Micellar Water Vs Toner: Which Is Better? (You're Not Ready For The Truth)

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Want to know the difference between micellar water vs toner? Read this first.

We are seeing the battle of micellar water vs toner from the day micellar water was dropped into our life. Oh yes, toners have been a part of our skincare routine long before. But even though most of you know and swear by toners in your routines, I bet some of you may not even know why you use them, what they do for your skin, and the fact that they are not even necessary to have flawless skin.

And same is the case with micellar waters. They are all so hyped up by beauty bloggers and makeup artists that you may not even properly know why you ‘have to’ use them in your routine.

If you carefully read the benefits of both the products, there are chances that you’ll probably get confused between the two because basically, both of them are water-type liquid that helps cleanses the skin. So micellar water vs toner, which is better? What is the difference? What should I use? Are they both the same? If you are looking for simple answers to all these questions, I have some interesting things to say. Keep reading!

What is micellar water?

In simple words, Micellar water is a cleansing product made up of a combination Micellar water is a cleansing water that contains tiny micelles, or cleansing molecules, that attract and lift away dirt, makeup, and oil from the skin. of oil and water that helps get rid of everything on your face, including makeup, dirt, impurities, and sunscreen. It is a healthy formulation in which tiny droplets of oil known as micelles are suspended in soft water, which helps break out makeup (even the waterproof one), oil, dirt, and all the impurities from your face, leaving it squeaky clean.

Micellar water doesn’t usually contain alcohol. Instead, it is very gentle to the skin (and sometimes hydrating depending upon the ingredients. You don’t have to rinse it or water it off as it already has water in it, which does the work quite efficiently.

These are the reason that Micellar water has caught a popular name for itself despite its launching in our lives pretty recently.

What is toner?

micellar water vs toner which is better?

A toner is usually your second stage of cleansing after you have cleansed your face with a cleanser. It is a combination of water and skin-benefiting ingredients, such as antioxidants, acids, or glycerine. The most important (or only) function of a toner is to maintain and restore the pH level of your skin after your cleansers disturb the natural balance and make it alkaline.

Moreover, toner can help remove any leftover dirt and bacteria after cleansing and can hydrate and flush the skin with its other skin-loving ingredients.

Which is better toner or micellar water?

The battle of micellar water vs toner isn’t really comparable due to the different purposes of both products. Micellar water is a super gentle cleanser used to remove makeup, dirt, and oil from the skin and leave it clean and hydrated. On the other hand, a toner is always used after cleansing to balance the pH level of the skin. And sometimes can also be used for hydrating and deep cleansing depending on the other ingredients it has.

So apparently, Micellar water is an all-in-one face wash, makeup remover, toner, and moisturizer. Whereas toner only cleanses the leftover dirt and bacteria after cleansing and preps your skin to allow other skincare products to penetrate deeper and faster.

difference between toner and micellar water

That being said, toner has an edge for people with oily and acne-prone skin, as Micellar water isn’t suitable for such skin types. Micellar water contains some amount of oil, which can clog the pores and cause acne if left on the skin. So, in that case, preferring toner would be a much better choice.

In short, both micellar water and toner almost does the same job of cleansing the skin, but micellar water is better than toner in removing makeup and hydrating the skin. But people with oily and acne-prone skin should prefer a toner over micellar water if they don’t want their skin to break out.

Is micellar water the same as a toner?

Even though there’s not much difference between the two, micellar water is not exactly the same as a toner, but it usually has the same effect. Micellar water cleanses the skin better with little hydration whereas, toner is more of a hydrating agent and cannot be used to remove makeup or dirt completely.

Can micellar water replace toner?

While you can replace micellar water with toner, the reverse isn’t true because toner doesn’t have the same strong cleansing properties and cannot really remove much makeup. So if you use micellar water as a cleanser, you don’t essentially need a toner. But if you use a face wash, especially the one with harsh chemicals, then you definitely need a gentle toner for better and hydrated skin.

Should I use a toner after micellar water?

You need to use a toner only when you have removed the makeup or cleansed the skin with a facial cleanser, especially the one with harsh chemicals or foam. But you don’t really have to use a toner directly after micellar water because micellar water acts like an all-over toner that cleanses and hydrates the skin simultaneously. And doesn’t disturb the skin’s pH balance.

Is it okay to use micellar water as a toner?

Yes, you can use micellar water as a toner because micellar water is a multi-purpose face wash, makeup remover, toner, and hydrator. It also pulls out the leftover dirt and impurities just like our usual toner.

Micellar water vs toner for acne

Toners definitely have an edge for people with oily and acne-prone skin, as Micellar water isn’t suitable for such skin types. Micellar water contains some amount of oil, which can clog the pores and cause acne if left on the skin. So, in that case, preferring toner would be a much better choice. Also, toners can have additional active ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, or other acne-fighting ingredients that can help reduce oil and prevent acne, whereas micellar water doesn’t have that.

Does micellar water remove pimples?

In a way, yes it helps remove pimples as it cleanses the skin off pimple-causing dirt and impurities. But make sure to use a water-based one as oil-based may worsen the situation.

is micellar water a toner?

Technically, no. But it can certainly perform some of the same functions as a toner, making it an ideal alternative for those with sensitive skin or for those who prefer not to use alcohol-based products.

Can I use micellar water every day?

You can probably use micellar water every day as it cleanses your skin and increases skin penetrability for other skincare products, you should break the cycle and use facial cleansers once in a while as they are much more robust and deeply cleanses the skin.

Is micellar enough to clean your face?

The short answer is yes, micellar water can thoroughly cleanse your face and remove all traces of makeup, dirt, and oil. However, it’s important to remember that micellar water is not a replacement for your regular cleanser.

Micellar water is often hailed as a miracle product for its ability to cleanse the skin and remove makeup without harsh chemicals.

While it’s fine to use micellar water as your sole cleansing method if you’re in a pinch, it’s best used as a first step in your cleansing routine to remove makeup and surface impurities before following up with a foaming cleanser or gel cleanser to deep cleanse your pores.

Does micellar water tone skin?

Yes, micellar water is an all-over toner that can help cleanse and tone the skin effectively. Not only that, it acts as a makeup remover, facial cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, all in one bottle.

Can I Use Micellar Water And Toner At The Same Time?

Micellar water and toner are both great for your skin, but they serve different purposes. Micellar water removes makeup and impurities from your skin, whereas toner balances the pH of your skin. You can definitely use them both at the same time. If you do so, your routine would be micellar water < cleanser < toner.

Can you use micellar water if you don’t wear makeup?

Absolutely! Even when you don’t wear makeup or wear very little makeup, you can use micellar water to remove all the oil, dirt, and impurities your skin attracts all day.

Can I use micellar water to remove sunscreen?

Micellar water is known to remove every little thing on your face, including sunscreen. The tiny droplets of oil, called micelles, suspended in soft water help draw out all the impurities from the face, leaving it squeaky clean and hydrated.

Do I need to wash my face after micellar water?

Do I Need To Wash The Face After Micellar Water?

That’s simple, If you have normal skin or wear little to no makeup, then not rinsing after Micellar Water is perfect. But in case you have oily or acne-prone skin or wear heavy makeup, it is recommended to use a face wash after Micellar Water even if the label says not to.

Do you moisturize after micellar water?

Honestly, even when your micellar water says that it hydrates the skin, that hydration won’t be enough for your skin needs. So always go with a real moisturizer after micellar water as usual.

Final Thoughts on micellar water vs toner

In my opinion, both the products perform almost the same functions. But micellar water is much better than toner as it can act as a makeup remover, a cleanser, a toner, and a moisturizer all in one, but toner can only be used to remove the leftover dirt and grime after cleansing and is mostly used to maintain and restore the pH levels of the skin.

However, micellar water should not be your preference if you have oily or acne-prone skin because the oil in that can always trigger acne if not removed by a proper facial cleanser.

You can pick a favorite and stick to it based on your skin type and skincare routine. So basically, everybody wins in this battle of the micellar water vs toner.

Micellar water vs toner: Which is better?