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Micellar waters are great for when you’re strapped for time.It’s easy to use – just pour some on a cotton pad, wipe your face with it and you’re good to go. It also tends to be gentler as compared to cleansing wipes, which may be too rough on the skin.
Micellar water contains cleansing molecules (or micelles) that act as tiny magnets to attract and remove dirt and impurities.
It is a no-rinse formula so technically speaking, you don’t have to cleanse again after. However, most women I’ve spoken to tend to still wash their face again, either because they don’t enjoy the sensation the micellar water leaves or because they want to ensure that there’s nothing left behind.
To be honest, I am one of those women.
However, I recently got the chance to try the new Kiehl’s Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water ($45), which totally took away any misgivings I ever had about the fast working cleansers.
ALSO READ: 4 WAYS TO USE MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER
Infused with skin-soothing Thyme Essential Oil and Lemon Balm Floral Water, the formula is non-stripping, soap-free and sulfate-free, to gently remove dirt, impurities and makeup without stripping skin’s moisture barrier.
Great for sensitive complexions, it is non-comedogenic and ophthalmologist-tested for use around the eye area, and dermatologist tested for use on the lip area.
I found that it gave my skin an extremely thorough cleanse – just a few wipes over the entire face and all traces of makeup were gone. It also has a subtle citrusy scent that’s calming but not overpowering.
But here’s why I love it so much – and why it’s become my new go-to makeup cleanser: While some micellar waters leave a slightly sticky feeling that you can’t wait to wash off, and others make your skin feel dry and in need of moisture, this does neither. My face felt fresh and clean, as well as soft and protected, as if I had just applied a watery hydrating serum over it.
This is because the Kiehl’s Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water contains glycerin, which is said to provide skin with moisture for up to 24 hours. After removing my makeup, I didn’t wash my face or apply skincare for six hours after. And yet, my skin continued to feelhydrated and soft, which has never happened with any other micellar water I’ve used.
ALSO READ: TRIED AND TESTED: MICELLAR WATERS THAT REMOVE THE TOUGH STUFF