Yes, it’s safe to use baby wipes on your face. The majority of baby wipe brands in the market are made of cotton, bamboo, non-woven blend, or polyester and saturated with water, oil, and cleansers. These wipes are usually hypoallergenic and are tested safe for the skin. However, if the objective of using the wipes on your face is getting rid of makeup effectively, then this might not be the best option. They sure are wet enough to remove makeup on the surface, but they don’t do a great job of cleansing your skin perfectly and making it squeaky clean, especially if you like wearing long-wear and waterproof makeup.
Beauty and makeup enthusiasts in forums and beauty channels swear by baby wipes as a great makeup remover. However, the camp seems to be divided on whether or not you can effectively remove makeup using them.
Many claim it is great for those who have sensitive skin since it’s alcohol-free and fragrance-free. But are those claims true?
Can I remove my makeup with baby wipes?
Baby wipes are made to clean your baby’s poop, pee, or snot.
Sure it can act as an easy clean-up item to remove some dirt and grime off your face, but it’s not strong enough to break down and remove makeup.
Sure, baby wipes are a very convenient option if you are a mom and already have stashes of them lying around your house. And since they’re made for babies, you might think that they are gentle, right? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Baby wipes are not good for makeup removal.
Makeup consists of oils and waxes which are particularly hard to break down. Baby wipes are not designed to dissolve light or heavy makeup, be it creamy or oily formulations.
When you have remnants of makeup on your face that haven’t been cleaned, it can cause a myriad of skin problems.
So, many other options are better for your skin than using baby wipes on your face.
Are makeup remover wipes good?
As a regular makeup wearer myself, I have never tried baby wipes on my face. But, I can vouch for the convenience and ease of makeup removing wipes on lazy days where I am too tired to go through the routine of the double cleansing method.
Also, makeup remover wipes easily break down and dissolve silicone, wax, and oils found in makeup and can also remove waterproof mascara and foundation thoroughly. After cleansing your skin with a makeup remover, always follow up with a face cleanser.
You can opt for this method once in a while when you are tired, and it is the end of the day, and want to hit the sack. However, never sleep with a full face of makeup, as it can cause many skin problems.
After years of experimenting with different makeup removing methods, I have found double cleansing as the most effective method to remove makeup and keep skin irritation-free.
What is double cleansing?
Double cleansing is the dermatologist’s recommended method of removing makeup and probably the best way. It consists of two steps.
- First, cleanse your face with an oil-based cleanser or virgin cold-pressed oils like coconut or olive oil. This step tackles pore-clogging makeup that can remain on the skin after you wash your face with only a facewash.
- You should then wash your face with a water-based cleanser that suits your skin concern. After this step, you may apply your skin treatments and moisturizer.
Chemical in baby wipes that could cause irritation
If you want to go ahead and try removing your makeup with baby wipes or cleaning your face with it, it all boils down to one thing, your skin type and its reaction to various ingredients in soaps, cleansers, and shampoos.
If you have sensitive skin like mine, you may have more trouble finding suitable products that work for you.
But if your skin is tough, you can probably get away with using almost anything. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should be using harmful chemicals all over your body.
Are baby wipes face skin friendly?
The great news is if you are using natural and high-quality wipes for your baby’s bottom, your face will be in a good state as it’s not going to have harsh ingredients that could irritate your baby’s skin. But if your baby wipes contain any irritating ingredients, they may cause skin issues.
Baby wipes are manufactured using non-woven fabric and are comparable to dryer sheets in texture. They come in tubs made of plastic to keep the cloth moist and can be dispensed with ease. It is designed in a specific way that suits heavy-duty cleaning and is disposable at the same time.
Given below is a list of chemicals commonly found in baby wipes that could potentially be harmful to the skin on your face. So be sure to stay clear of them.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT or MI)
This ingredient is found in many different baby wipes and skincare products. It’s used as a biocide which helps to preserve or lengthen the shelf life of the wipes. It can cause skin irritation with regular use.
Chlorine
Chlorine dries out your skin and makes it feel dry and tight. Long-term use of products containing chlorine can harm your skin.
Alcohols
This ingredient is used as a disinfectant. It helps break down oils naturally occurring in the skin, which a lot of times cause irritation and breakouts for people with sensitive and dry skin.
Sodium lauryl sulfate
It is a common ingredient found in most personal care products. It is a surfactant that breaks down oils so that they can be washed easily. They are known to irritate the skin over time.
Takeaway
In my opinion, baby wipes are good for removing light makeup, cleaning dirt, and grime on occasion. They are not the best option for removing heavy makeup.
They might be cheaper and more readily available if you are a parent, but it’s not worth the trouble it can cause by using them in the long term.
The best way to clean your face is the double cleansing method. Double cleanse your face every day after a day of wearing makeup. If you wear makeup, invest in a good quality cleanser, makeup-removing wipes for lazy days, and good quality skincare.
Wipes cause a lot of paper waste. Double cleansing is economical, environmentally friendly, and great for your skin.
