Have you heard of micellar water before? I hadn’t until a few readers started asking me what my thoughts were on this supposedly magical must have beauty product. So of course, I started researching to see what all the fuss is about.
So what IS micellar water?
Basically, it’s water that contains tiny droplets of cleansing oil molecules (known as micelles – hence the name micellar water) suspended in soft water. These micelles are attracted to dirt, oil, sebum, and other impurities on the skin. When micellar water is used after cleansing, it draws out these impurities without drying out the outer most dermal layer of the skin, leaving it supple and moisturized! It’s basically all you need to cleanse, tone, and moisturize without the need for rinsing afterward. No stripping, no oiliness, just clean beautiful skin.
Micellar water is also known to remove makeup without leaving behind an oily residue like traditional makeup removers. Its gentle properties make it perfect for dry sensitive skin types as it doesn’t strip or irritate the skin. Those with acne prone skin may find micellar water to be the perfect addition to their skin care routine.
So clearly after reading all of these amazing things I was pretty eager to try it out!
However, all the micellar water I’ve looked into so far contain less than natural ingredients. Such a bummer! So obviously, I needed to see if I could make micellar water at home.
How to Make Micellar Water with All-Natural Ingredients
I’ve looked at a ton of brands and their micellar water ingredients and have come up with a few natural alternatives that will give you the same degree of efficacy without the chemicals.
The key we’re looking for is a mix of water, a humectant, and an astringent that will attract and suck up dirt, oil, make-up, and other residue on the skin without stripping or disrupting the acid mantle.
One of the best humectants I know of is vegetable glycerin; a fabled beauty secret in France for smooth supple skin. Glycerin is also known to help the skin retain moisture, smooth out rough texture, and gives the skin a healthy and moisturized appearance.
Next I needed and astringent, and what better choice than witch hazel? It helps to remove dirt and excess oil while also tightening the pores.
Lastly, I needed water but not just any water! In order to keep the PH of the skin balanced, I needed a water that was healing, supportive, and nourishing for the skin. So of course, I went with rose water but you could honestly use any type of herbal hydrosol. You can learn how to make your own rose water here.
In the end, I also decided to add a tiny bit more moisture and healing properties by adding a few drops of carrier oil. You can use anything from sweet almond oil, argan oil, or rosehip oil for this but you may not need it. I decided to use ozone infused hemp seed oil for its acne fighting properties and healing benefits.
How to Make Micellar Water at Home
Now that we know which ingredients we need, here’s how to make a 2oz batch of homemade mycellar water:
• 3TB rose water
• 2 tsp witch hazel (alcohol free)
• 1 tsp vegetable glycerin
• 3 drops carrier oil of choice
Loving Preparation – Micellar Water Recipe
• Add each ingredient to the 2oz dropper bottle
• Cap closed and mix well before use
To Use
After cleansing the skin, add some homemade micellar water to a cotton ball or pad and gently swipe it over the skin.
There is no need to rinse.
Repeat twice daily or as needed.
Since this is made with water and no preservatives, I keep the quantity small so I can use it up before it goes rancid. Typically, this recipe last a week out of the fridge and about 2 weeks in the fridge.
What is your favorite all natural micellar water? Please let me know in the comments below!
You may also enjoy:
Hyperpigmentation Reducing Acne Serum
12 Ways to Treat Acne Inside and Out
Hemp Seed Oil- The New Holy Grail Acne Treatment?
The Complete List of Comedogenic Oils
The Oil Cleansing Method
Essential Oils for Specific Skin Types
Could you not use a drop of myrr as a presavtive? It has healing and preserving properties?
No, unfortunately 🙁 It isn’t enough.
Discovered micellar recently and looove it. I’ve used a bunch: Roche-Posay (good), Boots Botanicals (good), Sephora brand (OK, but scented, yuck), Simple (good). But my holy grail is the Garnier with the pink cap (nonwaterproof). Doesn’t irritate or dry my skin and is super affordable. For the people who had problems with it, the one for waterproof makeup with the blue cap is not really a micellar, IMO. It’s clearly a bi-phase product that you need to shake — pretty sure that makes it not a micellar (but it’s probably good for removing eye makeup).
Great formula ! for those who don’t want to use vegetable glycerin most of it is obtained using coconut anyway – so why not use that as a substitution. I’m trying not to spend money so I’m not going out and buying distilled water. This formulation is wonderful because I don’t have to do buy a thing! I can use existing ingredients I already posses. Also, we Americans are a bit spoiled. Can’t always find “distilled” water or even bottled water in some of the villages I’ve been in. But this formula can be made anywhere. Never been to a country where I couldn’t find Witch Hazel. Usually carry a small bottle of Thayers or Dickinson’s with me anyway and always have essential oil with me. I always have some type of flower water on me as well usually rose (I work outdoors I live by floral water blends a huge help in 90+ F degree weather.) But what’s great about this recipe is I can just make it as I need it a drop here, some squirts there. I don’t need to bottle some for a “later” time that’s usually a recipe for it going to waste for me. Single application as I do my daily makeup removal routine. AWESOME! Thank You. And thanks for keeping it simple. Crikey…sometimes a girl just wants to throw a formulation together. Not spend an hour or two going to the store or ordering of Amazon or another site. Nor do we always have the money!
please use distilled water it is not simply something you can leave out. water forms bacteria very easily
Glycerin’s chemical formula is C3H8O3. (Its “real” name, i.e. the ones chemists use, is glycerol.) It’s the same molecule, no matter how it’s made, just like pure water is H2O no matter whether it comes from plants or animals. Vegetable glycerin is made from plants, so if you are vegan, that’s probably what you prefer, but in terms of comedogenic ratings, vegetable and animal glycerin is the same because it’s the exact same molecule.
how about using distilled water?
Yes, you could certainly give that a try! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Hi! What can i use instead of witch hazel? I dont get it here.
Hi Faiza!
Hmmm… I suppose you could use rose water but it won;t have the same cleansing effect that witch hazel does 🙁
Hi, is there an alternative for witch hazel?
What does the glycerin do? Is it just as binder for the oil and water, or does it have some other purpose?
Hi Sandra!
The glycerin is meant to soften the skin 🙂
Won’ t certain carrier oils act as a preservative or adding vitamin e?
Hi Lacy!
Unfortunately, if there is any water in a homemade recipe, germs WILL reproduce and spoil the product unless you use a full spectrum preservative 🙁 Vitamin E and other carrier oils are no match for water.
I’m allergic to roses. So I can’t use rosewater. What is another alternative for the ‘water’ part of the recipe?
Absolutely! You can use any hydrosol you like. Another great alternative would be lavender hydrosol 🙂
Does vegetable glycerin have the same comedogenic rating as Glycerin? I can’t find it on any lists.
Hi Kate!
As long as both types of glycerin are derived from vegetables, then they are the same 🙂 There is an animal based version, but I don’t know what comedogenic rating that would have.
Just made this today! Quick question though, when you use this is there a residue left on your skin? I’m guessing it’s the vegetable qlycerin, but did you have this issue? Thanks in advance (:
Hi Ashley!
I didn’t have any residue, but if you feel like your batch does, I would just lessen the amount of vegetable glycerin 🙂
Awesome, going to give it a go. I love that you find out how to make your own, and a lot cheaper than the big companies selling their toxic water. The future of skincare is DIY!! Thank you
Can you use rose hydrosol in lieu of rosewater?
Hi Roush!
Yes! 🙂
Would you mind sharing the link for making rise water? I didn’t see the hyperlink.
Hi Dianna!
You can find it HERE 🙂