Style Skincare What Is Micellar Water, and Should I Be Using It? One dermatologist explains the gentlest (and possibly most confusing) skincare product you should be using: micellar water. By Hannah Norling Hannah Norling Instagram Hannah Norling is an editor and content manager with nearly a decade of experience in digital publications. Highlights: * Was associate producer at Real Simple, where she managed the magazine's digital presence * Brief stint at Heart Magazines as an international brands editor * Currently in pursuit of M.A. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Clinical Mental Health at The University of Denver Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 6, 2023 Medically reviewed by Hadley King, MD Medically reviewed by Hadley King, MD Hadley King, MD is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology. She is also a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.Dr. King is a highly sought after dermatologist in New York City, where she has been treating patients for almost twenty years. She has won numerous awards including Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, Top Doctors New York Metro Area, New Beauty Top Beauty Doctor, and RealSelf Top Doctor. Learn More Fact checked by Isaac Winter Fact checked by Isaac Winter Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Highlights: Helped establish a food pantry in West Garfield Park as an AmeriCorps employee at Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. Editorial Head of Lake Forest College's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email You've heard about it, maybe even used it, but do you know what micellar water actually is? Micellar water–also called micellar cleansing water–seems to be that mystery skincare product that leaves many of us scratching our heads. It looks like water and even feels like water, but (as you'll later find out) it's far from that. I asked dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara why this stuff is so important for clean, healthy skin. What Is Micellar Water and How Does It Work? "Micellar water has little tiny micelles suspended in it. Micelles surround dirt particles and break them down—they can clean the skin without drying it out, so there's no barrier-stripping soap needed." says Gohara. Micelles, if you're wondering, are tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules that attract dirt and oil naturally, so you're not stripping the skin of the natural oils it needs to stay hydrated and healthy. The 7 Best Eczema Creams You Can Buy, According to Dermatologists Why You Should Use Micellar Water So, why do you need micellar cleansing water? Doesn't cleanser do the same thing? Well... not exactly. "I like micellar water as part of a double cleanse," explains Gohara. "It gets rid of the big stuff like makeup, oil, and dirt while the gentle non-soap cleanser takes care of the nitty-gritty grime hiding deep in the pores," says Gohara. Gohara explains it simply: "Irritating soaps strip the skin of natural oils and proteins; micellar water helps to keep the barrier intact, translating into healthy skin." Micellar water is like your best, heavy duty soap without the dry, dull skin afterwards. It'll keep impurities off your face and leave you feeling refreshed and, most of all, clean. How to Get Rid of Acne Scars With Different Treatments Ready to Test Out Micellar Water? Try These Brands Are you convinced yet? If you're thinking about trying micellar water, Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water ($11; amazon.com) has been a staple of mine for two years and has yet to let me down. Gohara loves La Roche-Posay ($17; target.com), but you can also find micellar water at any drugstore near you– a drugstore favorite is the Garnier micellar water ($8; target.com). Since it's growing in popularity, everyone has been jumping on the micellar water train, and believe me, you don't want to miss out. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit