Take a look at the #shelfies of skinfluencers and supermodels, and you’re likely to find a bottle of micellar water tucked away in there somewhere. A French beauty staple, it is said that micellar water first emerged in France to avoid the damaging effects of hard tap water on the skin. The rest of the beauty industry caught on and micellar water became available worldwide, but it remains a topic of confusion and improper usage. Let’s explore exactly what it is, how you should be using it, and why you may want to give J-beauty micellar waters a try.

What is micellar water and how does it differ from traditional J-Beauty cleansers?

Although at first glance micellar water looks like normal water, dip your fingers in it and you’ll find that it has a very different texture. That’s because it’s purified soft water filled with micelles or microscopic cleansing oil droplets that mop up dirt and oil from the skin. The water/oil combo allows it to remove trapped debris and wipe away excess sebum while hydrating and conditioning at the same time. This makes micellar water a great makeup remover or first step in a double cleanse, and unlike traditional toners, they never contain alcohol so they’re ideal for dry and sensitive skin types. However, the cornerstone of any good J-Beauty routine is a thorough cleanse with a splash of water, so depending on the condition of your skin that day, you may want to follow-up with a foaming cleanser or cleansing cream. Look to J-Beauty micellar waters for a light cleanse, to fix or retouch makeup, or to act as your essence toner (more on that below).

How should you use micellar water?

As with all products, there is a right and wrong way to use micellar water. You’ll want to soak a cotton pad with the cleanser and gently sweep across areas you have makeup or buildup. Be extra attentive to the eye area, and first press the cotton pad down on the eye to help loosen the makeup before sweeping it away. You do not want to harshly rub or tug at the skin, but just enable dirt and debris to lift off naturally. Micellar water formulas are so gentle that there’s no need to rinse them off. They make for a convenient post-workout wipe down or elegant solution in sweaty situations.

What makes J-Beauty micellar waters unique?

J-Beauty micellar waters are designed to double as essence toners, which help to nourish, soften, hydrate, and prime the skin for any products you layer on afterwards, including serums, treatments, and moisturizers. Plus, J-Beauty micellar waters are loaded in active ingredients that target specific skin concerns. Since you don’t need to wash off your J-Beauty micellar water, the active ingredients can stay behind to be fully absorbed by your skin.

Right now, we’re loving the Bifesta Micellar Cleansing Water collection, which comes in three different varieties (SENSITIVE, MOIST, and BRIGHTUP) to support sensitive, dry, and lackluster skin types. Ingredients like pullulan for skin-tightening, Vitamin C for brightening, and lactic acid for gentle exfoliation make each product a multi-tasking hero, and they function as a cleanser, essence lotion, and treatment all in one.

The Bifesta Micellar Cleansing Water SENSITIVE is made for sensitive skin types to easily and gently remove makeup and dirt that accumulates throughout the day. The micellar particles help to bring the makeup and dirt to the surface of the skin, making it easy to wipe off with a cotton pad.

The Bifesta Micellar Cleansing Water MOIST easily and gently remove makeup and dirt that accumulates throughout the day. The micellar particles help to bring the makeup and dirt to the surface of the skin, making it easy to wipe off with a cotton pad. Because the cleansing water, including the makeup removing properties, is made with essence lotion properties, there is no need to wash off with water. You can cleanse your face anytime, anywhere. Can also be used as a cleansing essence lotion for morning use. 

The Bifesta Micellar Cleansing Water BRIGHTUP easily and gently remove makeup and dirt that accumulates throughout the day while also helping to brighten the skin.  Because the cleansing water is made with essence lotion properties, there is no need to wash off with water. You can cleanse your face anytime, anywhere. Can also be used as a cleansing essence lotion for morning use. 

Let’s just celebrate this moment for the lazy girl in all of us. In this case, less is more, and less means working smarter, not harder. The sophisticated micellar water is far from daunting. It’s a genius beauty hack we all deserve to know about!