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With more and more consumers on board with the practice of double cleansing, what happens to good old micellar water?

Has double cleansing made micellar water redundant?

With more and more consumers on board with the practice of double cleansing, what happens to good old micellar water? 

Cleansing your skin is one of the few non-negotiable steps in your skincare routine, along with moisturiser and sunscreen application. It’s the opening step for a reason; no skincare product—not even the most potent serum or most expensive moisturiser—will lend productive results, if the skin isn’t clean enough to absorb it thoroughly. Today, more and more consumers have realised this,which explains why double cleansing has earned popularity. According to a report by Verified Market Research, the market size of the facial cleansing segment, valued at USS$2.15 billion in 2021, is projected to reach US$ 8.27 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4 per cent between 2022 and 2030, explaining the augmented consumer inclination towards exploring products and their variants in this category. 

Many skincare brands have made it to the ‘it’ list due to their cleansing balm product—Farmacy, Elemis, The Inkey List, and Then I Met You are just a few examples. Closer home, brands like Aminu, d’you and FAE Beauty have also jumped on the bandwagon. However, given how cleansing balms have become commonplace, is micellar water losing traction? We ask skincare and make-up professionals if one still needs to use micellar water in their routine, especially if they’ve switched to double cleansing. 

According to a report by Verified Market Research, the market size of the facial cleansing segment, valued at USS$2.15 billion in 2021, is projected to reach US$ 8.27 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate  of 5.4 per cent. Image: Instagram.com/biodermausa

According to a report by Verified Market Research, the market size of the facial cleansing segment, valued at USS$2.15 billion in 2021, is projected to reach US$ 8.27 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 5.4 per cent. Image: Instagram.com/biodermausa

Since it involves the use of two cleansers, double cleansing helps take off heavy make-up and tinted sunscreen effectively. If you have excessive oily skin, double cleansing is necessary to thoroughly remove the buildup and prevent breakouts. Image: Instagram.com/clinique_in

Since it involves the use of two cleansers, double cleansing helps take off heavy make-up and tinted sunscreen effectively. If you have excessive oily skin, double cleansing is necessary to thoroughly remove the buildup and prevent breakouts. Image: Instagram.com/clinique_in

What is double cleansing?

As the term suggests, double cleansing refers to two rounds of cleansing—the first is usually oil-based, to rid the skin of sunscreen, make-up and gunk, followed by using a cleanser to remove impurities and sebum. “Double cleansing has multiple benefits,” says Mumbai-based celebrity dermatologist Dr Madhuri Agarwal. “Since it involves the use of two cleansers, it helps take off heavy make-up and tinted sunscreen effectively. When there is exposure to high levels of pollution, or if you have excessive oily skin, double cleansing is necessary to thoroughly remove the buildup and prevent breakouts.” New Delhi-based aesthetician Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, however, believes that double cleansing is usually not necessary. “For most people, washing your face once a day thoroughly with a gentle cleanser is more than adequate as over-washing is more harmful than incorporating the benefits of a double cleansing routine.” 

“MICELLAR WATER CAN BE INCORPORATED AS THE FIRST STEP OF DOUBLE CLEANSING, SHOULD YOU WISH TO USE IT. OTHERWISE, DOUBLE CLEANSING [USE A CLEANSING BALM] WORKS JUST AS WELL. USING MICELLAR WATER IN ADDITION COULD MEAN OVERDOING CLEANSING”

Dr Madhuri Agarwal

Micellar water and double cleansing need not be mutually exclusive. For instance, one bottle of Garnier’s Micellar Water is sold every four seconds worldwide, while one bottle of Bioderma’s Sensibio H2O is sold every three seconds. That’s how much consumers swear by micellar water. However, the conventional double-cleanse routine doesn’t typically involve the use of micellar water—a cleansing balm and a cream/foaming cleanser have taken precedence. “Micellar water is used typically as a make-up remover, especially when you are unable to access water. It is made of purified water, gentle surfactants and soothing humectants such as glycerin. Additionally, the formulation comprises micelles (ball-shaped molecules) that attract dirt and oil from the skin’s surface, pull them out, and cleanse the skin well without irritation,” says Agarwal. 

Contrary to popular perception, micellar water doesn’t always need to be banished from the two-step ritual of double cleansing. According to Mittal Gupta, it offers people a way to cleanse the skin without washing or scrubbing the face, which may be useful for dry skin. “Since it is a gentle alternative to harsh cleansers, it helps people with dry skin. It avoids stripping of natural oils, thereby preventing irritation.” There are some oil-infused micellar water options available in the market that pass as more preferable ones if you have dry, parched or sensitive skin. Along the same lines, Agarwal points out, “Micellar water can be incorporated as the first step of double cleansing, should you wish to use it. Otherwise, double cleansing [use a cleansing balm] works just as well. Using micellar water in addition could mean overdoing cleansing.” 

Contrary to popular perception, micellar water doesn’t always need to be banished from the two-step ritual of double cleansing. According to Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, it offers people a way to cleanse the skin without washing or scrubbing the face, which may be useful for dry skin. Image: Pexels

Contrary to popular perception, micellar water doesn’t always need to be banished from the two-step ritual of double cleansing. According to Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, it offers people a way to cleanse the skin without washing or scrubbing the face, which may be useful for dry skin. Image: Pexels

Should you purchase micellar water?

Whether you should be spending on micellar water depends on your skin type, how much and what kind of make-up you wear, and what your preferred way of taking it off is. In some cases, using cleansing balms would suffice, in fact, allowing you to endow your skin with an express massage to boost blood circulation. Plus, it takes care of sunscreen as well as make-up removal.

On the other hand, micellar water may be of assistance in the case of stubborn, waterproof make-up. Since you can use micellar water by dipping Q-tips and soaking cotton pads in it, it helps you reach corners that your fingers might not be able to reach. “Micellar water is portable and convenient to use during travel as well, as multiple products may be difficult to carry. It can be used as a cleanser, toner and make-up remover on a regular basis,” says Agarwal. “On the other hand, double cleansing can be opted for if someone is allergic to the ingredients of micellar water; allergy-prone, sensitive skin may find double cleansing more suitable as micellar water can cause irritation,” concludes the dermatologist.

If you’re considering investing in a cleansing balm, here’s a list of some of our most-loved picks. 

Also Read: What makes make-up waterproof?

Also Read: 8 cleansing balms to bank on to take off the most stubborn make-up

Also Read: 5 experts share eye make-up removal tips that actually work


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