What is micellar water and how does it work? Premium

Micellar water, a product found in supermarkets, chemists and bathroom cabinets around the world, is commonly used to remove make-up.

Micellar water, a product found in supermarkets, chemists and bathroom cabinets around the world, is commonly used to remove make-up. It’s a very effective cleanser and many people swear by it as part of their skincare routine.

So, what is micellar water and why is it so good at getting makeup and sunscreen off? Here’s the science.

Oil and water generally don’t mix, which is why you’ll struggle to remove makeup and sunscreen (which both contain oils) with just plain water.

But micellar water products contain something called micelles – clusters of molecules that are very effective at removing oily substances. To understand why, you need to first know two chemistry terms: hydrophilic and hydrophobic.

A hydrophilic substance “loves” water and mixes easily with it. Salt and sugar are examples.

A hydrophobic substance “hates” water and generally refuses to mix with it. Examples include oil and wax.

Hydrophilic materials will happily mix with other hydrophilic materials. The same goes for hydrophobic substances. But if you try to combine hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials, they won’t mix.