Micellar water vs toner – what is the difference? We’ll cover what they both are in this article, as well as whether you need both of these products in your routine or not.
Toners have been labeled as an essential part of skin care regimens, but many people still don’t know what they do for the skin.
Similarly, micellar water has become popular over the years, but a lot of people don’t know why it’s needed. As micellar water is applied to the skin with a cotton pad, just like a toner, it’s easy to confuse the two products.
This post may have affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission on purchases through the links (at no extra cost to you). This does not change our opinion but does help support the site. Thank you!
What Does Micellar Water Do?
Micellar water is used as a cleanser. It consists of oil and water, which helps to get rid of makeup, sunscreen, and dirt from your face.
The oil is held within soft water, suspended in tiny droplets called micelles. These micelles gently remove impurities when applied to the skin.
Micellar water is gentle and doesn’t contain any alcohol, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Some varieties also contain ingredients that are hydrating or soothing.
As micellar water already has water within it, you don’t need to rinse it off to remove the product. It’s quick and easy to use, you just wet a cotton pad with the solution, then wipe it over the face.
As it’s kind to the skin and simple to use, micellar water has quickly grown in popularity.
What Does Toner Do?
Toners are normally used after the first cleansing stage. These contain a mix of water and ingredients that are good for the skin, such as glycerine, antioxidants, or acids.
After cleansing the skin, your skin’s pH level is disrupted. Toners are used to keep and restore your skin’s pH level to alkaline.
Toners can also remove any dirt or impurities that your cleanser didn’t remove. Depending on its ingredients, they can also hydrate and plump up the skin.
Micellar Water Vs Toner
Wen considering micellar water vs toner remember that they have different functions, you can’t exactly compare the two products. Micellar water is a gentle cleanser.
It hydrates while removing impurities from the skin. Toners are only used after cleansing to balance the skin’s pH level, although they can also hydrate if they contain the right ingredients.
Toner also prepares the skin for serums and moisturizers, so the skin can absorb these easier.
If we were to compare the two, micellar water does more things than toner. It removes makeup and dirt, cleaning the skin and hydrating it at the same time.
Toner is needed to keep the skin alkaline, but doesn’t cleanse the skin like micellar water can.
Micellar waters contain few ingredients, so they are great for dry or sensitive skin. These formulas won’t take your natural oils away, so your skin won’t dry out.
Some varieties can also contain moisturizing ingredients, like glycerin. Glycerin keeps the skin hydrated and it can also help wounds and scars heal.
Micellar water is also great to take camping or when water isn’t in a large supply, as you don’t have to rinse it off afterward.
Micellar water might do more, but toner does have an advantage. Oily skinned and acne-prone individuals can find that micellar water can break them out.
This is due to the oil inside the formula which can clog pores. If you get spots often or have oily skin, toner is a better choice.
If you wear heavy eye makeup or thick foundation, you might find that micellar water won’t be able to remove some of your makeup. Using a makeup remover before your cleanser might work better for you instead.
Are Micellar Water And Toner the Same?
Micellar water and toners are similar in that they do clean the skin. However, micellar water removes heavy makeup, sunscreen, and impurities better than toner.
Though some varieties can be hydrating, toner hydrates the skin better than micellar water. Toner can’t be used to remove makeup completely, so a cleanser is always needed before you use one.
Can Micellar Water Be Used As A Toner?
Micellar water is a great all-in-one product, so you can replace toner with it if needed. On the other hand, you cannot replace micellar water with toner.
Toner doesn’t have strong cleaning ingredients, so it can leave makeup residue or dirt if used as a cleanser.
If you use micellar water as a first-stage cleanser, you won’t need to use a toner afterward. You should never use toner to clean your face, but you should use it to hydrate and restore the pH level after cleansing.
Do I Need To Tone After Micellar Water?
Toner is necessary after you have used a cleanser to clean your face, but you don’t have to use it after micellar water. Micellar water acts like a toner, as it hydrates the skin while cleaning stubborn dirt away from the face.
Micellar water doesn’t affect the skin’s pH balance either, so you don’t need to use a toner to get your skin back to an alkaline level.
Should I Wash My Face After Using Micellar Water?
If you don’t wear a lot of makeup and have normal skin, you don’t need to rinse after micellar water. However, oilier skin or spot-prone individuals should use a cleanser afterward.
This will make sure that any oils from the micelles aren’t left on the face. If they are left on the skin, these might cause spots or make skin oiler.
If you wear heavy or waterproof makeup, you might prefer to wash your face to ensure that all makeup residue is removed.
Should You Moisturise After Using Micellar Water?
Micellar water is hailed as an all-in-one product, but it cannot hydrate the skin as effectively as moisturizers can. These solutions can be hydrating, but not at the level that your skin needs.
Even if your micellar water claims otherwise, always use a moisturizer in your skincare regimen.
The Bottom Line
Micellar water and toner both clean the skin, but they do so at different levels. Micellar water can cleanse, tone, and hydrate all in one product. Toner is a less effective cleanser but is used to maintain the skin’s optimum pH level.
Micellar water may have several advantages, but oily skin may find that it can trigger spots or oiliness. If you have oily skin and want to use micellar water, use a facial cleanser afterward to remove all residue from your face.