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

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 Washington Post

“Micellar water is a combination of purified water, surfactants and moisturizing ingredients,” she says.

From Washington Post