Want to add toner to your skin care routine? What about micellar water? Find out the difference between micellar water vs toner, and which one you should (or shouldn't) use in your skin care routine!
Micellar water has been trending in recent years across the skin care community.
Whether you a newbie to the world of skin care, or simply have no idea what micellar water is, don't worry-- you're not alone!
Many people commonly confuse micellar water with toner and even accidentally use them interchangeably.
However, it’s important to understand that micellar water and toner are NOT the same.
So then, what exactly is micellar water? And, should you be using micellar water in your skin care routine?
In this article, you’ll learn more about the difference between micellar water vs toner, which one to use, and more!
Micellar Water vs Toner: What’s the Difference?
Micellar water and toner are two different skin care products.
Micellar water acts like a cleanser to remove excess dirt, oil, and light makeup from your skin prior to using your facial cleanser.
Meanwhile, a toner works to restore your skin’s pH levels.
Toners can also be specially designed to assist with certain skin issues from anti-aging, to hydrating your skin, to exfoliating your skin, and more.
Therefore, micellar water works more as a cleansing step whereas a toner acts as a means to balance your skin’s pH level.
Which One is Better: Micellar Water vs Toner?
Neither micellar water nor toner is “better” than the other.
This is because each product has entirely different uses.
In other words, micellar water and toner are not interchangeable products as they serve different roles in your skincare routine.
Not to mention, when you use micellar water vs toner during your skincare routine is different.
Since micellar water helps gently cleanse the face, using micellar water should be done BEFORE using your facial cleanser.
Meanwhile, since a toner helps restore your skin’s pH and assist with other skin concerns, toner is to be used AFTER cleansing your face.
Therefore, there is no comparison to be made of whether or not micellar water is better or worse than toner because they are different products with different uses.
If your skin tolerates each product, you can consider using both micellar water and toner as part of your skincare routine.
Should You Use Toner or Micellar Water First?
If you decide to use both toner and micellar water, you should use micellar water first.
This is because micellar water helps to again gently cleanse your skin while a toner is meant to be used after cleansing to restore your skin’s pH levels.
Always listen to your skin when it comes to adding certain skin care products like toner and micellar water to your routine.
This is because you might not necessarily need both products/ one or both products may not be well suited for your specific skin type.
Micellar water is great for dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin types.
Meanwhile, toners are best for oily and acne-prone skin types.
Therefore, although micellar water will always be used before using a toner, you may not need to use both products in your skincare routine depending on your specific skin type.
What is Toner?
A toner’s primary skin care role is to restore your skin’s natural pH balance.
While a toner can help remove excess dirt, grim, and makeup from your skin leftover from cleansing, this is not the sole purpose of using a toner.
In the past, toners have gotten a bad wrap for stripping, drying, and irritating the skin.
Yet today, while using a toner is more so recommended for oily skin types, there are toners for virtually any skin type.
Always keep in mind that toners can be extremely drying on the skin, especially for dry skin types.
If you have oily skin, try to use your toner every other day. For dry skin types, try to limit your toner use to once or twice a week (if your skin can tolerate it!).
Additionally, some toners are specially designed to assist with certain skin concerns.
For instance, there are hydrating toners, anti-aging toners, exfoliating toners, and more!
While toners are by no means an absolute skincare essential, if you do have a specific skin care concern, a toner can certainly improve your complexion.
How to Use Toner
A toner is made with water, antioxidants, and other ingredients used to restore your skin’s pH to be able to absorb other products like serums and moisturizers later on in your routine more effectively.
After cleansing your face, you can soak a cotton round with toner and swipe it across your face and neck.
While using a toner isn’t necessary, and shouldn’t be used if it irritates your skin, if you do decide to use a toner, be sure to follow these 3 tips to use toner correctly:
- Get the right toner according to your skin type.
- Use a toner after cleansing.
- Use a toner before applying serums and/or moisturizing.
Benefits of Toner
While toner isn’t necessarily a skincare essential, there are many advantages to using toner (given you are using the correct toner for your unique skin type and skin care concerns).
Some top benefits of using a toner include:
1. Restores your skin’s natural pH balance
Cleansing your face causes your skin’s natural pH levels to become imbalanced due to the cleanser making your skin more alkaline. To counteract this imbalance, your skin will try and produce more oils, which can lead to unwanted breakouts. Therefore, a toner helps bring balance back to your skin’s pH.
2. Great for oily skin types
While micellar water can be great for cleansing the skin, it sometimes has oil in it which can make your skin oiler and increase your risk of developing breakouts. However, toners typically work well with oily skin types.
3. Specific toners can help certain skin care issues
Whether you are looking for a hydrating toner to nourish your dry skin or an anti-aging toner, there are all sorts of toners for specific skin care concerns.
Drawbacks of Toner
While toners can be great, they do have their disadvantages. This is especially true if your use a toner too frequently, or use the wrong toner for your specific skin type.
Here are some drawbacks of using a toner:
1. Potentially Irritating on the Skin
While toners have gotten much better in recent years, some toners still run the risk of drying and irritating your skin due to certain drying ingredients (i.e. alcohol).
Therefore, especially if you have dry skin, look for an alcohol-free toner so you don’t irritate your skin.
Additionally, you SHOULD NOT use toner every day because it can be again extremely drying on the skin.
If you have oily skin, consider using the toner a few times per week. For dry skin types, stick with it once or twice per week.
2. Aren’t Used Correctly/ Should Not Be Used to Cleanse the Skin
While this isn’t necessarily a con, it’s important to understand that toner is meant for cleansing the skin.
Yes, toners can help remove excess dirt and makeup left over after cleansing.
However, toners aren’t made to solely remove all the dirt, grim, and makeup on your face.
What is Micellar Water?
Unlike toner which has been around the block for some time, micellar water is a “trendy” skin care product that has been rising in popularity.
But, you may be wondering, what exactly is micellar water, anyways?
Is micellar water a toner or a cleanser?
The answer is micellar water is a water-based cleanser that works to remove excess dirt, grim, and makeup on the face.
Therefore, micellar water is NOT another name for a toner.
Rather micellar water is a sort of cleansing product you can use BEFORE using your actual facial cleanser.
Additionally, you don’t necessarily have to be removing makeup to use micellar water.
Your skin accumulates a lot of dirt and grim throughout the day.
Therefore, micellar water can simply be used as a gentle way to remove these impurities from your skin.
How to Use Micellar Water
Because micellar water is used to remove excess impurities from the skin, it’s important to use micellar water BEFORE using your facial cleanser.
How you use micellar water is similar to how you use toner.
Here are some simple steps of how to use micellar water:
- Apply micellar water to a cotton round.
- Swipe the cotton round lightly across your face and neck to remove excess makeup, dirt, and grim.
- Continue with your skincare routine by cleansing your face with a gentle facial cleanser.
Benefits of Micellar Water
Micellar water is a gentle, lightweight skin care product that can not only help cleanse the skin but oftentimes contains other ingredients to enhance your complexion.
The top benefits of using micellar water include:
1. Gentle & Great on Sensitive Skin
Unlike toners which are notorious for drying out the skin, because micellar water contains both water and oil, it is oftentimes more gentle on the skin.
Thus, it is great for all skin types, especially sensitive skin which can easily become irritated when using a toner.
2. Cleanse the Face of Impurities & Convenience
The primary role of micellar water is to remove excess dirt, grim, and light makeup from the face. While micellar water at home can be a great first step prior to using your facial cleanser, micellar water can also be convenient while on the go.
This is because whether you are camping or at a location where washing your face isn’t possible, you can simply dab some micellar water on a cotton round to effectively cleanse your face.
3. Other Positive Ingredients to Enhance Your Skin
Some micellar water formulas contain positive ingredients like glycerin which can help nourish and hydrate the skin.
Drawbacks of Micellar Water
While micellar water can be a great way to cleanse the skin, there are some disadvantages to using micellar water, which include:
1. Micellar Water Doesn’t Replace Makeup Remover
Micellar water can help remove light makeup; however, micellar water should NOT replace the use of makeup remover.
If you need to remove heavy face and/or eye makeup, it is important to use makeup-remover-dedicated products prior to using micellar water.
2. Micellar Water Isn’t the Best for Oily Skin Types
Micellar water contains oil which can increase your risk of developing breakouts, especially for people who have a more oily skin type/ have acne-prone skin.
When to Use Micellar Water in Skin Care Routine
Micellar water helps remove dirt, grim, and light makeup from your face.
However, since micellar water helps to cleanse your face, this may bring up some confusion on when to use micellar water in skin care routine?
Especially when it comes to using micellar water before or after using your facial cleanser.
The answer is: You should always use micellar water BEFORE using your facial cleanser.
Is Micellar Water a Toner or Cleanser?
Technically, micellar water is a cleanser that helps remove impurities from your skin.
However, you shouldn’t actively look to replace your daily facial cleanser with micellar water.
Yet, you can use micellar water before using your facial cleanser to enhance your cleansing process.
Micellar water also is NOT a toner.
But, it can serve a similar purpose to a hydrating toner in the sense of nourishing and gently cleaning the skin.
That being said, micellar water and toner are NOT the same and cannot be used interchangeably as they serve different purposes.
Can Micellar Water be Used as a Toner?
No. Micellar water cannot be used as a toner.
This is because micellar water is meant to be used prior to using a facial cleanser.
Because micellar water contains oil, leaving excess micellar water/ oil on the face without thoroughly washing it off afterward can result in breakouts.
Similarly, a toner helps to restore your skin’s natural pH balance, while micellar water works to cleanse the skin (NOT restore your skin’s pH).
Micellar Water vs Toner For Acne
Both micellar water and toners each have their pros and cons when it comes to effectively treating acne.
While micellar water does work to remove excess impurities on the skin which can lead to breakouts, oil is one of the primary ingredients in micellar water.
This, for oily skin types, can lead to applying more oil on the face than necessary and increase your chances of developing breakouts as a result of using micellar water.
Meanwhile, there are certain toners available to help various skincare concerns like acne.
However, if you use the wrong toner for your skin type, or use toner too frequently, this can cause skin dryness which can make your skin naturally produce more oils which can result in breakouts.
At the end of the day, both micellar water and toner can be used to help fight acne as long as they are used correctly.
This means using micellar water before using your facial cleanser, using your toner after cleansing your face, and using the right toner and frequency for your unique skin type.
Best Toner Products
While toners aren’t an absolute necessity, they can help restore your skin’s pH and improve various skin care concerns.
Need help deciding which toner to get?
Here are some top picks for toner products to consider.
With thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon and rising, the Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic is a gentle exfoliating toner. This toner is great for all skin types, and is alcohol-free and paraben-free so you won't have to worry about skin irritation!
Priced at just $10, this toner by The Ordinary is a great inexpensive toner option if you're looking for a quality product without breaking the bank.
If you have more of a dry skin type, consider this toner by Paula's Choice. Not only can it help tone and restore your skin, but it contains anti-aging ingredients to brighten and revitalize your skin.
Best Micellar Water Products
Like toners, micellar water isn’t an absolute must-have. However, it can certainly help elevate your skin care routine.
Looking for some micellar water product recommendations?
Consider the following:
This all-in-one cleansing micellar water is great for normal to sensitive skin types to effectively cleanse and replenish your skin.
At just $5, you can't get much better than this Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water on Amazon.
If you have more oily skin, consider this micellar water from Garnier to gently cleanse your skin. Great for all skin types-- including sensitive skin types!
Final Thoughts: Micellar Water vs Toner- Which One Should You Use?
Both micellar water and toner can be great products to elevate your skin care routine.
That being said, neither micellar water vs toner is better or worse than the other because they cannot be compared.
This is because they each serve different purposes.
Micellar water works to cleanse your skin and should be done prior to using your facial cleanser.
Meanwhile, a toner works to restore your skin's pH levels, and should be used after cleansing your skin.
While neither product is necessary, both can enhance your skin care routine if used properly.
It's important to use the right product for your specific skin type.
While micellar water is typically better for sensitive and acne-prone skin types, and toner is better for oily skin types, this doesn't mean if you have oily skin you can't use micellar water (or vice versa).
Always listen to your skin and see how it reacts to adding micellar water and/or toner to your skin care routine.
If you notice any negative effects like skin irritation or more breakouts than usual, consider stopping the product and see how your skin reacts.
Plus, ensure you have the right product for your particular skin type!
FAQs
What’s the difference between micellar water vs rose water?
Micellar water is a cleansing product used to remove impurities on the skin.
However, rose water's primary objective isn't to cleanse the skin, but rather improve your complexion, reduce skin redness, hydrate the skin, etc.
What’s the difference between micellar water vs cleansing oil?
While both work to cleanse the skin, micellar water is a water-based cleanser whereas a cleansing oil is an oil-based cleanser.
Your skin type may determine which product is better suited for you.
If you have an oily skin type, micellar water or any other type of water-based cleanser may be more suited for your skin compared to using an oil-based cleanser.
Is micellar and toner the same?
No, micellar water and toner are NOT the same.
Micellar water works to cleanse the skin while a toner works to restore your skin's natural pH levels.
Do dermatologists recommend micellar water?
Yes! Dermatologists recommend micellar water for all skin types, especially individuals with dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin.
This is because micellar water is a very gentle water-based cleanser which can help remove impurities without causing unwanted skin irritation to sensitive skin types.
Do I need to wash my face after using micellar water?
Yes, it is recommended you wash your face after using micellar water.
Because oil is prominent in micellar water, if you don't wash your face after using the product, this can increase your risk of developing breakouts as a result of leftover oil residue on the skin.
What do you put on your face after micellar water?
After micellar water, you should use a gentle facial cleanser to thoroughly cleanse the skin of any impurities.
Then, you can choose to apply toner after cleansing, or go straight into moisturizing your skin.
