Some people swear by toner, and others think it’s a waste of time, but I’m here to tell you that if you give this optional skincare step a try you might just switch teams. My personal toner history dates back to Sea Breeze (whose doesn’t?), and I recently brought it back, even after double-cleansing. After enjoying (and finishing) Simy Skin’s Micro Exfoliating Toner, I decided it was time to join the micellar water party—and there’s definitely truth to the saying, “Better late than never.”
Whereas toners are designed to refine the complexion in some way or another, micellar waters are actually part of the cleanser family—but if you’ve even seen dirt or makeup residue on your cotton ball or pad after using toner, you can see why micellar water would be a good alternative. Originating in France, these cleansers contain “micelles” that basically act like dirt magnets, and because they don’t require rinsing they’re great for sensitive skin.
These days, you don’t have to travel farther than your local supermarket or drugstore to find a micellar water cleanser—and my top budget-friendly picks are from Simple Skincare (and they have micellar wipes, too!), La Roche-Posay and Vichy.
Have you taken part in the micellar water deluge yet?
