What is Micellar Water? How to Use and Benefits

Explore Micellar Water benefits, how to choose the right one, and tips for using it in your routine.

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What Is Micellar Water?

Micellar Water is a skincare product that looks and feels like regular water but is actually a gentle cleanser. It is composed of particles made up of cleansing molecules, aggregated in the form of spheroids in fresh water. These particles are called micelles. Micelles help trap dirt, oil, and makeup on the skin, making it easy to clean your face without harsh rubbing or rinsing.
blonde young woman using Nivea Micellar water
What Does Micellar Water Do?

What Are Micelles?

The micelles in Micellar Water are clusters of tiny molecules with hydrophilic (has an affinity for water) and lipophilic (has an affinity for oil) segments. Micelles are most commonly a spherical shape, consisting of a core and a shell where their lipophilic end groups form their core and their hydrophilic end groups form the shell. In the context of skincare, this means that these two properties work together to cleanse, where the oil-loving segments attract oily compounds on the skin and the water-loving segments help mix the drawn-out compounds with water to be able to sweep them away.

Is Micellar Water a toner?

Micellar Water is considered to primarily be a cleanser, not a toner. Both may seem similar, but they serve slightly distinct purposes. As a cleanser, Micellar Water helps to remove makeup, dirt, and oil from the skin. A toner can be used after cleansing to help hydrate skin and prepare the skin for moisturizing. While both Micellar Water and toner are in aqueous form, Micellar Water focuses on cleansing, whereas a toner focuses on toning and hydrating the skin. However, some Micellar Waters can also have a moisturizing and toning action and can be used as a toner.

5 Micellar Water Benefits

Micellar Water offers several advantages for maintaining clean and healthy-looking skin. Here are five Micellar Water benefits:
Nivea Micellar Water Regenerating +5% Serum
  1. Gentle Cleansing: Micellar Water effectively removes dirt, oil, and makeup without harsh scrubbing, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

  2. Hydration: Unlike some traditional cleansers, Micellar Water does not strip the skin of its natural oils, helping to maintain moisture.

  3. Convenience: Micellar Water is easy to use and does not require rinsing, making it perfect for quick cleansing on the go

  4. Versatility: Micellar Water can be used on all skin types, including oily, dry, and combination skin.

  5. Dual Function: Micellar Water acts as a makeup remover and cleanser in one, simplifying your skincare routine by eliminating the need for multiple products.

Micellar Water for Different Skin Types

Oily Skin: Micellar Water helps to remove excess oil and sebum from the skin’s surface without drying it out, thereby reducing the risk of clogged pores. By reducing oil on the skin’s surface, Micellar Water helps keep the skin looking less shiny.

Dry Skin: Micellar Water cleanses the skin gently without causing irritation or dryness, making it suitable for those with dry skin.

Sensitive Skin: Formulated to be gentle and soothing, Micellar Water is an ideal choice for sensitive. NIVEA Gentle Micellar Water for Dry and Sensitive Skin offers a gentle formula appropriate for dry and sensitive skin, enriched with amino acid to help gently cleanse and remove makeup, impurities, and dirt.

Choosing the Right Micellar Water

When choosing Micellar Water, it is essential to consider a few key factors to ensure it meets your skin's needs:
young woman removing make-up
  1. Skin Type: Your skin type plays a significant role in determining which Micellar Water is best for you. Whether you have normal, oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin, there is a Micellar Water designed for your specific needs.

  2. Ingredients: Always check the ingredients list. Look for Micellar Water with minimal, gentle ingredients and with formulas that have been dermatologically tested for skin compatibility, especially if you have sensitive skin.

  3. Purpose: Some Micellar Waters are formulated to remove makeup, while others are better suited for general cleansing. Many are formulated to be appropriate for both. Choose based on your anticipated use.

How to Use Micellar Water in Your Skincare Routine

One of the great benefits of NIVEA Micellar Waters is their ability to cleanse in a single step, breaking down stubborn makeup and impurities. Micellar Water is incredibly easy to use in a few simple steps:
  1. Soak a cotton pad:
    Firstly, saturate a cotton pad with Micellar Water. If you’re using Micellar Water to remove eye makeup, having a fully saturated cotton pad will help to avoid any tugging or pulling on your lashes.
  2. Gently massage onto skin:
    Apply Micellar Water using circular motions to avoid harsh tugging, letting the formula do the work. Begin by removing any eye makeup, taking care around your lashes, and then proceeding to the rest of your face.
  3. Rinse or leave on – it's your choice!
    Most micellar waters do not require rinsing. However, if you prefer, after removing all traces of make-up and impurities, you can choose to rinse to remove any product residue from the skin.
  4. Round off with your usual care routine
    Once you’ve finished cleansing, continue with your usual face care routine (TBC) of serums and moisturizers to help replenish and restore your skin.

NIVEA Micellar Water

NIVEA Micellar Waters have been carefully created to provide all-in-one cleansing and makeup removal that leaves skin looking hydrated and glowing. Dermatologically-tested, NIVEA Micellar Waters offer different formulas that help support different skin types for gentle, effective cleansing without stripping skin’s moisture.

NIVEA Gentle Micellar Water for Dry and Sensitive Skin

This dermatologically-tested makeup remover has been tested for sensitive and dry skin types and provides gentle cleansing without the need for rinsing. NIVEA Gentle Micellar Water for Dry and Sensitive Skin contains an Amino Acid Complex and is enriched with Almond Oil for smoother-feeling skin. Enhance your skin’s moisture-binding capacity while leaving behind 0% product residue.*
NIVEA Gentle Micellar Water for Dry and Sensitive Skin
*89% agree, tested by 72 women for 1 week

NIVEA Refreshing Micellar Water for Normal Skin

Embrace an all-in-one makeup remover with this NIVEA no-rinse cleanser and face wash, formulated and dermatologically-tested for normal skin. With a formula containing an Amino Acid Complex enriched with Vitamin E for fresher-feeling skin, NIVEA Refreshing Micellar Water for Normal Skin enables you to cleanse skin with just a few featherlight swipes and helps keep skin refreshed and hydrated.
NIVEA Refreshing Micellar Water for Normal Skin

NIVEA Pure & Natural™ Micellar Water

Made from 98% natural origin ingredients*, NIVEA Pure & Natural™ Micellar Water is enriched with ingredients like organic aloe vera to effectively remove makeup and impurities while providing gentle care. This cleansing water helps moisturize the skin without leaving residue, and it uses a 100% vegan Micellar Water formula with no animal-derived ingredients.
NIVEA Pure & Natural™ Micellar Water
*ingredients sourced from nature retaining greater than 50% of their molecular structure after being processed, including water.

MicellAIR Rose Water Micellar Water

This all-in-one makeup remover and cleanser is formulated with organic rose water and visibly purifies, hydrates, and soothes dry skin. Appropriate for all skin types, NIVEA MicellAIR Rose Water Micellar Water is dermatologically tested and is powerful enough to remove waterproof makeup without rubbing or rinsing.
NIVEA MicellAIR Rose Water Micellar Water

Struggling with stubborn or heavy eye makeup?

If you are prone to wearing heavier makeup around the eyes, then you can combine your Micellar Water with the use of a specific eye makeup remover. Use NIVEA Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover as a first step by soaking a cotton pad and gently wiping away makeup. The formula is specifically designed to lift away even extreme waterproof mascara with ease, while caring for your lashes. Follow up with your usual Micellar Water on the rest of your face to complete your makeup removal and cleansing routine.
NIVEA Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover

Micellar Waters: Takeaway

Micellar Water is a versatile skincare product that gently cleanses and hydrates the skin thanks to micelles, which attract and lift away dirt, oil, and makeup without the need for harsh scrubbing or rinsing. Suitable for all skin types, including normal, oily, dry, and sensitive skin, , Micellar Water can simplify and enhance your daily skincare routine.
NIVEA Make-Up Removers and Cleansing Wipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Micellar Water a Cleanser or a Toner?

Micellar Water is a cleanser, removing dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin. However, it can also act as a mild toner by refreshing and balancing the skin.

Does Micellar Water Need to Be Rinsed Off?

No, Micellar Water does not need to be rinsed off. You can leave it on your skin after using it, making it convenient for quick and easy cleansing.

Is Micellar Water Good for the Skin?

Yes, Micellar Water is great for cleansing the skin. It gently removes makeup, dirt, and impurities, and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, without stripping natural oils.

Can Micellar Water Replace a Face Wash?

Micellar Water can replace a face wash, especially for a quick cleanse or when you are on the go. However, if you’re into double cleansing, you might also use a traditional facial cleanser after micellar for a double cleanse.

Does Micellar Water Remove Waterproof Mascara?

Some Micellar Waters are formulated to remove waterproof makeup, but not all. Check the product label to ensure it can effectively remove waterproof cosmetics.

Can Micellar Water Be Used Every Day?

Yes, Micellar Water can be used daily. The gentle properties allow for everyday use, becoming a staple part of your morning and evening skincare routine