Micelles are the key elements in the famous micellar water invented by NAOS in 1991. Micelles are ultrafine micro-spheres made up of gentle micellar agents (amphiphilic molecules). Those molecules have a hydrophilic head, in contact with the water, and a lipophilic head that can capture lipidic dirt, impurities, and excess sebum, for example. This dual affinity explains how micellar water can remove lipidic residues from the skin surface.
Micellar water has been specifically developed to prevent contact between tap water and sensitive skin. It simplifies the routine of make-up removal and skin cleansing. It was the first leave-on cleansing formula. It has been developed like a skincare with 100% of leave-on ingredients.
For example, we have proven that the micellar agent contained in our Sensibio H2O micellar water can be metabolized by skin enzymes to release its biomimetic oily phase within ten minutes after application.
You should not rinse a NAOS micellar water, if you want to keep on your skin a dedicated product, formulated at physiological pH with a purified water of pharmaceutical grade, and enriched with dedicated active ingredients.