In colloid science, a micellar solution consists of a dispersion of

micelle A micelle () or micella () ( or micellae, respectively) is an aggregate (or supramolecular assembly) of surfactant amphipathic lipid molecules dispersed in a liquid, forming a colloidal suspension (also known as associated colloidal system). ...

s (small particles) in a

solvent A solvent (from the Latin language, Latin ''wikt:solvo#Latin, solvō'', "loosen, untie, solve") is a substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a Solution (chemistry), solution. A solvent is usually a liquid but can also be a solid, a gas ...

(most usually water). Micelles are made of chemicals that are attracted to both water and oily solvents, known as

amphiphile In chemistry, an amphiphile (), or amphipath, is a chemical compound possessing both hydrophilic (''water-loving'', polar) and lipophilic (''fat-loving'', nonpolar) properties. Such a compound is called amphiphilic or amphipathic. Amphiphilic ...

s. 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 In colloidal chemistry, colloidal and surface chemistry, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) is defined as the concentration of surfactants above which micelles form and all additional surfactants added to the system will form micelles. The ...

(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. 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. 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.

Commercial uses

Micellar water is used to remove makeup and oil from the face.

References

{{Reflist Colloidal chemistry