash micellar water off.”

Now, we’ve been stumped by this one. Surely it’s just a cleanser that keeps your skin clean by itself and doesn’t need to be washed off?

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We’ve bene so thrown here at Tyla at the news, we decided to dig a little deeper to discover whether we do need to wash off our micellar water.

Dr Anny Choudry, Aesthetic Physician at Aventus Clinic explained exactly how our skincare superhero actually works.

“Micellar water contains molecules of oil and water called Miscelles; this has been designed to work as a superficial cleanser and skin toner,” she tells Tyla. “Micellar water is good for attracting dirt and grime and hence works well as a cleanser.”

However, despite its dirt removing properties, it is not generally considered a decent cleanser by dermatologists.

“Although it’s good at removing make up, micellar water doesn’t cleanse the skin thoroughly enough and some of them can leave an oily residue on the skin,” Dr Shaaira Nasir, Consultant Dermatologist at sk:n explains.

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“You might also just be moving the dirt around your face, without actually removing it. This layer that’s left behind may cause blocked pores and break outs.

“This is why it’s important to do a second cleanse. Especially for those who wear heavy makeup, have oily skin type and acne prone skin.

“Find formulations that are alcohol and fragrance free. Alcohol may dry out the skin too much and fragrance can cause irritation. Micellar water can be used for all skin types.”

While micellar water can still be your go-to make-up remover, Dr Daron Seukeran, Group Medical Director at sk:n, urges people to stick a more comprehensive routine.

“For clear, naturally radiant skin, adopting a thorough cleansing routine is key,” he explains. “This helps to remove bacteria, oil, and dead cells from the surface of the skin. While poor cleansing methods - including the use of make-up wipes - can remove make-up from the top layer of the skin, they will not penetrate deep into the skin’s pores, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.”

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He continued: “For best results, try double cleansing to ensure all makeup, dirt and access oils are removed. Using a cleanser that contains glycolic or salicylic acid is best for breaking down any oil but take care to avoid any exfoliants that can dry out your skin.

“Using products that are too harsh can also impair the cell structure of the skin and diminish the barrier function of the epidermis layer.

“Finally, after cleansing, massage the face in a circular motion to get blood flowing and don’t forget to apply a moisturiser.”

Topics: Beauty, Skincare, Health

Kimberley Bond

Kim is a journalist at Tyla, and has previously worked at the Evening Standard, Radio Times as well as several national newspapers. A showbiz obsessive and a television fanatic, Kim is particularly interested in celebrity gossip, A-list events and the latest releases on either the big or small screen. Contact her at [email protected]

@0xKimberley