If you’re wondering what the difference is between micellar water vs toner, you’ve come to the right place! We’re tackling everything you need to know about these skincare products.
Everyone’s skin is different and has unique challenges and needs, so it’s important to nail down a daily skincare routine that works for you, and micellar water and toner can be great products to include.
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Keep reading for a full breakdown of micellar water vs toner, what they are, their skincare benefits, and how to use them.
Plus, I’m sharing my top product picks so you can start incorporating micellar water and toner into your regimen ASAP!
Shop my micellar water and toner product picks below
Micellar Water vs Toner
What is Micellar Water?
Micellar water is a skincare product that originated in France and is used to remove heavy makeup and dirt from your face.
The name comes from the word “micelle,” which is a group of molecules—in this case, micellar water contains tiny droplets of oil that attract impurities on the skin’s surface.
Micellar water doesn’t just clean your skin, it can also help even skin complexion and prevent breakouts by keeping pores clean and free of bacteria.
The best part is all skin types can benefit from using micellar water since it’s gentle and soothing, even if you struggle with conditions like rosacea or eczema.
What is Toner?
Skincare toners are an essential step in the cleansing process to keep your skin clear and restore its natural pH balance.
Since many skincare products like serums and cleansers can disrupt the pH balance of your skin leaving it dry or textured, toner works to smooth everything out and keep your skin’s pH levels within a normal range.
There are all kinds of toners on the market that target specific skin concerns like redness, dullness, and breakouts.
If you’ve never tried incorporating a toner into your skincare routine, now is the perfect time to start.
Can I Use Micellar Water and Toner Together?
This depends on your specific skin and how it reacts to different micellar water and toner products.
Many people can use both micellar water and toner without experiencing any irritation, while others might see redness and feel a stinging or burning sensation.
The best rule of thumb is to start incorporating new skincare products slowly into your regimen to give your skin time to adjust.
You’ll want to use micellar water first since it cleanses and cleans the skin, which you can then follow with a toner to balance your pH levels and lock in moisture.
Once you’ve figured out how your skin reacts to micellar water and toner, you can adjust your routine as necessary to get perfect, glowy skin.
I’ve rounded up some of the best micellar water and toner products for you to try, so I hope you’re ready to level up your skincare game!
Best Micellar Water Products
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Makeup Remover
The first product I recommend is the Bioderma brand Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Makeup Remover.
Micellar water makes an excellent makeup remover and this formula is super effective at removing dirt and oil to leave your skin clear and smooth.
The Bioderma Micellar Water is light and refreshing so even those with sensitive skin can use this product and see amazing results.
As a bonus, the Sensibio Makeup Remover was formulated to maintain your skin’s ideal pH levels so it won’t drastically impact the health or texture of your skin.
La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra
The Micellar Water Ultra from La Roche-Posay is another great pick to instantly clean and refresh skin.
This La Roche-Posay Micellar Water targets even the smallest particles of dirt and makeup so you can easily cleanse with just a few gentle swipes of a cotton pad.
All skin types can benefit from using this Micellar Water Ultra and this product can be applied all over the face (including eyes and lips) since it’s so gentle.
Cerave Hydrating Micellar Water
Another fav product of mine is the Cerave Hydrating Micellar Water which removes oil and grime without the need to rinse.
This Hydrating Micellar Water contains ceramides and niacinamide that restore your skin’s natural barrier to protect it from damage and lock in moisture.
I’m super impressed that this product doesn’t just clean makeup away but also cleanses and hydrates skin, so you’re getting all kinds of benefits with every use.
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Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water
One of the best micellar waters on the market is the Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water.
The Milki Micellar Water is packed with ceramides that remove dirt and oil without irritating or drying out the skin.
This Drunk Elephant E-Rase Toner is fully vegan and contains tons of nourishing antioxidants that your skin is going to love.
Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water
My last micellar water product pick is the Sephora brand Triple Action Cleansing Water.
This micellar Cleansing Water is formulated with zinc and aloe vera to effectively but gently remove makeup and other skin impurities.
The Triple Action Cleansing Water soothes redness and irritation to leave you feeling completely rejuvenated—as a bonus, it’s also totally vegan!
Best Toner Products
SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner
Continuing with this micellar water vs toner guide, the first toner product I recommend is the SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner.
This Equalizing Toner uses hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and grime, restoring your skin’s pH levels to the ideal balance.
Anyone with dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin can use this SkinCeuticals face toner thanks to its soothing ingredients like witch hazel and aloe.
Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner
The Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner is an excellent choice if you struggle with enlarged pores and uneven skin complexion.
This toner’s lightweight formula is packed with ceramides and antioxidants that cleanse dirt, reduce excess oil, and moisturize your skin.
If you’re looking for a skincare product to target the appearance of pores and dry patches of skin, the Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner should be at the top of your list.
Some by Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
If you read my Some by Mi review you already know I’m a huge fan of the Korean beauty brand, and the AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner is one of its top products.
This skincare toner is literal magic thanks to its potent combination of alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy, and polyhydroxy acids that promote the production of healthy skin cells.
The 30 Days Miracle Toner also contains natural ingredients like papaya and witch hazel that soothe and nourish dry skin.
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Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
Glow Recipe has been taking the skincare world by storm and I’m obsessed with the Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner.
The Glow Recipe Pore-Tight Toner moisturizes and cleanses skin while tightening pores to make your skin look naturally flawless.
Watermelon and cactus water are key ingredients in this Glow Toner and provide intense, lasting hydration to keep skin healthy and bright.
This Pore-Tight Toner also contains PHAs and BHAs that penetrate the surface of your skin to strengthen and nourish from the inside out.
Tatcha The Texture Tonic
My last product pick to round out this micellar water vs toner guide is the Tatcha brand The Texture Tonic, a powerful exfoliant full of AHAs for max effectiveness.
The Tatcha Texture Tonic is a liquid exfoliator that gently improves skin tone and texture without causing dryness or irritation.
This Tatcha liquid toner also contains Japanese mugwort and wild rose that tighten pores and calm redness.
If you struggle with sensitive or oily skin, I highly recommend trying Tatcha’s Texture Tonic to improve the overall health and appearance of your skin.
There you have my micellar water vs toner guide with ten top product picks to level up your skincare routine.
Tag me on Insta (@wtfab) if you pick up any of these micellar water or toner products so I can see what you think!
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Need more skincare inspo? Check out my skincare guides, reviews, and recs here.
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Some by Mi Review: 5 Must-Try Products
6 Rovectin Essentials for Amazing Skin
FAQs
Micellar water is a gentle liquid cleanser that removes oil, dirt, and makeup from your skin.
Toner is an exfoliating skincare product that maintains your skin’s natural pH balance.
Yes, as long as you introduce them into your routine slowly and stop if you experience any irritation.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
