Using quality facial care products tailored to your needs is essential for beautiful skin. But it's your overall routine that will make the difference. From a young age, we're told about micellar water, especially the famous Bioderma, which needs no introduction. But for some time now, toners have been making a comeback. Personally, I'm a fan of floral waters.

So how do you navigate all these terms? By reading this article, of course! ;)

Micellar Water:

What is micellar water?

As its name suggests, micellar water is an aqueous product composed of micelles. These are ingredients that clean the skin by capturing dirt, impurities, and makeup that end up on your cotton pad. Its promise is quick makeup removal and skin cleansing.

How and when to apply micellar water?

Brands recommend using micellar water as a makeup remover/cleanser, so as a first step. Simply apply it to a cotton pad (reusable if possible to avoid waste) and gently rub the skin. Be careful around the eyes, which are more sensitive and more easily irritated.

Cathy's tip:

More and more micellar waters are "pimped" with gentler and more moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, for example. However, it's not a product I personally recommend or use because it can be drying. In my opinion, nothing beats double cleansing (oil makeup remover + gel or foam cleanser) for thoroughly clean skin, especially when applying sunscreen.

Nevertheless, I know many of you appreciate this product. I therefore advise you to rinse it off, especially with floral water for example, to prevent micelles from remaining on the skin. My second tip is to choose it carefully: natural, gentle on the skin, and especially alcohol-free (avoid purifying micellar waters that can sometimes be too aggressive).

Toner:

What is a toner?

Unlike micellar water, toner does not clean the skin. Enriched with active ingredients, it provides one or more benefits to the skin depending on its composition. You need to choose it carefully according to your skin's needs.

Toner is therefore considered more of a treatment or sometimes helps prepare the skin to receive your skincare routine.

How and when to apply toner?

Toner is applied after cleansing the skin and will be the first step/first skincare product applied to the skin.

Put a few drops of product on a cotton pad or directly into the palm of your hand, then apply gently, by tapping and without rubbing, to the face.

Since this product contains active ingredients, it is important to follow the usage instructions. Some, with fruit acids for example, should be used in the evening rather than during the day.

Cathy's tip:

For me, toner is more similar to a serum. It should therefore be applied to clean skin, free of cleanser residues or limescale. Floral water should then be applied before the toner.

Floral Water:

What is floral water?

During the distillation of a flower, an oily phase (essential oil) and an aqueous phase (our floral water) are obtained. Thanks to its aromatic components, this water is gentle on the skin and offers multiple benefits depending on its origin: cornflower floral water is perfect for decongesting, lavender floral water soothes and gently purifies, while rose or chamomile floral water soothes and refreshes the skin.

Hydrosol or floral water?

They are essentially the same thing, obtained by the same process at the end of distillation. It's a hydrosol if it comes from a plant; it's a floral water if it comes from a flower.

How and when to apply floral water?

I recommend applying floral water to gently remove small impurities and refresh the skin. It will remove limescale from the skin (especially when rinsing your cleanser with tap water) and rebalance the pH.

It is therefore perfect after cleansing to apply your treatments to perfectly clean skin.

Cathy's tip:

Choose your floral water based on the scent to also enjoy a pleasant, enjoyable, and relaxing moment. It's essential to have products that we like (scent, texture, etc.) to stick to our routine.

I also love applying it as the first step in the morning to avoid cleansing my skin with a gel but still remove impurities from the night.

In the summer, put it in the refrigerator! ;)

Since they aren't really used at the same skincare step, you can use all of them. The most important thing is to choose your product according to your skin's needs.

Moreover, during our Beauty Appointment together, I can guide you towards suitable products. We can review your beauty routine as a whole (steps, products) to easily integrate it into your personal life.

Make an appointment! :)