How Does Micellar Water Work? The Science of Surfactants | Lab Muffin Beauty Science

Micellar waters, like Bioderma’s Sensibio H2O, are holy grail cleansers for make-up artists, beauty addicts and sensitive-skinned people. But how exactly do they work? What are micelles? And how are they different from just watery cleansers? Well, it's sort of like magnets and velcro. We're going to talk about surfactant chemistry today, but don't worry, I break it down so it doesn't get too technical! ;)
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[@AegisEpoch]

talking about micellar water gets me all.. emulsional

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

AegisEpoch OK that is amazing and I am stealing it

[@karinajianu2962]

=)))))))))))

[@quatzxice]

Ace

[@m.younis9849]

I'm dying here 🤣

[@DJRenee]

LOL 🤣🤣

[@erinhillstead9042]

Skincare science is the only science I can understand

[@anushag3459]

😄

[@aliciajade9808]

Totally agree!

[@coffee_2234]

Lol same any other science dosent interest me

[@mistressmars3200]

OK....so if you bought ANY brand of micellar water and are disappointed, don't throw it away! I just cleaned the front of all my kitchen cabinets, with 1/2 cup micellar water and a toothbrush. It cuts grease like a chain saw! Garnier Micellar ...utter rubbish for removing eye make up, bloody brilliant in the kitchen!

[@justStardust940]

This is all just high school chemistry but they never give good applications in the textbooks

[@user-nx6vn7ry3e]

The good news is that I paid attention in class. The bad news is that my teacher was awful.

[@claymodelexpert]

Yeah for real, idk why everyone is acting like you need to go to college to understand this

[@NaturallySerein]

amazing! my inner chemistry nerd totally approves this:) I really appreciate how much work and effort you put into your videos, it is truly unique nowadays comparing to other youtubers. Thank you, please keep them coming!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Naturally Serein Thank you! I'm so glad you like my videos :)

[@CatherinePhillipssapphire]

Obviously, this is quite an old video but I really found it helpful - so many KZbin Skin Care enthusiasts advise against Micellar water and say it is detergent - your scientific explanation was extremely helpful - now I'll go back to using - thank you.

[@scGenMOT]

SAME! So glad I decided to dig deeper after a KZbinr beauty influencer bashed it today. I won't return my Amazon Prime Day deal Bioderma's, after all, whew!

[@shamiana6640]

It's so expensive.. I'll just stick to my cheap garnier micellar water instead

[@luluthelongboi202]

shamiana 66 travel size my dude

[@mightyaxolotl74]

Lillyan Madrid how is travel size cheaper ?

[@luluthelongboi202]

mighty axolotl it’s just a smaller bottle cuz I couldn’t afford the full size

[@Monicalala]

It’s on sale right now on Dermstore and the bottle is twice as large, and it works better.

[@potato.pancake]

i just got 30 fluid ounces from costco for $10 😳😳

[@NatalieLloyd]

Came here because I bought miceller water to try it out and then was shocked at its magical makeup removing properties. Your video literally was exactly what I was looking for when I needed to understand what I’d just put on my face. So thank you, your wonderful internet makeup geekery is applauded!

[@ericatorres4890]

Being a pre-nursing student who is taking related science courses makes me appreciate my new acquired knowledge and the science memes

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Erica Torres Haha yes! A whole new world of dank memes!

[@WatermelonPeppermint]

DANK MEMES [Skin radiance intensifies]

[@theecologist10]

Those visual animations are so useful!Imagine a video like that for each skin care ingredient

[@SamSitcom]

OMG I am a biochemist and epidemiologist and I was just having a conversation with my cousins the other day that I wanted to make a blog about the science behind beauty products (because so much of it is misinformed jargon with test results advertised with tiny sample sizes and no clinical trials, etc, etc) - but now I don't have to because I found your channel!!! YAAAAAAY! I am so happy I found you :DDDD Subbed!!!!!

[@swaleyko]

This is fantastic! I love your calm presentation style too. Will definitely be subscribing!

[@jlhedits3785]

i love how you informed us on exactly what it is and got straight to the point. if only all of my teachers in high school were like you

[@jbachoura]

Hey Michelle, great video! I feel like you're getting a lot more relaxed in front of the camera which makes your content even more engaging!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

John Boo Thanks! I'm definitely getting more comfortable 😄

[@cynthia_ess]

I don’t know why but it made me laugh when you said mayonnaise after foundation 😂

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Cynthia Essiambre Hahaha they don't usually belong in a sentence together...

[@catstrawford]

Beautiful! It was clear and to the point. Loved the animation. Thank you!

[@Littlest_Squirell]

That was the first one of your videos I’ve ever seen I am so happy I always want to know this stuff the real ins and outs of what I am putting on my face and my body I love the little animated things and the way you explain that I am very excited to watch more of your videos thank you :)

[@oliviafagin293]

Miscellar water has changed my life. I can't seem to use any normal soaps or moisturizers on my skin without my skin feeling irritated, tight, and dry, (even the ones for sensitive sin...) but miscellar water removes all of my makeup and excess oil while still leaving enough moisture that my skin feels really good! My favorite brand is the "Yes To Cucumbers"!

[@user-gc3rv6jw3n]

Hi, how do you use this? Wipe it off with a cotton pad or leave it on? Many thanks

[@Maha1J]

I love ❤️ it! It’s the best product I used to my skin until now. My skin is becoming so better, and I leave it on I don’t wash it off

[@cameliap5990]

So informative and easy to understand! Thank you for all the work you put into these amazing videos 😍

[@Quarter_Turn]

This channel is the greatest! Such cool info!

[@fiona_lim]

hey michelle! thank you so much for making making chemistry related videos on beauty products! i'm planning to take chemistry as my first degree next year and one of my goals for the future is to (hopefully) go into research for formulating make up or skincare products and your videos have given me an insight into that aspect!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

fiona lim Oh that's awesome! :D I'm totally biased, but chemistry is fantastic!

[@suecone2198]

I so love knowing how these products work!!!

[@brigittefrancois9706]

Wow! Currently enrolled in a beauty course; I believe your videos will come in handy.

[@santapirogova1272]

I am second year pharmacy student from Latvia! Thank you, your videous are GREAT!!!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Thanks so much!

[@nashikara]

I love how you explain things! Thank you! I learned alot today.

[@annesophieg-n]

thank you for making this!

[@vismithasimha227]

I love your Channel. Litreally binge watching you videos right now. Keep going ♥️

[@jax4868]

This is very interesting and I been wondering this ever since it has cleared my acne completely

[@waynegross2113]

Awesome explanation! I enjoyed learning the science behind the product!

[@camilaparizzi9938]

I just graduated chemistry and I'm trying my way into the cosmetic field. Watching your videos just warms my heart ♡ keep up the good work

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Camila P Thank you so much! Congratulations and best of luck :)

[@avril.m.l]

I love your videos! They're so informative and not based on random stuff found on the internet.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Karla M Thank you so much! I do try really hard not to just rehash information you can find elsewhere, I feel like other people can do that much better than I can! :)

[@avril.m.l]

Lab Muffin Beauty Science I can tell you put in a lot of effort in the information you deliver, I've found your videos are incredibly helpful and easy to understand.

[@loandang6006]

Thank you Michele, 1st time hear someone explain it .So interesting!

[@kurokoru]

Love this. Please make more!

[@laurabatallanes2602]

who on earth wouldn't like this video!!???? definitely out of their mind! absolutely love your videos

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

María Laura Batallanes Thank you! You totally should - chemistry is so useful!

[@pelicanman96]

This video annoys the hell out of me. I hate how she explains things. This video is absolutly terrible.

[@RoselineJerryA]

@@pelicanman96 just leave child. you don't deserve knowledge

[@a-goblin]

i saw mycellar water at the drug store a couple of weeks ago and i dead ass thought they were scamming skincare lovers with some new "magic essence" water thing. i get it now.

[@maha.b1]

Amazing video! thanks for taking the time to explain things so clearly

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Maha Thanks for watching and commenting! :D

[@heathermaclean7704]

Hi Michelle. Hello from 🇨🇦 Loved this video. I always tell my customers that if their skin is easily irritated to rinse the micellar off before applying moisturiser.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Heather MacLean Yes! Great advice

[@suzyhazelwood9942]

That was the best explanation of how micelles work i've seen so far... so many You Tubers run on a lot about nothing, and never explain anything properly! 😅 I'm wondering what they are made of though? I doubt they are natural... or are they? I'd be concerned they're silicone or acrylate related.. or worse. 🙄 Although I like the sound of the product, I'm not convinced micelles are needed for a cleanser with a mix of water and oil. It all depends on what oils are used and also there are other ingredients that help those two work together on the skin. I use a natural based eye makeup remover made from buriti oil. I buy it from a supermarket, it's made for their personal natural range of cleansers by a cosmetic company. It also contains quite a lot of water. It just takes one shake up and down as you pour the cleanser onto cotton wool or tissue... once it's on a cotton pad or tissue it's mixed, it doesn't get unmixed. It's sooooo refreshing, feels like water on the skin and does a very gentle job of removing even waterproof eye makeup... no micelles needed, and no scrubbing eyes. It couldn't be easier to use. I don't even have to rinse it off, it doesn't cause any problems with the delicate eye area. I use an all natural baby wipe for the rest of my face, it's oil free, and again, feels like water on the skin. For years I used water to wash off cleansers as most never really suited my skin, but that just caused even more dry skin problems. Those two product are so amazing, and also relatively cheap too, I never have to use facial scrubs now. My skin no longer has dead skin cells that won't fall off without exfoliating... it's naturally soft and smooth and shiny. So having said that, I'm wondering what the need for micelles is, if it can be successfully achieved in another way. Have you ever tried water and oil based cleansers without micelles?

[@cclarke9301]

I admit micellar water has intrigued me for awhile. Now I’m no longer intrigued😊 Thank you Lab Muffin for saving me money😊

I love all you video! You can explain so beautiful the science in beauty cosmetics! Greetings and hugs from România 😗

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Debora Tentiș Thank you! :D

[@beforethedawn2701]

My dermatologist told me to switch my daily cleanser to just wiping with micellar water and I swear my skin has never been clearer

[@spoon694]

Do you still use your usual skincare products after cleansing with micellar water?

[@beforethedawn2701]

@@spoon694 yes, I still use my usual routine except for the cleanser!

[@spoon694]

@@beforethedawn2701 i appreciate it, thank you!

[@user-gc3rv6jw3n]

Hi, great. Do you use it 2 a day? And which one do you like? I want to try this out. And you dont need a toner anymore right? Many thanks

[@beforethedawn2701]

@@user-gc3rv6jw3n I use Bioderma H2O, at morning and at night. Toner is not necessary, but you can still use it if you want!

[@cathrynbengal9197]

I enjoyed this video as both a skincare and a food geek. Thanks!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Cathryn Bengal Surfactants are awesome in food!

[@Nagutama]

i love you and your channel. i learn so much in a fun way!

[@M377ow]

Your video is very educational, thank you for explaining what's in this stuff I'm putting on my face.

[@LindyFordNutritionWellness]

Great info. I just never found that these can handle my cray cray oily skin. . . I will keep trying. .

[@GodskidUr1]

Wow that was a pretty good breakdown of how its works

[@Chill-Pill]

I looove micellar water on a cotton pad to wipe over my skin when it needs a cleansing in between showers. Feels so good.

[@prettyladylh520]

I LOVE how nerdy this sounded Yet, very easy to understand;)

[@ae4285]

awesome video! super helpful! thank you :)

[@ekaterinakozlovskaia8082]

Hello Michelle. Thanks for the video, very informative. I also like Bioderma, however also really like Garnier one. Don't see much of a difference. However, although it is written often No rinse on the bottle, micellar waters should in fact be rinsed. They are make up removers, not toners. One wouldn't want to leave a make up remover on a face.

[@dreamof_me]

Ekaterina Kozlovskaia it depends on the ingredients, the Garnier ones have an ingredient that should be rinsed off, but other ones are safe to stay on the skin. It is actually pretty similar to what a toner would do

[@Patiektigeriausia]

Ginny D how micellar water can do the same thing as any toner? They are not the same, try to remove makeup with a regular toner and you won’t get it off 🙂

[@kathleennnnn]

@@dreamof_me what ingredients needs to be rinsed?

[@16stoneywood]

Fabulous video 💖

[@chelsey8737]

That is such a good analogy

[@fiasc0b0x]

Would love a DIY video for Micellar Water!

[@yasminabdelfattah3048]

Fantastic so simply put, thank you.

[@Ucceah]

it may not be necessary to rinse afterwards, but not doing so leaves my skin feeling kinda sticky/sweaty. and you cant beat the refreshing feeling of a splash of cold water to the face.

[@dafnagode6435]

Yesss love these videos Michelle!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Dafna Lila Yay! Eating that internet cake 😉

[@maggieshakalaka]

Unfortunately, even micellar water can contain harsh surfectants, so you still have to read the label to make sure it contains "good" ingredients, i.e. ingredients that work for your skin

[@hanantaha-md]

Very useful. Thank you.

[@Nepenthesis]

ur videos make me sad because what you know is so cool and i wish i had studied chem or bio :( i still love ur videos tho tysm for making them

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Aww don't be sad! It's never too late to learn 😉

[@terribaldin2291]

Just found your tutorials and so interesting! Is Garnier Micellear water same as Bioderma? Thank you for sharing

[@lchemplayil]

I take off makeup by putting some water on a soft facial tissue and adding bit of argan oil on top. It takes off my makeup way better than each of them individually and it doesn’t react to my sensitive, dry, eczemaic skin. It helps to avoid the surfactants and it’s really more effective than water or oil alone!

[@theskinrant5604]

I just discover you. Well Explained!... thank you

[@justStardust940]

Thanks for this video

[@thy_call_me_karma8469]

I love science and skin care ! *-*

[@laurenwhicker6612]

I paused and repaired so many times to bask in the fulll glory of these memes lololol

[@janechan8476]

Wow. A youtuber that's actually highly educated and has brains.

[@carolinaderidder8388]

I just found you but I already love you

[@PhuongAnhNguyen-ei4mu]

YOU ARE AMAZING

[@averygong3102]

Michelle you are much better than my chemistry teacher at school lol

[@angyeliz]

Very informative! 🍰

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

angyeliz Yay! I'm glad you think so 🎂

[@Xenonia_]

Learning about coloid through skincare science is the most fun way to understand lol

[@drnik67]

Thanks for another interesting video. You have the didactic gift! ;)

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

DrNik Thank you so much! :D

[@you2tooyou2too]

It would be nice to know what detergent concentrations are used or needed for various skin types. Thanks for this enlightening explanation of the physical chemistry of micelle behavior. Isn't there a significant difference between a detergent stabilized mix of oil & water, and a homogenized mix without the detergent?

[@haley_jane9600]

Is micellar water safe to use as a tattoo cleanser? I recently got one and the idea popped into my head that it would be cool if it was(tried researching and didn’t find much, and really don’t want to use it until I get more info). Also your voice is so soothing!! Thanks for the video

[@ccmm7093]

woah there this was a great videooo

[@leylaasici900]

Pause at 2:40 and try to imagine without context what these items have in common, seems an eclectic mix

[@o0oincognito0o85]

How doesn't she have more subscribers?!

[@garythesnail7098]

Great video! What is your opinion on micellar shampoos?

[@ChristinaMagma]

Very cool!

[@boomshell8506]

Your explanation is so Good😻 ... better than my college professors 🤦🏻‍♀️😅

[@7D7N7A7]

Thank you!

[@ljuboblajic4903]

Dear Michelle, 1) If I am right, you mentioned that cotton contains cellulose and that because of that we can use cotton pads with micellar water (3:25). From a chemistry point of view, does that mean we can can also use kitchen or toilet paper which are also made of cellulose? 2) Uplifted product from the skin stays on the pads. However, some film always remains on the skin, that is probably why some people presume that no rinse cleansing is not complete. 3) If I am right, you also say that all cleansing products use micelles, but with different surfactants and systems. I also use rinsing oil based gels (or oils) and no rinse oil based lotions. For gels (or oils), I use water and fingers, but for lotions some products advise to use fingers, light and short massage and cotton pads as a last step. However, does the massaging (melting) facilitate uplifting of the product from the skin in the equally effective way when we use lotions? I do not like to rinse the lotion off if the product does not advise to do it explicitely. For example, Avene does not recommend to rinse their lotions off, but for their milk for dry skin (59 % of Avene thermal water), they recommend to use their toner for dry skin (98 %) in order to complete cleansing. 4) If needed, I currently use the following three products. Thank you! 1) NO RINSE MICELLAR WATER. WATER (AQUA). GLYCERIN. PENTYLENE GLYCOL. ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE POWDER. AVENA SATIVA (OAT) FLOWER/LEAF/STEM JUICE (AVENA SATIVA FLOWER/LEAF/STEM JUICE). CITRIC ACID. COCO-GLUCOSIDE. ETHYL LAUROYL ARGINATE HCL. POLYGLYCERYL-4 CAPRATE. POLYGLYCERYL-6 CAPRYLATE. TARAXACUM OFFICINALE (DANDELION) RHIZOME/ROOT EXTRACT (TARAXACUM OFFICINALE RHIZOME/ROOT EXTRACT) 2) NO RINSE LOTION. WATER (AQUA). GLYCERIN. DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE. PENTYLENE GLYCOL. C14-22 ALCOHOLS. BEHENYL ALCOHOL. SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE. ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE POWDER. AVENA SATIVA (OAT) FLOWER/LEAF/STEM JUICE (AVENA SATIVA FLOWER/LEAF/STEM JUICE). C12-20 ALKYL GLUCOSIDE. CITRIC ACID. COCO-GLUCOSIDE. GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE. HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OIL). SODIUM BENZOATE. TARAXACUM OFFICINALE (DANDELION) RHIZOME/ROOT EXTRACT (TARAXACUM OFFICINALE RHIZOME/ROOT EXTRACT). TOCOPHEROL. XANTHAN GUM 3) GEL. WATER (AQUA). DISODIUM COCOAMPHODIACETATE. PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATE. DECYL GLUCOSIDE. POLYSORBATE 20. SODIUM CHLORIDE. CETEARETH-60 MYRISTYL GLYCOL. HYDROGENATED STARCH HYDROLYSATE. GLYCERIN. PEG-200 HYDROGENATED GLYCERYL PALMATE. 10-HYDROXYDECENOIC ACID. AVENA SATIVA (OAT) LEAF/STEM EXTRACT (AVENA SATIVA LEAF/STEM EXTRACT). BENZOIC ACID. CITRIC ACID. GLYCERYL LAURATE. LACTIC ACID. MALTODEXTRIN. OENOTHERA BIENNIS (EVENING PRIMROSE) OIL (OENOTHERA BIENNIS OIL). PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATE. TOCOPHEROL

[@alzbetamurray9617]

I was wondering if micellar water with oil is more suitable for dry skin? Do I have to rinse it off when it contains oil? Thank you x

[@perfumaphilia3246]

If you're removing an entire face of makeup at night, oil or balm cleansers are so much more efficient than micellar water, so I've never even owned a micellar water. I suppose they're necessary when you're a makeup artist and need to remove makeup or correct mistakes quickly without access to a sink and without leaving any oily residue. But because my skin is so dry, sensitive, and can also use moisture, I prefer to clean up eyeshadow fallout or other makeup mistakes with a tiny bit of my regular moisturizer.

[@Thatweirdtaurusboi]

Omg ur humor always make me laughhhh

[@InnateNobility]

I use the Simple brand of micellar water. I have very sensitive skin and it's extremely gentle on my face with no side effects, so go for that one if you're afraid of harshness. I know there's many comparable brands out there, but Simple stands by simple ingredients for their products and I've used Simple's skincare line for years with no bad results. I bought mine for only 10 dollars at CVS.

[@abd12459]

Me too .. I actually requested it as a gift from my co worker but he bought me Nivea 😒

[@InnateNobility]

@@abd12459 I use some Nivea products, but only their shaving cream, body lotion, body wash, and lip balm for bad weather protection. Not sure how I feel about anything else by them.

[@abd12459]

@@InnateNobility yuh but I'm not a fan of their micellar water though

[@user-gc3rv6jw3n]

Hi, do you use this 2 a day? And as your only cleanser? Also do you use a cotton pad with it? Or massage it and dont wash it off? Hope to hear

[@youngminlee3607]

How do you feel about pre made sun cushions? Are they not worth it? Should we just carry our sun screens around with cushion puffs instead?

[@pitchanunkongtaweesub8402]

Is it ok to replace face wash with micella water ? I just got my brows microbladed and i cant get it wet at least for a week hoping this might work and not ruin my skin! Help!

[@upomamoitro2999]

Finally the the things I've read in my text books are making sense

[@marjee7116]

Micellar water is the reason I remembered what a micelle was in my chem class lol

[@CaitKant]

Thank you

[@OlaCola100]

Hi, How did you make those animations? I am gonna have my oral presentation for my dissertation regarding to surfactants and I would like to make something similar like you! :)

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

I use Powerpoint mostly, and sometimes move things around on Premiere as well :)

[@javanesemystic]

🙏🏼🙏🏼 Thank you, this makes for amazing shampoo/conditioner. ✨✨ Even the conditioner isn't greasy 🤍🤍

[@FuriedHearts]

Can I use micellar water to remove sunscreen (I mostly use mineral ones) instead of using an oil cleanser/ oils? Like using the micellar water first to remove the sunscreen layer and then washing my face with a regular cleanser afterward?

[@ritacao5920]

Hi Michelle, can micellar waters, like Bioderma's Sensibio H2O, remove sunscreen? I am currently using cleansing oil. I am thinking about trying micellar water. Do they work the same?

[@grenmoyo3968]

HeyCh two Oh. I love it.

[@rosiemangerona5408]

Very helpful, can I use it as a shampoo for my scalp. Sometimes I used it instead wash my hair and really stopp itchy.

[@ummeumar4]

Can we use it daily as a cleanser? For acne prone skin?

[@Fyralynn]

I feel Micellar water is a little bit less of a rip off now. Thank you.