Should you rinse your micellar water?

Backstage at fashion shows, it has been established as an essential make-up remover. Micellar water has quickly become a daily ally for many women. Its mildness and effectiveness make it a favorite product for anyone in a hurry. Especially since many waters display a no-rinse label. A powerful argument for those who are usually tempted to go to bed without even removing their makeup and other traces of mascara. But is this really a good idea?

When the first micellar water versions came out, their marketing argument was really based on this idea of ​​quick makeup removal. “Micellar water was created to make life easier for women. With the promise of only taking ten seconds to cleanse your face before bed. It was especially perfect for French women, who in the 1990s had a reputation for not removing their make-up, but this idea of ​​a quick gesture remained well anchored,” explains Melvita International Training Director Didier Thevenin.

To answer the question of the need to wash or not, it is important to understand the composition of this product, which has become essential. In other words, water and micelles. “The latter are surfactants that are less than in a classic cleanser. They come to collect dirt, wrapping themselves around it. But does that mean we can avoid flushing? “Well, no. Because, of course, impurities are removed, but if you don’t rinse, half of them will remain on the skin. When you cleanse your face, you remove traces of makeup, pollution and even night secretions if you do it in the morning when you wake up. But we still leave something behind. It is a question of logic. when you wash your body or hair, you rinse.” For the beauty professional, you have to ask yourself if you want to leave even the slightest trace of surfactants behind. Moreover, it also warns of the fact that not all micellar waters contain the same number of micelles. His advice to know if it contains much. “You have to shake it, and if it’s bubbling a lot, it’s too much.” And therefore, there is an equal risk that the cotton will remain on the skin after application.

Minimal immediate risk, but be careful in the long run

But are there risks in not doing this second step to remove the micelles? “It is minimal. The skin will not peel or appear pimples and wrinkles. There is no great danger. But then it can become more reactive. So don’t panic for those who just skip this step when they come back from the evening. “It should remain a joke. And it’s always better than not removing makeup at all. But this should not become a habit.”

For Didier Thevenin, cleansing remains an essential step, especially “so that we remove everything we put on our face, including makeup remover or cleanser. What’s the point of removing makeup if you’re leaving something else behind? He also reminds that it is necessary to predict the future. “It’s not because it supports this minimalistic use of micellar water well that we won’t see long-term effects.” The more we care for him now, the less we will have later. “It’s not a good idea to have a miracle product that’s going to boost collagen, for example, if we don’t do the bare minimum behind it, which is to have a clear foundation, first, before applying other care products. It’s a deal every woman has to make with her skin, do I help her go all the way or not?

If you do not rinse, then half of the impurities will remain on the skin.

Didier Thevin, Director of International Training at Melvita

Wash with water to properly optimize this essential step in your daily beauty routine. “But the risk is that if the latter becomes particularly severe, we could feel the strain.” The Melvita brand director then recommends either applying a moisturizer immediately afterwards to combat the discomfort, or using filtered or thermal water. A third option is to use floral water. “We spray it or soak it on a cotton pad, reusable is preferable because it’s softer as well as being more ecological.” The advantage is also that these floral waters give a cosmetic effect, of course less than the cream, but still interesting, a bit like a toner that will neutralize the drying effect of lime. “For example, orange blossom has a calming aspect and will therefore be perfect for sensitive skin. The rose will tone and then we can spray it all over the face before wiping with a cotton pad.

For those who want a more in-depth routine, a second double-cleansing step is also available. “To remove all traces of makeup, pollution, etc. micellar water will help. On the other hand, for example, waterproof mascara is a bit more complicated, even if some can be effective. Double cleansing will really help to leave a clear space for the cream or serum that will follow.” As a first step, the expert recommends using a lipid-based product such as gel-in-oil, oil, or milk to remove makeup. Then, secondly, any water-based products to deep cleanse. “And in the morning, you can use its micellar water, which will be perfect for removing any impurities that may have formed or formed on the skin during the night.”

And the expert concludes that micellar water can become a part of our daily life if we use it correctly. “It’s a good product that can make our lives easier, but it still requires this rinsing step.”