Are Makeup Wipes Bad for Your Skin?

One of the best things I’ve done for my skin is religiously following my cleansing routine every single night. It’s helped calm my hormonal acne and I get compliments on my skin’s glow all the time. However, sometimes I’m discouraged from washing my face because I have makeup on. If you, too, wear makeup, you know how difficult it can be to remove. Perhaps this large undertaking is what gave way for the creation of makeup wipes. These (often disposable) face wipes are formulated with surfactants, solubilizers, and emulsifiers to remove makeup, oil, and dead skin. But are they any good or are makeup wipes bad for your skin?

In this article, we’ll talk more in-depth about makeup remover wipes. For instance, we’ll explore what they’re usually made of and how they can affect the skin. After that, you may decide that you don’t want to use the wipes anymore. If you go that route, we also provide alternatives to using a makeup wipe.

Keep reading to have all your burning questions about makeup wipes answered. Spoiler alert: They shouldn’t be part of your skincare routine.

Are Makeup Wipes Bad for Your Skin?

While there are certainly people who will continue to use (and swear by) makeup wipes, they are actually bad for your skin. You might feel like your face is clear of makeup and grime. However, makeup wipes tend to move that stuff around instead of cleaning it off. It’s worth mentioning that if you’ve found these are the only things that work for your skin, do you.

That said, makeup wipes also have the potential to irritate sensitive skin, including dry, acne-prone skin. If you’re looking for skincare for dry, acne-prone skin, you might consider washing your face with a gentle cleanser like Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser. Tbh, this is a fab cleanser for any skin type. And it’s certainly better than leaving grime on the surface of your skin.

What Are Makeup Remover Wipes Made Of?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “cleansing wipes, [like makeup wipes], are made of materials such as polyester, polypropylene, cotton, wood pulp, or rayon fibers formed into sheets.” As you might imagine, this isn’t ideal for your skin. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes are some of the most popular makeup wipes on the market. Let’s dissect the ingredients in this pick as an example.

Per INCI Decoder, which helps people understand what’s in their skincare products, there are a number of substandard ingredients in these makeup wipes. These include fragrance and hexylene glycol. Fragrance can really irritate skin, which isn’t a desired result. Also, the only thing in here that’s meant to clean your skin is the hexylene glycol. Everything else just spreads the grime around. However, this ingredient may irritate your skin or clog your pores. And this is why makeup wipes are bad for skin.

What To Use Instead of Makeup Wipes

I stopped using makeup wipes in 2019 because I didn’t feel that they were good at removing makeup or dirt, especially if you wear a lot of makeup. When it comes to removing your makeup, there are a handful of things that are better than makeup wipes. 

My two favorites are micellar water with a face cloth or cleansing balms as part of a double cleansing routine. In case you’re wondering, double cleansing involves using an oil-based cleanser first and then washing up with a water-based cleanser.

Below, find five of our favorite options to cleanse your skin. And yes, we’ve tried them ourselves! 

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water With Vitamin C

Micellar water earned its name because there are micelles in the water. Micelles are particles that work as magnets to remove dirt, makeup, excess oil, and even sunscreen. This micellar water is my favorite because it cleanses and brightens your skin. Aside from the micelles, Vitamin C is the hero ingredient here. This pick is free of oil, alcohol, and fragrances, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

Available on Ulta | Also available on Amazon and Target

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water

Another fabulous option as far as micellar water goes is this Bioderma pick. It’s a great formula for sensitive skin especially, but it’s also good for other skin types. I bought this in Mexico when I realized I forgot my cleanser and was so happy with it. I actually used it to replace my cleanser for two weeks and it did a great job. It left my skin clean without stripping too many of my natural oils.

Available on Amazon | Also available on Target

Farmacy Green Clean 

This is my holy grail product. I honestly cannot sing high enough praises for this cleansing balm. Green Clean has been a lifesaver for my skin because it helps bring out all the gunk and remove all of the makeup. It also lathers up nicely when you apply water to it, so you can feel your skin become cleaner as you go. I also love that this comes with a spatula in its own container so it’s highly hygienic.

Available on Sephora | Also available on Amazon and Farmacy

Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm

What I love about this cleansing balm is that it’s available at a ton of drugstores nationwide. In addition to coming in a cute, pink container, this pick is dermatologist-tested, clinically tested, and cruelty-free. It’s formulated with vitamin E and eucalyptus oil, which are respectively great for hydrating skin and supporting the skin barrier.

Available on Target | Also available on Versed Skin

Krave Beauty Makeup Re-Wined

Any time I travel by airplane, I pack this oil cleanser in my toiletries bag. The bottle is 3.4 ounces, meaning it’s perfect for your carry-on. Plus, I’ve worn highly pigmented eyeliner that’s impossible to remove—and this product took it clean off. This isn’t a balm, since it’s not solid, but it still does a great job of removing dirt, grime, sebum, and makeup. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, essential oil-free, and recyclable.

Available on Amazon | Also available on Krave Beauty