Here’s everything you need to know about this skincare staple

Cleansing is the cornerstone of any good skincare regime. A thorough clean not only gets rid of daily grime, make-up and SPF, it provides the right base for the rest of the products in your routine to work efficiently.

A quick splash of water just won’t cut it, so it’s better to choose a cleanser with ingredients that work as hard as you do. Case in point: micellar. With everyone from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to Khloé Kardashian singing its praises, it’s no wonder this hydrating hero has grown in popularity over the past few years.

While micellar water was the original product to make waves, micellar gel is now having its moment in the spotlight. Here we dive deep into the benefits, sharing some of our favourite products…

Both micellar water and micellar gel contain something called micelles. ‘These are little pockets of fatty acids that absorb sebum [oily substances produced by your skin] and other pollutants,’ aesthetic doctor and skincare expert Dr David Jack explains.

The two differ due to consistency. ‘Micellar gel is semi-solid, whereas micellar water is a fluid,’ he says. There's also a difference in how gentle the products are – whereas other cleansers run the risk of stripping your skin, micellar products are more gentle, drawing impurities away by attracting them to the micelles in the wash.

A range of brands have a micellar wash in their roster – from Simple and their Water Boost Micellar Gel Wash to Millie Bobby Brown’s make-up collection Florence by Mills – it’s just a case of finding the right product for you and your skin.

When you wash your face with a micellar gel, the micelles work their magic to deeply cleanse the skin. ‘Pollutants and other fat-soluble substances in the skin dissolve into the gel and are absorbed into the micelles, so they can then be washed off the skin effectively,’ says Dr Jack.

Stubborn make-up? Build up of pollution? Heavy SPF? Micellar gel works hard to remove the day from your skin.

There’s nothing worse than a cleanser that strips the skin. Micellar gel does the opposite. ‘The main benefit of micellar gel is that it can very effectively cleanse the skin surface without drying it out,’ Dr Jack confirms.

Micellar gel not only cleanses the skin but keeps it lovely and hydrated in the process. This is down to the inclusion of humectants, substances that prevent moisture loss. Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash, for example, is designed especially for dehydrated skin.

In the summer months, milky or oily cleansers can feel heavy on the skin. A lightweight micellar gel instead helps cool and calm. Want to up the ante in hot weather? Pop the cleanser in the fridge.

Micellar gel is a great all-rounder that suits every skin type. Even better, its gentle nature won’t cause adverse reactions.

Micellar water is normally used by soaking a cotton pad and swiping over the skin but micellar gel is more like a traditional cleanser – you squirt it into your palms, massage into your face, then either rinse off with water or remove it with a damp cloth or flannel.

Shop Simple's skincare range (including micellar washes and gels) here