Micellar Waters & Facial Oils: Oil & Water Really CAN mix!

Micellar Waters and  Facial Oils are all the rage in the beauty world right now and you may be getting questions from your patients. Here’s what you need to know about how oil and water really CAN mix…in a skin care routine, that is!

Micellar Water
Is a three-in-one multitasker for cleansing, toning and removing makeup, doesn’t require rinsing and it feels refreshing on skin.

In the most basic sense, micellar water is a soft water solution with cleansing molecules, or micelles, suspended inside. These are spherical in shape and made up of individual surfactant molecules that have a round head and a long wavy tail. In a micelle, the heads of the surfactant molecules all point outward, and they happen to be attracted to water. The tails are attracted to oil, and point inward. Normally, water and oil don’t mix. But because the oil-loving tails of the surfactant molecules point inward toward the middle of the micelle, they never have to be close to the water they repel. This balance allows the micelle to hang out in the water with no trouble.

Micellar waters are dispensed onto cotton pads for use. When you soak a cotton pad in micellar water, the heads of the surfactant molecules stick to the cotton and the oil attracting tails poke up. Oil, of course, attracts oil and when you sweep the pad across your face, any impurities will cling to the tails like a magnet and be gently drawn out of skin.

Facial Oils
We’ve all been taught to avoid oil in your skincare products at all costs – especially acne patients! But facial oils have come a long way since some of the low-quality, pore-clogging formulas of the past. The lightweight texture and highly concentrated actives in oils can provide unique benefits, and now there’s one available for almost every skin type.

Facial oils are usually composed of a blend of botanical oils, like coconut, grapeseed, argan, jojoba and almond oils. These botanical oils provide powerful antioxidant protection and absorb more quickly and easily than other types of formulas. They also provide a quick boost of moisture, and can be worn either alone, layered with creams and lotions or even added directly to your patients’ favorite moisturizer. With some warm and some lingering cool days on the horizon before the spring weather finally levels out, and facial oils are a versatile way to keep skin balanced and hydrated since they can be easily adapted to the levels of moisture your patients need.

BONUS: Did you know there are micellar cleansing oils, too? These work the same as micellar water, but instead of a soft water base, they have an oil base for even more hydration. Just squeeze some on a cotton pad and cleanse as you would with a water. Truly the best of both worlds!

The Perfect Pair

We think micellar water and facial oil are a match made in heaven for spring because:
• They’re gentle and great for even your most sensitive patients.
• They cut steps out of a routine, helping to increase patient compliance.
• They’re versatile enough to adapt to finicky weather and changes in your patients’ skin.
• You’ll get credit for your patients’ skin feeling and looking great!

by Stepha V.