Are micellar waters good for the skin?

On the shelves of pharmacies, drugstores, perfumeries and even supermarkets you can find more and more products with “micelles”. Facial toner, make-up remover wipes, and shampoos trumpet the effectiveness of “micelles.”

The promise they offer is that the micelles practically magically attract dirt and they guarantee deep cleaning without rubbing the skin, which is why they are presented as soft and respectful products.

What are micelles?

Micelles describe the structure in which the soap molecules. They are tiny, only a few nanometers in size. Their special feature is that they can remove both water-soluble and fat-soluble make-up particles and other types of dirt.

Most micellar products are therefore facial cleansing products. However, the micelle principle can also be found in shampoos and dishwashing detergents.

in the shampoo, remove deposits and sebum from hair and scalp. They are especially suitable for frequent washing and for hair that becomes greasy quickly.

However, the micelles they are neither so new nor so revolutionary as advertised in advertisements for beauty products. After all, it is the usual surfactants that form micelles.

Surfactants are detergent-active substances that foam and remove dirt. When surfactants come into contact with water, micelles are always formed.

Are cosmetic products like micellar water dangerous?

The micelles are considered harmless according to current scientific knowledge. Micellar products have advantages and disadvantages. They clean much more thoroughly than conventional products, but this quick and deep cleaning carries the risk that other undesirable ingredients in the product, such as fragrances and preservatives, They can penetrate deep into the skin. This is because micelles are often formed through the use of surfactants such as PEG. Micellar products can also contain problematic preservatives.

Polyethylene glycols and chemically related substances (PEGs): some of the surfactants used in micellar water are PEG. On the one hand, PEGs and their derivatives help mix water and fat. On the other hand, they are responsible for the formation of foam in cosmetic products. However, PEG also makes the skin more permeable to foreign substances, such as preservatives, fragrances, and environmental toxins.Polyaminopropyl biguanide (PHMB): many micellar products contain the questionable preservative PHMB. In the context of European legislation on chemical products, at certain doses it is classified in the category of probable carcinogens, therefore it is advisable to avoid products that contain this compound in their formulation.Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT): As a preservative, BHT acts as a so-called antioxidant. The problem is that the substance is suspected of acting like a hormone. In animal experiments, it affected thyroid function. Therefore, the presence of this component also makes the product not recommended.

Micelles can not only be formed from PEG and derivatives, but also from other surfactants such as sugar and coconut oil. In that case they wouldn’t be a problem.

Critically review the ingredients of your micellar water

The good news is that there are many highly recommended micellar waters both certified natural cosmetics and conventional cosmetics. Most micellar waters They can be used to cleanse the face and remove make-up from the eyes. Those users who are satisfied with the cleaning effect of these products can even save money because it replaces several other products. there are special eye make-up removers that gently clean the delicate area around you. Cleansing milk, for example, is an alternative.Take a good look at the fine print. of the micellar water that you are going to buy. If you see among its ingredients, for example, “polyaminopropyl biguanide” (PHMB) it is better that you leave that product on the shelf. PHMB can also be found listed under many other names such as “polyhexanide”, “polyaminopropyl biguanide”, “polyhexamethylene biguanide” or trade names such as Baquacil, Cosmocil CQ and Vantocil.Natural cosmetics are always a good option, In these products, sugar and coconut oil are usually used as surfactants and do not contain petroleum derivatives.