The Best Times of Day to Use Micellar Water

France has introduced us to a plentitude of great things, from berets to croissants. We’re thankful for them all but even more so for micellar water. We’re such fans of this French-favorite cleanser so much that we’re looking for more times we can squeeze it into our daily skin care routine. Micellar water is powered with tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup residue up and away from the skin. There’s no rinsing required, meaning you don’t have to be near a sink to use it—making it ideal for all different times of day. If you’re feeling the micellar water love, too and are on the search for more opportunities to use it, we have you covered. Here are our three micellar water options for you to try, along with the six best times of day to cleanse with micellar water.

Find Your Micellar Water Match

Before getting started, it’s important to find the right micellar water for your skin type. L’Oréal Paris offers three different micellar waters. Each one helps remove makeup and clean dirt and impurities from your face, eyes, and lips. Plus, they’re free of oil, soaps and alcohol. The L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin hydrates and soothes, the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin purifies and mattifies, and the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types intensely purifies.

Use Micellar Water…When You Wake Up

What better way is there to begin your day than with a fresh face? Before tackling the rest of your beauty routine, use micellar water to cleanse your skin and start fresh. Conveniently, not only will your skin be clean, but it will also be prepped for the rest of your skin care products. Remember, you always want to smooth moisturizers and serums onto a clean canvas—otherwise, you could be trapping impurities on skin’s surface.

Use Micellar Water…Post-Workout

After working out, you’ve likely (hopefully!) worked up a serious sweat. But you won’t quite be ready to head out of the gym and back into the real world until you’ve swept away all that sweat. When you can’t manage to find time for a head to toe shower, just saturate a cotton pad with micellar water and swipe it over your skin.

Use Micellar Water…Aprés-Sun

Similar to what happens when you workout, after spending time under the sun, you’re sure to be a little sweaty. When you’re ready to head back indoors, use micellar water to wipe off sweat. Pack it in your beach bag for an uber-easy clean up—micellar waters are ideal for on-the-go since there’s no rinsing involved.

Use Micellar Water…After Swimming

Whether you choose to take a dip in a pool, lake, or ocean, you’ll want to get clean after. Once you’ve thoroughly enjoyed floating and freestyle stroking through the water, simply break out your micellar water.

Use Micellar Water…Mid-Day

While micellar water is a prime pick for getting completely clean, it’s also super-handy for more minor touchups. When your lipstick starts to bleed or your eyeliner starts to smudge, use a cotton swab dipped in micellar water to remove mistakes and smears. You can easily refresh your makeup to let your look last you the rest of the day.

Use Micellar Water…Before Bed

Obviously, no “times to cleanse” list could be complete without mentioning the end of the day. Going about your daily life, the surface of your skin can end up covered in all sorts of impurities, pollutants, dirt, and oils. Before your head ever hits the pillow, you’ll want to remove any of these impurities, as well as all your makeup, to help ensure that you don’t wake up to clogged pores—no, thank you!

For more tips on using micellar water, check out our article, 5 Micellar Water Hacks That Will Make Your Cleansing Routine Easier.