Elemental

Elemental is a former publication from Medium for science-backed health and wellness coverage. Currently inactive and not taking submissions.

Follow publication

Member-only story

We’re All Tired. Are Makeup Wipes Our Salvation?

Mariana Lenharo
Elemental
Published in
4 min readDec 13, 2019

Photo: CiydemImages/Getty Images

MMakeup wipes are high on the list of bestselling beauty and personal care products on Amazon — that’s before lip balm, makeup brushes, and teeth-whitening kits. Made from materials such as cotton, wood pulp, and polyester, these disposable cleaning cloths usually contain ingredients similar to those found in face cleansers. Similar to cleansers, makeup wipes contain ingredients like surfactants, which are compounds that help remove excessive oil, dirt, and makeup. The wipes may also contain humectants — compounds that help draw water to the surface of the skin — as well as emollients, which form a protective film to trap the moisture. Some wipes are packaged dry and require the addition of water. Others are wet and contain preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.

It sounds like a quick and nifty delivery system. So, can you just always use a makeup wipe — traditional cleanser be damned?

Fayne Frey, a board-certified dermatologist who developed FryFace, a science-based skin care information website, is fairly unimpressed with makeup wipes. “In the beauty industry, there are lots of ways to apply products. Wipes are just another way to apply something to the skin,” she says.

Dermatologists generally view makeup wipes as a useful tool to remove cosmetic, sweat, and debris for people on the go. “When this is your only option, it is a great option,” says Sandra Johnson, a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic dermatology and clinical trials. “For example, they are great to keep in your athletic bag so you can wipe your face before you exercise and again after you exercise.

As for the idea of using wipes daily as a substitute for good old cleanser and water, dermatologists tend to advise against it for a few different reasons.

One problem is that the wipes often contain greater concentrations of surfactants than more traditional cleansers. “This may be problematic for patients with sensitive skin, as can be the preservatives in wipes,” says board-certified dermatologist Meghan Feely, who serves as a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai’s Department of Dermatology.

For people with healthy…

Create an account to read the full story.

The author made this story available to Medium members only.
If you’re new to Medium, create a new account to read this story on us.

Or, continue in mobile web

Already have an account? Sign in

Elemental
Elemental

Published in Elemental

Elemental is a former publication from Medium for science-backed health and wellness coverage. Currently inactive and not taking submissions.

Mariana Lenharo
Mariana Lenharo

Written by Mariana Lenharo

Science and health journalist with a special interest in evidence-based medicine and epidemics. Columbia Journalism School alumna. mari.lenharo@gmail.com.

Write a response

How can someone be too tired to take off makeup but not too tired to put it on? Doesn’t the latter take more time??

--

I used to use makeup wipes in my skincare routine which hepled me remove the makeup. After few weeks i started having breakout, i stopped after. Then my face went back to normal, prob something do with the alcohol and preservatives..

--

“For example, they are great to keep in your athletic bag so you can wipe your face before you exercise and again after you exercise.

Great point! As a guy and someone who doesn’t use makeup I never thought of this. Will add this to my gym bag. Thanks :)

--