micellar water

[mahy-sel-er waw-ter, wot-er]

noun

1. a liquid skin cleanser made up of tiny particles, or micelles, of mild soap or detergent dispersed in purified water, usually with the addition of moisturizers, vitamins, etc..

   Many people use micellar water daily to remove makeup and dirt without stripping the natural oils from their skin.

Word History and Origins

Origin of micellar water¹

First recorded in 1900–05, for an earlier sense; 2010–15, for the current sense

Example Sentences

"Double cleansing involves removing makeup first using an oil-based cleanser or micellar water, and then I cleanse again to clean deeper in the pores."

From BBC

I love micellar water for cleansing.

From New York Times

If you sweat underneath your mask, Dr. Shari Marchbein, a dermatologist in New York, suggests using micellar water or a gentle cleanser to do a quick wash when you take it off.

From New York Times

Just saturate a cotton pad or cloth with micellar water and gently wipe away excess dirt, debris and oil, she explains.

From Seattle Times

If you truly need simplicity or know you won’t stick to a regimen, Engelman says micellar water can be a quick one-stop shop.

From Seattle Times