In colloid science, a micellar solution consists of a dispersion of micelles (small particles) in a solvent (most usually water). Micelles are made of chemicals that are attracted to both water and oily solvents, known as amphiphiles. In a micellar solution, some amphiphiles are clumped together and some are dispersed. Micellar solutions form when the concentration of amphiphile exceeds the critical micelle concentration (CMC) or critical aggregation concentration (CAC), which is when there are enough amphiphiles in the solution to clump together to form micells. Micellar solutions persist until the amphiphile concentration becomes sufficiently high to form a lyotropic liquid crystal phase.[1][2][3][4]
 | This article's lead section may be too technical for most readers to understand. (May 2024) |
Although micelles are often depicted as being spherical, they can be cylindrical or oblate depending on the chemical structure of the amphiphile. Micellar solutions are isotropic phases.
History
Micellar originates from France, with its usage in skincare dating back to 1913.[5] Its popularity boomed internationally when French pharmaceutical company Bioderma released their product Sensibio H2O micellar water in 1991, which is said to be sold every two seconds worldwide today.[6]
Commercial uses
Micellar water is used to remove makeup and oil from the face.[7][8][9][10][11]
References
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