First of all, the micellar lotion is not the same as a toner – these are two different cosmetics. You might think they are interchangeable, but they aren’t, really. Find out the difference and when to use them for your face care.
Micellar lotion and toner – is it the same cosmetic? What is the difference?
Micellar lotion and toner are two completely different cosmetics. They have less in common than you would think. Among other things they differ in their active ingredients, function in the skincare and effect on the skin.
The micellar lotion is mainly used for make-up removal and deep cleansing, while toner is used to restore the correct pH of the skin.
And although both should be included in your daily skincare routine, sometimes they are used interchangeably, which of course is a mistake many of us are not aware of.
Micellar lotion – how does it work and how to use it properly?
After a long day of make-up, you can finally relax with a little evening home spa. During this beauty ritual, you reach for your favourite micellar lotion to quickly and gently cleanse your face. And rightly so. A micellar lotion will rid your skin of makeup, impurities and sebum. That’s its main job. But it has a few other advantages, too.
The most important element of a micellar solution is the so-called micelles, molecules with a dual structure and absorbing properties. They entice dirt and grease, absorb them and dissolve them (especially make-up and dust). They work this way because their outer shell is hydrophilic (attracts water, repels grease) and their inner shell is hydrophobic (attracts grease, repels water). Micelles are surface-active compounds. Although they are more delicate than other detergents used in cosmetics, they can similarly disturb the bacterial flora of the skin and its hydro-lipid coat.
Since lotion can disturb the acid-alkaline balance of the epidermis and partially deprive it of its natural protective barrier, it is necessary to rinse the face thoroughly with water and apply tonic. In this way, micelles with absorbed impurities are washed off the skin’s surface and its balance is restored. Frequently forgetting about these care steps may end up with unpleasant consequences – clogged pores or pimples. In addition, upset hydro-lipid and acid-base balances can result in:
- severe dryness of the epidermis,
- irritation,
- itching,
- overproduction of sebum,
- loss of elasticity and skin tone,
- faster appearance of wrinkles.
Properties of a facial toner
The most important, and the most valuable property of the toner is its ability to restore the correct reaction of the skin, i.e. around pH=4.8-5.5, which allows the epidermis to regenerate properly on a daily basis and maintain the optimal level of hydration and protection against the external environment.
The tonic therefore gently supports the skin’s natural hydro-lipid coat, which is often less or significantly damaged during cleansing care.
A toned epidermis is healthy and ready to fight external factors such as dry air, frost, wind, sunlight, pollution and pathogenic bacteria.
In addition to the properties that restore the water-lipid and acid-base balance of the face, the tonic also supports the microbiome and takes care of the hydration of the skin tissue. Although this cosmetic is mainly water-based, it is one of the most important preparations in the whole facial care. It contains substances that ensure thorough nourishment and hydration of the epidermis and stimulate its regeneration. Tonic also improves transport and absorption by the skin of active ingredients from subsequent cosmetics – serums, masks or creams
What ingredients to look for in a facial toner and which to avoid?
Often, good facial toners contain active ingredients with a deeply hydrating and nourishing effect.
These include:
hyaluronic acid;
Plant extracts
plant oils,
probiotics,
panthenol and/or allantoin,
hydrolats,
glycolic acid,
Sodium Hydroxide and/or Potassium Phosphate (ensure correct pH of the skin).
Wiping the face with a cotton pad soaked in tonic after each cleansing with micellar lotion will produce visible results. Not only do we get rid of impurities, make-up, dust and pollen, but also, in the long run, unpleasant consequences such as pimples and clogged pores.
When it comes to tonic ingredients that should set off a red light in our heads, we should pay particular attention to alcohol. Until a few years ago, it could be found in almost every cleansing and toning cosmetic. It was falsely believed that the drying properties of ethyl or denatured alcohol would get rid of unwanted eczema and calm them down. This ingredient has quite the opposite effect. It may even contribute to the appearance of pimples, blackheads and painful blemishes. Alcohol, because it is drying, stimulates the sebaceous glands in the skin to overproduction of sebum – this is the tissue’s defence against unfavourable external conditions. As a result, pores become clogged and the face becomes increasingly shiny.
What ingredients to look for in a micellar lotion and what ingredients to avoid?
Micellar lotion is a cleansing cosmetic, so a large part of its composition is taken up by detergents – milder or stronger, i.e. micelles and traditional surfactants.
We recommend avoiding aggressive and irritating surfactants such as SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) for skin prone to irritation.
Of course, you should not be afraid of these ingredients, because often, when they are included in the formula of a given cosmetic, they are accompanied by a mass of valuable components with soothing, caring, moisturising and nourishing properties. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that these highly purifying substances may significantly interfere with the hydro-lipid coat of the epidermis, damage it and visibly dry out the skin.
Fortunately, the vast number of micellar lotions on our market is full of valuable active ingredients. If you are looking for a cosmetic that will not only thoroughly cleanse your skin of make-up and impurities, make sure that its formula contains at least one of the following substances:
- panthenol (you will find it in our micellar lotion)
- aloe vera,
- allantoin,
- glycerine,
- niacinamide
So remember: first cleanse your face with a micellar lotion, then wash your skin with a gel and finally, tone it. This is a recipe for clean and healthy skin without unpleasant consequences.
