8 Times You Should Reach for Micellar Water

Micellar water is a French beauty staple that we can safely say, is worthy of all the hype it receives. This gentle, multi-tasking water can be used to remove makeup, even tone, cleanse, and balance the skin. Regardless of your skin type, anyone can squeeze this holy grail product into their daily skin care routines and maybe even reach for it outside of normal makeup removal. Keep reading to learn all about micellar water and the best times to reach for it.

What Is Micellar Water?

Micellar water is a liquid powered by tiny micelles — oil molecules — that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil and makeup residue off the skin. Micellar water serves as a great first cleanse to remove makeup or cleanse skin in the morning, plus, it can be used on cotton pads if there is no other option. When we need micellar water, we love reaching for the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof - All Skin Types. Whether you’re using it as a first cleanse, to freshen up post-sweat session or to clean up winged eyeliner, micellar water is a constant win for its ease and versatility. 

When to Use Micellar Water

We know micellar water is versatile but let’s get into the nitty-gritty to prove just how often you can reach for this miracle product. Below, we're breaking down eight of the best occasions to reach for micellar water.

1. When You Wake Up

It’s best practice to wash your face twice a day — in the morning and at night and there’s no better way to prepare for the day than with a micellar water cleanse and a nice cup of coffee. Before tackling your essential SPF and daily makeup look, use micellar water before washing with a cream cleanser to remove any traces of leftover makeup from the night before. 

2. Post-Workout

After working out, you’ve likely worked up a serious sweat and leaving that on your skin can lead to clogged pores and forms of mild acne. When you can’t manage to find the time or place for a shower post-workout, saturate a cotton pad with micellar water and swipe it across your complexion. 

This will help to refresh your skin, cleanse all sweat and impurities and ultimately, keep your skin looking its best. For acne-prone skin, this tip is especially important to manage oil production and minimize blemishes.

3. After Spending Time in the Sun

Similar to what happens when you workout, after spending time in the sun, you’re sure to be a little sweaty. Oftentimes, skin is also more sensitive after prolonged sun exposure, so you’ll want to avoid harsh facial cleansing methods. 

Instead, opt for micellar water as it’s gentler on the skin while cleansing away dirt, debris and sweat. Throw it in your beach bag for easy cleanup with no rinsing involved. 

4. After Swimming

Whether it’s a dip in the pool, lake, or ocean, you’ll want to cleanse your skin afterwards and micellar water is the perfect product to reach for. Apply some onto a cotton pad and wipe it over your complexion to wash away any residue and impurities, post-swim. Once you’ve finished cleansing, don’t forget to reapply SPF. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30 which offers hydration to the skin with built-in sun protection — all in a sleek bottle with an easy pump applicator.

5. For Mid-Day Refreshing

While micellar water is a prime pick for cleansing, it’s also super-handy for minor touch ups and refreshing throughout the day. When your lipstick starts to bleed or your eyeliner smudges, use a cotton swab dipped in micellar water to remove any trace of mistakes and smudges. 

6. When You’re Doing Your Makeup

Similarly, keep your micellar water and cotton swabs nearby when you're doing your makeup at the start of the day (or evening) to fix smudges or transfer, wipe away any fallout or perfect your eyeliner. Micellar water will easily fix any mishap without ruining the rest of your look.

7. When Your Skin Is Dry

During the dry, winter season or when your skin is extra dry, cleansing with micellar water is a great option because it removes impurities and offers hydration without stripping the skin as traditional cleansers can. It will also help to avoid that tight, itchy feeling post-cleansing. 

8. Before Bed

Cleansing your face before bed may be one of the most important steps in your skin care routine. When you’re going about daily life, the surface of your skin can end up covered in all sorts of impurities in addition to your makeup, including environmental pollutants, dirt and oils. 

Before your head hits the pillow, you’ll want to remove these impurities, as well as your makeup, to help ensure that you won’t wake up to clogged pores. First, cleanse with micellar water and follow up with a second cleanser like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser to gently purify the skin, remove any leftover impurities and boost radiance.

Next: Why Your Foundation and Moisturizer Pills, And How To Stop It

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Prop Stylist: Katrina Rozeville, Prop Assistant: Emily Ramirez