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Micellar Water vs. Toner: Which Has More Benefits?

5 min read

By Olivia DiPede

Medically Reviewed by Lily Adelzadeh, MD

If you’re someone interested in skincare, it’s likely that you have a toner or micellar water incorporated into your skincare routine. A common point of confusion, however, is what exactly the differences are between these two products and which benefits each product offers. While micellar water and toner may initially come across as seemingly interchangeable products, this is actually not the case!

Follow along as we break down the true differences between micellar water and toner including which one offers more benefits, so you can truly decide which option is better suited for your skincare routine!

Micellar Water vs. Traditional Toner: The Differences

To begin, it’s important to break down the differences between micellar water and toner and what their best uses are.

Micellar water is a multi-use cleansing product that consists of purified water and tiny oil droplets called micelles which act like magnets for makeup and debris. This product has recently boomed in popularity for its ability to act as a one-step solution to remove makeup and cleanse the skin without the need to add water. It’s efficient and gentle without being oily and leaves the skin feeling cleansed and hydrated.

A traditional toner, on the other hand, acts as more of a second step in the cleansing process and typically isn’t used as a makeup remover, but more of a treatment product. A toner is an astringent product that treats the skin by balancing pH levels and removes any excess debris or makeup in the process. A toner works to restore the skin’s natural acid and fight off bacteria while also helping to tighten pores, control oil, and clarify the skin.

Ultimately, micellar water acts as more of a straightforward cleansing product that removes makeup and the day’s debris, while a toner acts as more of a treatment product that helps to balance the skin and remove makeup in the process.

Pros/Cons Of Micellar Water vs. Toner

When it comes to deciding whether micellar water or toner is better suited for your routine, it’s important to look at the pros and cons of each and how it will benefit you. We broke down the benefits and downfalls to consider of each product to make this process even easier for you!

Micellar Water Pros:

Micellar Water Cons:

Pros/Cons Of Traditional Toner

Toner Pros:

Toner Cons:

The Verdict: Which Has More Benefits?

Overall, micellar water and toner both have their own sets of pros and cons. While micellar water is gentle, effective, and works as a great on-the-go cleansing option, it’s not the best when it comes to actually treating or balancing the skin. On the other hand, traditional toner can offer all the benefits of controlling oil and pore size, but can sometimes strip the skin of its natural oil, especially for those with dry skin.

Ultimately it really depends on exactly what your goal is in using the product to determine which one is better suited to your needs and skin type. If you’re looking for a lightly hydrating makeup remover and cleanser, we’d suggest going the micellar water route. If you’re looking for a product as a second step after cleansing to treat excess oil and remove stubborn makeup, then a more traditional toner might be a better choice.

Another way to decide is to look at your skin type. If you’re someone who struggles with dry skin, micellar water might be a better option since it’s more gentle and hydrating. If you struggle with oily skin, however, you might want to look at a more traditional toner to control your oil levels and balance the skin.

Our Top Picks

Whether you’re interested in micellar water or toner, or both, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite, best selling products in each category!

Top Micellar Waters

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/3kyCkkd

Photo Credit: Amazon

Bioderma Sensibio H2O

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/31Muex3

Photo Credit: Amazon

Top Traditional Toners

Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/2HFnF8H

Photo Credit: Amazon

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/3oENS8n

Photo Credit: Amazon

Activebeat.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Activebeat.com

MD, Board Certified Dermatologist

Dr. Lily Adelzadeh is a board-certified dermatologist. She received her medical degree from UCLA and completed her dermatology residency at Tulane University. Her areas of special interest include acne, skin cancer surveillance, excisions and cosmetic dermatology. She loves seeing patients of all ages and backgrounds. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and young son.

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