Mycella water seems to be the new must have product in the skincare industry and has become the favourite product with skincare gurus, dermatologists and online influencers but what is it and why is it so good for your skin.
What is Mycella Water? Mycellar Water is really just a gentle toner for your skin made up usually of mostly purified water with added very mild detergent that form large particules of micelles (molecules) and moisturisers. It helps to remove makeup, dirt and grim from your skin, promotes skin hydration, reduces inflammation while keeping your skin supple and smooth. Great for all skin types it keeps pores unblocked which may help with skin problems such as acne and blackheads. This is a great little product with huge benefits to the skin and is really easy and fun to make yourself using just a few good quality ingredients.
Simple ingredients to use :
Water
You can of course use just purified water but why not up the therapeutic properties of your Mycella Water by using Hydrosols which are reasonably priced and readily available from good suppliers like Aromantic. They are made by steam distillation and are the by product of essential oils being made so will of course contain the therapeutic properties of the oils.
Gentle detergent
For my recipe below I have choosen a very mild detergent from the same company called Sugar Detergent, although other mild surfacants can be used. This is a blend of two very mild detergents that have a ph level of 4-6, both are vegetal based with very low foam. One surfacant is derived from sugar beet and one from coconut, both are mild enough to be used on baby skin, both are sulphate free and combined produce a smooth, non-irritating foam.
Glycerin
This is another very important, brilliant ingredient in skincare products, it also goes by the name glycerol and the best ones are derived from plants. It's classed as an humectant which means it draws moisture from the air and locks it into the skin, leaving skin smooth and moisturised. It can relieve dry skin and is reported to help psoriasis.
Aloe Vera Powder
This is the spray dried juice of the Aloe Vera leaves and is an excellant emollient being calming and soothing to the skin and is ideal for sensitive skin types. It's an ideal ingredient for helping acne and soothing sunburn skin, anti-aging and soothing and healing nappy rash on babies. This well loved ingredient has antioxidant and antibacterial effects accelerating skin wound healing, is antiviral and antiseptic - no wonder it's classed as a super skin ingredient!
Preservative
Due to the high water content in your hydrosols or even if you use purified water a broad spectrum preservative is a must as both are very prone to fungal contamination. It's a minefield when looking at and deciding on a preservative to use, there is no such thing as a 'natural' preservative although some are definately more 'natural' than others. Research your preservatives well and always make sure the one you choose will actually preserve all the ingredients that you use in the products you are making. Its not a 'one will fit all' ingredient.
How to Make your own Mycella Water
Stage 1
43% Rose Hydrosol
43% Lavender Hydrosol
10% Witch Hazel Hydrosol
0.5% Aloe Vera Powder
0.5% Glycerin
Stage 2
2% Sugar Detergent
1% Preservative
Blend Stage 1 ingredients making sure the Aloe Vera Powder is completely dissolved. Combine Stages 1 and 2 and mix together thoroughly. Pour into a clean bottle and label.
To use - Pour onto a cotton wool pad and use to cleanse and tone your skin or use to remove your make up.
I hope you enjoying learning How to Make your own Mycella Water, your skin will love it's gentle cleansing and toning action.
x Diane