As its name suggests, micellar cleansers contain “micelles”. These “micelles” are microscopic clusters of cleansing molecules, suspended in de-ionised water. They are hydrophobic and oil-loving, grabbing and absorbing dirt and makeup, without breaking or upsetting the skin’s natural lipid barrier the way a foaming or rinsing cleanser does. Our micellar cleansers are alcohol, soap, ethoxylate and paraben-free. They can be used as gentle makeup removers, or as a non-rinse cleanser for both sensitive and oily, acne-prone skins. And…because they are low pH, they don’t disrupt the skin’s acid mantle and pH balance either.

But most importantly, since they are no-rinse and ‘leave-on’, they function as more than just cleansers. They are active cleansers, meaning they not only cleanse but also become the first layer of your skin treatment. The active ingredients in the cleanser are not rinsed off, as they would be with a conventional foaming cleanser.

OptoDerm’s Micellar Cleanser Kombucha contains these active ingredients:

Kombucha Ferment
Witch Hazel extract
Niacinamide
Inositol

Kombucha ferment is rich in enzymes, amino acids and polyphenols, as well as glucuronic acid, glycerol, lactic acid, usnic acid, B-vitamins and vitamin C, to smoothe and freshen the skin. These components also have anti-glycation activity (up to 79% reduction in AGE’s), they re-densify the adipocyte population activity in facial areas that have lost volume (G3PDH activity increases by up to 139%. G3PDH is a marker for adipocyte maturation from fibroblasts in culture) and improves overall skin quality by enhancing skin radiance and colour (a measured improvement in both skin luminosity and clarity).

Niacinamide confers multiple skin benefits. It has an occlusive effect, without being greasy. A published study found that niacinamide was more effective than petrolatum (a common occlusive ingredient in moisturisers) in reducing water loss from the skin and in increasing its moisture levels. Niacinamide is also non-comedogenic (pore clogging), is a potent anti-aging ingredient in its own right and helps to prevent excess sebum production, in acne-prone skins.

Inositol is considered to be a B-group vitamin. It is used to provide moisture, control sebum and to supply anti-aging antioxidants. Sebum, which is secreted by the sebaceous glands together with other epidermal lipids, helps maintain hydration of the skin by providing a protective lipid layer on the skin surface that reduces fluid loss through the epidermis. Moreover, skin lipids and amino acids contribute to surface acidity, and a low pH protects the skin from pathogens. However, too much sebum results in acne. Too little results in dry skin. Inositol helps to regulate sebum production to an optimal level – it down-regulates sebum in an oily skin and up-regulates it in a dry skin.

It is believed that inositol increases the activity of cells in aging facial tissue, increases hydration and softens a part of the accumulated adipose tissue (which accumulates and hardens through aging) into a gel like condition, to increase the skin’s elasticity. Moreover, inositol increases the flow of capillary vessels to help deliver nutrients to cells and enhances cellular turnover in the reticular layer, to improve the skin’s elasticity. This effect is greatly enhanced by the addition of niacinamide.

Witch Hazel distillate contains no alcohol but is rich in “gallate” proanthocyanidins and catechins. Its strong antioxidant and astringent properties are perfect for toning, killing bacteria within your skin pores and preventing cellular damage resulting from oxidative stress.