Wild morning pretties! Today, we’re making homemade micellar water, a completely natural and vegan cleanser, moisturizer, and a toner.
I have a few favorites when it comes to skin cleansing, and my DIY micellar water is definitely one of them. This recipe is very very easy to make, yet non-toxic, no alcohol, and I promise that it smells divine and it does the trick! Let’s get to it!
What is micellar water?
Plain and simple, micellar water is water that contains tiny oil molecules. These are attracted to impurities, dirt, and sebum on our skin. That’s what makes the micellar water an excellent cleansing product. It leaves the skin moisturized and soft without drying it.
It’s a product that’s very handy for travel since it’s somehow an all-in-one package:
a cleanser, a toner, and a moisturizer
It can work as a natural makeup remover, and it doesn’t irritate skin, which is why it’s perfect for sensitive skin. Even those dealing with acne can benefit from it. It’s been around for more than a 100 years, supposedly invented by the French, but everyone seemed to forget about it until the recent years when it was revived into a boom.
I found it to be that ideal product I’ve been searching for. Either feeling lazy or on a tight on schedule, this DIY cleansing water saves the day.
What are the ingredients in micellar water?
When you look at the commercial micellar cleansing water, the idea of having a cleanser isn’t as tempting anymore. It contains a lot of nasties, such as alcohol, chemicals, fillers, and a lot of other ingredients we wish to avoid.
Which is why I decided on a DIY micellar water!
Not only is the homemade micellar cleansing water completely natural and toxin-free. There are more advantages than just the question of safety and toxicity (even though this is still the main one)!
A DIY cleanser is also very flexible and cost-effective. You don’t need many ingredients for this recipe and you can make quite a large batch with the ingredients required.
In short, the basic micellar water recipe is:
- Water (maintains the pH of the skin balanced)
- Astringent (tightens pores and cleanses the skin without stripping it of natural oils)
- Humectant (moisturizes the skin, giving it a healthy and smooth appearance)
- Carrier oil (for an extra kick of moisture and nourishment)
Another benefit is flexibility. Making homemade natural micellar water yourself, you can choose the ingredients based on your skin type:
- Carrier oils (for dry, sensitive, oily, normal skin)
- Essential oils (to soothe, to cure, to relax, to tone…)
- Hydrosols (see the full list at the bottom)
How to make micellar water?
I’ve been on the lookout for a cleanser. Normally I’d clean my makeup with either coconut oil, any cheap facial cleansers or a konjac sponge (which I love too much!).
But, I needed something I could actually bring with me whenever I go, so I decided it’s high time to make my homemade micellar water again.
I’ll show you how to make your own micellar water (you’ll see how simple micellar cleansing water ingredients really are). For those of you who believe your skin is already oily, use a non-comedogenic oil (the kind of oil that doesn’t clog pores, see the list on the best non-comedogenic oils). In my recipe, I use argan oil, which is already non-comedogenic.
Some other non-comedogenic oils include:
- Hemp seed oil (I wrote about hemp seed oil skin benefits)
- Safflower oil
- Rosehip seed oil (see rosehip oils for acne scars here)
At first, I was convinced that the water might feel slightly greasy due to the carrier oil, but it feels quite normal, it cleanses my skin well and it leaves it soft. In this homemade cleansing water recipe, I included the following ingredients:
Rosewater
Rosewater is a beautiful ingredient I cannot get tired of using. With its refreshing, hydrating, toning, and soothing abilities, it’s one of those natural and organic ingredients which are a must. For anyone, basically (exaggerating, I know, but who can resist it!).
Rosewater helps to maintain the pH of your skin, which is also one of the reasons it’s in my DIY cleansing water recipe. At the same time, rosewater is beneficial in fighting acne. Not only does it help to remove the excess oils from the skin but it also soothes the irritated skin with its anti-inflammatory properties. Rosewater has anti-aging properties and it’s very convenient for sensitive skin.
Read more on rosewater skin and hair benefits
You can substitute it with distilled water if you prefer, but I love rosewater for its toning and hydrating properties.
Witch hazel
A natural astringent, witch hazel is a natural remedy for skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It is a natural toner that cleanses the skin and helps to firm the skin’s elasticity.
With its antioxidant properties, witch hazel it helps to fight the free radicals, minimize cell damage, fight any signs of aging such as wrinkles and discoloration. Other benefits of witch hazel come also from its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It shrinks pores, soothes itchy skin, and reduces puffiness.
Argan oil
This liquid gold is well-known for its amazing skin benefits. Its comedogenic rate is 0, which makes it a great oil for acne because it doesn’t clog pores! Moreover, argan oil also moisturizes dry skin, making it smooth, healthy, and soft.
Rich in vitamin E, argan oil also has anti-aging properties. With its antioxidants it fights the free radicals, slowing down the signs of aging and maintaining the skin healthy. Apart from acne, argan oil is a natural aid in other skin conditions as well; it is able to soothe redness and inflammation.
Geranium essential oil
With a feminine scent that’s all about balance, the geranium essential oil has antiseptic, antibacterial properties that are a natural aid in the eternal fight with acne. With a pleasant aroma, geranium oil also nourishes the cells, fights infections, and keeps the skin moisturized at the same time.
Geranium oil is able to heal inflammations, soothes irritated skin when it comes to rashes, eczema, and rosacea. It tightens pores and it can be used as a toner as well. With its antioxidant properties, it also helps to slow down the aging process: it boosts regeneration and it firms the skin with its astringent properties.
Vegetable glycerin
A popular ingredient in many skincare products, vegetable glycerin is derived from plant sources, a natural compound that is non-toxic and water-soluble.
Vegetable glycerin rarely has any side effects. Used on its own, it can draw water from the skin (it’s a humectant) but not when it’s diluted.
Apart from that, it is non-comedogenic, a great addition to any vegan DIY cosmetics. It is an emulsifier with soothing and moisturizing properties that have positive and beneficial effects on the skin. It helps to regulate oil production od the skin, it can be used as a toner, cleanser, and a humectant.
Natural Homemade Micellar Water
Ingredients:
- 50g | 50% distilled water
- 21g | 20% rose hydrosol
- 20g | 20% witch hazel with aloe vera
- 5g | 5% vegetable glycerin
- 3g | 3% argan oil
- 0.6g | 0.6% cosgard
- 0.4g | 0.4% drops geranium essential oil
Instructions:
- Measure all the ingredients
- Add them to a 100 ml bottle
- Apply a little bit on a cotton pad and swipe your face with it.
Notes:
1. You can substitute rosewater with another herbal hydrosol (see below).
2. Feel free to omit the essential oil or substitute it with another of your choice.
3. Use this once or twice a day.
Since this is a water-based recipe, it requires a preservative. I normally work with Cosgard, but you can use any other you know that works for you.
If you’re looking for a more simple DIY micellar water recipe, you can omit several ingredients: essential oil, rose hydrosol or witch hazel, and argan oil. You’d be left with distilled water, preservative, glycerin.
Common questions and tips on DIY micellar water
Before you leave, have a look at some common and regular questions on micellar cleansing water!
Micellar water variations
I used rose hydrosol in this recipe just because I love it. I love how it feels on my skin and the scent is divine! In case you don’t have it on hand, feel free to substitute it with another hydrosol:
- Chamomile (great for sensitive skin, anti-inflammatory, and very gentle hydrosol)
- Helichrysum(great for its anti-aging properties. It tightens the skin and boosts the healing process)
- Cucumber (cooling and fresh, this hydrosol is an excellent astringent with anti-inflammatory properties)
- Lavender (suitable for all skin types, this hydrosol is gentle and excellent to soothe irritations, allergies, and has great cleansing properties)
- Rosemary (boosts blood circulation, great for skin conditions, and can soothe damaged skin)
- Tea tree (great for acne-prone skin, it helps to reduce irritation, redness, and shrink pores)
- Peppermint (cooling, refreshing, and uplifting, this hydrosol is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and great for oily skin)
Whenever purchasing a hydrosol, make sure it’s of the highest quality, 100% pure and certified organic. My favorite hydrosols come from the Plant Therapy (I also love their essential oils).
Is micellar water good for acne?
Some claim that micellar water is excellent for acne, while others say that you can somewhat benefit from micellar water, but it doesn’t specifically target your skin conditions.
When suffering from acne, breakouts, and pimples, the proper skincare routine is important. Very important. In my humble opinion, I can’t see why you couldn’t benefit from a proper micellar water recipe when you want to target the nasty acne.
By cleansing your skin regularly, you prevent clogged pores, remove dirt, and excess oils. Remember micelles? They tend to do that for you!
Plus, this cleanser will leave your skin hydrated (and not stripped of water and your skin’s natural oils).
Plus, you don’t need to rinse your skin additionally after and before you’ve used this cleansing water.
Plus, micellar water has the proper pH that helps to preserve the healthy skin barrier function.
Anyway, when making your homemade micellar water for acne, substitute rose hydrosol for either rosemary, tea tree, or peppermint. Geranium essential oil already is acne approved, and make sure not to substitute the carrier oil for any comedogenic oils. Argan oil works great!
Is micellar water good for dry skin?
Because it’s gentle and hydrating, cleansing water is good for dry skin. I’m not sure how your dry skin handles alcohol content in skincare products, but many homemade recipes are free of alcohol. It’s excellent that you can also choose witch hazel completely alcohol-free and make products that are suited specifically for your skin type (chamomile hydrosol is great for sensitive skin)!
Anyway, dry skin, go ahead and use your homemade natural micellar water!
Can micellar water be used as a toner?
Yes and no. It all depends on who you ask. Commercial micellar waters (the less natural ones) are meant to cleanse. They contain ingredients that don’t have toning properties (I think). I read on the website of Garnier, where they specifically state their micellar water is not meant to be used as a toner.
What about a DIY micellar water? Well, I always use my micellar water as a toner as well. But sometimes I don’t, and I make a toner instead (I mean, use one of the hydrosols as a toner). My skin loves it and I haven’t had a problem yet!
How do you use micellar water?
Apply your DIY micellar water regularly to your face in only a few simple steps:
- Soak a cotton ball with micellar water
- Apply on your face in small circles
- After you finish the first round, take another cotton ball and repeat the process until the ball comes off clean
- Once done, wait for the skin to dry completely and continue with your skin care routine
Alternately, you can also spray it directly to your face and wipe it with a cotton pad. Repeat the procedure until the pad is completely clean. If this is your preferred method, mind your eyes. And mouth as well; this homemade micellar water might have a gorgeous fragrance, but the taste…not so much!
You can use this micellar water:
- As a toner
- As a gentle makeup remover
- As a cleanser
- As a facial mist
What do you think about this DIY micellar water? I absolutely adore it…what about you? Let me know in the comments below!
Stay Wild!
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Thank you Kat, for creating and sharing this concise micellar water DIY! Would it be advisable to switch out aloe vera juice for the distilled water? Respectfully,
Hey Kristine,
Thank you for stopping by! Honestly, I wouldn’t switch aloe juice for the distilled water. It’s only a juice (I mean, it’s a “fresh” ingredient) and it goes rancid quite quickly. Unless it already contains a preservative; if it does, feel free to add it to the recipe. Hope this helps!
Can I remove the Witch Hazel?
Hello Cynthia, yes you can. Substitute it with more rosewater or distilled water! Happy DIYing 🙂
I’m impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog thats both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.
Love this simple recipe and look forward to giving it a go. How long will it keep without all the mass-produced stabilisers and preservatives in it? I notice that your recipe is for a really small quantity, is that why?
I’m just thinking I have previously bought 200ml bottles of the Garnier Micellar water which is my preferred brand and doesn’t sting my skin/eyes, but I think it would drive me mad to keep making up 50ml at a time…
Hey Rowena, I don’t recommend making this recipe without a preservative. Without it, it may last about a day in the fridge or not even that. You only need a small amount and the preservative I recommend is also Ecocert approved (you can read more about how/why to use preservatives here). Now, about the small amount…well, you can easily double the recipe if you prefer. You can make as much as you want; I normally stick to small amounts because I prefer to make less and test ingredients, but don’t let that stand in the way :). I’ve changed the amounts of grams to percentages so you can get a better idea at how this would work no matter the quantity you make. Hope this helps! Happy crafting!
Thank you for this recipe. Could you comment on surfactants, for instance decyl glucoside? Do I need that in order to remove makeup? Do you suggest removing makeup first, before using micellar water?
Hi Jaime, I don’t have any experience with decyl glucoside, but I’ve used coco glucosyde in other recipes. Normally, if I wear a lot of makeup, I cleanse it first and then follow with micellar water. But I usually don’t use a lot of makeup so micellar water does the trick. It depends on the makeup levels; it can remove a bit of it (some mascara), but it won’t be effective removing all makeup levels (from mascara to powder, primer, eye shadow…).Surfactants are more effective when it comes to removing makeup, but not all. Again, coco glucoside was fine with a bit of makeup, but it didn’t remove all of it when it came to larger amounts. You can also remove makeup with oils if that’s something you’d like to try (I find it to be the easiest) and then continue with micellar water. Hope this helps!
How long does a bottle of this usually last? Thanks you
With a preservative it should last long enough for you to use it (I fo throigh one bottle quite quickly). But, I do recommend using it within a month or two from when you first made it. Hope this helps!
I am very excited about making this micellaire water. I can’t find Cosgard. The link states the product is unavailable. Could you please recommend another source or a different preservative? (Could only find Cosgard outside of the US, with high shipping costs and/or minimum purchase requirements. ) Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Hello Debbie, thank you so much :). Now, I’ve done some digging around; Cosgard has a few other names (Benzylalcohol-DHA and Geogard 221) and you can get it from Amazon by Making Cosmetics. They also sell it on their website. Optionally, you could also try using Liquid Germall Plus (you can get it on Amazon, LotionCrafter, it’s a popular preservative to use. If using Germall Plus, the recommeded usage rate is 0.1–0.5%. Hope this helps!
Thank you! I now have all other ingredients, and will check Amazon. Much appreciated.
Let me know how the recipe works! Happy cooking 😀
In error, I ordered Geogard ECT, so I also ordered Benzylalcohol-DHA to be sure I had the right product. Would I be able to use the Geogard ECT as well, or is it just the wrong item? (Apologies for so many questions as I am very new to this.) Thank you!
Hey Debbie, you’ll be able to use geogard ECT so it won’t go to waste. I haven’t worked with it yet, so I can’t tell you how it works in formulations though so you’ll have to go at it alone :). Here’s what I do know about it: you shouldn’t use it in any products for kids under 3 years (because it contains salicylic acid). It works best under pH 5.5, and the usage rate is 0.6-1% in recipes. It has a minor almond-like scent and you add it to the cool-down phase of recipes (in this case it doesn’t matter as this recipe doesn’t require any heating up). It’s water-soluble but some people reported difficulties of dissolving. Apart from that, it’s a broad spectrum preservative and it should keep your products safe just as Benzyl-DHA. Good luck and let me know how Geogard ECT works for you, I’d love to know! Hope this helps!
Thank you once again. I finally have all the ingredients. Hoping to make it in the next two days!
Great, let me know how it goes! Happy crafting 🙂
Made it and I love it! My skin is so soft and clean. I know my measurements weren’t exact, but they were close enough.. Thank you for the ‘recipe’ and for helping with so many questions. No more store bought micellar water for me!
That is great news :D, I’m thrilled you like the recipe. Thanks for the feedback!
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Do you think Leucidal liquid work as a preservative?
Hi, it should work, but you’ll have to adjust the percentages slightly (depending on how much you have to use). I don’t have any experience with it though, yet there are people who seem to love it and others that say it’s not the best preservative. Feel free to give it a try and report how it worked for you! Hope this helps, Kat
Hello, could I get this recipe with the amounts in cups, tsp, Tbsp? I’m lost with grams & have nothing with which to measure that. Thank you!
Hey Tess, using TSP, TBSP, and cups isn’t reliable for DIY skincare. If you want to make safe recipes with the same consistency and results, you’ll need to invest in a 0.01g scale; you can easily get them online – I have one of those. Hope this helps!