The science of Micellar Water
Oil and water naturally repel each other. To get them to play nice, a molecule called a surfactant is used. Surfactant molecules have one hydrophilic (water loving, oil repelling), and one hydrophobic (water repelling, oil loving) end. When surfactants encounter oil, the hydrophobic tails are attracted and form a coating around the oil with all of the hydrophilic tails sticking out away from the oil. Adding water allows for the hydrophiic tails to be attracted to the water and "suspends" the oil drop in the water. You can example this when you drip a bit of oil in your sink and then try to wash it away. Straight water cannot get the job done, but if you add a bit of soap, the oil and soap combine, and then wash away with the water. Same thing is going on on your face using micellar water. The tiny bits of dirt surrounded by the hydrophobic/hydrophilic surfactants are called micelles, and they are washed away.
Some Micellar Water Q&A
Q: Is this a deep cleansing product?
A: Micellar waters attract surface dirt and removing it keeps that surface dirt from skins own sebum and becoming pore clogging dirt. A tiny bit of micellar water can remain on your skin so if your skin is sensitive then just follow cleansing with a splash of cool water, or a toner. If your skin pores aren't deeply clogged then yes you may use this as an everyday cleanser.
Q: Is this a replacement for toner?
A: No. Use micellar water before your toner. Toner contains no hydrophobic molecules so is able to freshen skin and tighten pores, but has little cleansing ability.
Q: This sounds like oil cleanse lite...is it?
A: Yes, kind of. Micellar waters are a great way to discover the benefits of oil for skin health and cleansing. The tiny amount of oil in micellar water is used to bind surface dirt on the facial skin to be removed. With Oil Cleanse, skin oil is mixed with another oil and softened by heat. Then it is wiped away with the action of a gentle cloth and more heat/steam to leave the face clean and pores open. If your skin is sensitive then follow micellar water cleanse with a clean water wipe and your face is good to go. Tone & then moisturize as desired.
Q: What good does micellar water do for my skin?
A: Micellar water is gentle cleansing and is effective at removing dirt, makeup, and oil. It is free of alcohol thus non-drying, and may help promote skin hydration. Depending on the formula chosen, there are various additional benefits for the different hydrosols used in our micellar water that may include reducing inflammation, antimicrobial, or redness.