Sunday Edit
  • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Hair
    • Makeup
    • Nails
  • Wellness
    • Mental Health
    • Health
    • Holistic & Spiritual
    • Love
    • Sex
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Sustainability
    • Culture
    • Fashion
    • Travel
    • Gifts
  • Shop
  • About Us
A woman with voluminous curly hair.
Brian Dowling/Getty Images

Beauty » Hair » Hair Care

Micellar Water Fans, Prepare Yourself — And Your Hair

Authored by Drew Carlos
Drew Carlos
March 26, 2021

Today, you would be remiss not to find a bottle of micellar water on most vanities. The cleanser, which is made up of tiny micelles that seek out oil and gently break it down, has become so loved that in 2017 the global micellar water market reached a value of $112.3 million.

But that is old news.

Hair is taking center stage, and it is bringing micellar water with it. Between the constant dye or don’t dye/cut or don’t cut/bangs or no bangs hair debates, there is one thing that has to be done, no matter how much practice you have with dry shampoo. You have to cleanse your hair.

And in response, micellar water technology for haircare is trending up.

A bottle of micellar water cleansing serum.
DEVACURL Buildup Buster Micellar Water Cleansing Serum, $28Sephora

So, what’s the deal? According to internationally known hair and scalp expert Philip B., micellar water can restore balance into the hair, leading to extra shine, body and bounce. And for product lovers, micellar water will tackle scalp buildup, without stripping the skin, for better results than intense clarifying shampoos.

The scalp, Philip B. says, has large hair follicles and oil glands, which produce sebum, an oily substance that works to protect the scalp and keep hair moisturized. “All hair holds less than one percent oil (sebum) per strand naturally, a well-balanced strand of hair shines, has elasticity and bounce,” he says.

But, as hair makes contact with the elements (think dust, smoke, all that dry shampoo), it collects more and more buildup causing the hair to get heavy. And this, Philip B. says, is where micellar water comes in handy.

“Micellar water works to break down and remove the unwanted oil-based residues like nicotine, tar and unwanted food, or any unwanted scent embedded into the hair giving back clean, fresh, bouncy hair immediately,” he says.

Philip B. recommends using a micellar mist on wet hair before drying for a sleek and shiny result, after a blow out to tackle flyaways and throughout the day for “instant cleaning” because hair is porous and constantly collects particles. The best part is that all hair types can benefit, with micellar shampoos being a particularly good option for oily scalps or hair seeking more body.


We only recommend products we have independently researched, tested, and loved. If you purchase a product found through our links, Sunday Edit may earn an affiliate commission.

Beauty Hair Hair Care

Sundays should be special.

Sign up for the Sunday Edit newsletter to stay in-the-know on all things skincare and beyond.

Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Most Popular

  • Hair Brushing: Experts Share How Often You Should Brush Your Hair (And Why)

  • Oil-Based Cleanser vs Water-Based Cleanser: Which is Right for You?

  • Using a Derma Roller for Hair Loss: Expert Steps for The Best Results

Read More
overhead shot of beauty product swatches

A Love Letter to Vitamin C

By Liz Krieger
Woman wearing a towel applying moisturizer

4 Times Your Skin Needs Extra Barrier Support

By Deanna Pai
woman applying clay mask on face at home

How Long Does Skincare Last?

By Maggie Kim

Why I Chose Spironolactone Over Accutane For My Postpartum Acne

By Lindsay Tigar
by
  • Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • About Us
  • Our Contributors
  • Terms + Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Contact Us
Make Sundays special! Stay in the loop on all things skincare (and beyond) with our weekly newsletter.
© 2025 Sunday Edit

We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our site. By continuing to use our site, you accept the use of cookies. Learn more here

heart-envelope-email

No more Sunday scaries.

Make Sundays special again! Sign up for the Sunday Edit newsletter to stay in-the-know on topics that spark a conversation for everyone.
No Thank You!

Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy