If you haven't already, now is the time to ditch the makeup wipes. Let's be honest, they do more harm than good, and this is especially the case when it comes to your face. It might seem like a quick and easy way to remove your makeup after a night out, but you should be avoiding it at all costs.
Before we get into why you should be putting an end to using face wipes, here are some eye-opening statistics-
Each year over 11 billion wet wipes are binned or flushed down the toilet. This will take around 100 years for them to biodegrade. 9.3 million wipes are flushed down the toilet every day. This accounts for 93% of sewage blockages.
Most wet wipes contain plastic fibers so when they are disposed of, they can never fully biodegrade. To add to this, when wipes are not disposed of correctly (for example flushing them down the loo) it can leave you in a “poo” situation, and this is in the literal sense. They either block up the sewerage pipes and leave you with a rather smelly mess in your bathroom or, they make their way into our oceans and cause harm to marine life. The negative impact of wipes does not end there, keep reading to find out why you should bin them right now.
They're Not Exactly Good for Removing Makeup -
When we come home after a long day at work or after a night out, the first thing we want to do is remove our makeup. Out of convenience, we head straight for the makeup wipes. Then we start to wipe the makeup away. But 1 is not enough, sometimes 2 doesn't quite do the job either so we go for a third one.
Even after all that, our face still doesn't feel clean enough and that's because it isn't. Without using a water based or oil-based cleanser, dirt and grime can remain stuck to our face.
Makeup Wipes Clog Your Pores -
Carrying on from my last point. The lack of real cleansing ability from wipes may result in clogged pores and unwanted breakouts. Your makeup might have been removed however, there will still be oil and dirt left on the surface of the face. Using wipes on your face will essentially just smear any oil and bacteria around the rest of your face. Therefore, if you do not clean your face further you will probably end up with some spots.
Wipes Can Block the Toilet -
A major issue with wipes is that people tend to flush them down the toilet rather than disposing them in a waste bin. Over time, wipes that are carelessly flushed down the loo will begin to block the pipes connected to the toilet. Before you know it, a whole load of unwanted waste will come back up and potentially flood your bathroom. It may seem harmless to some as certain toilet wipes claim to be flushable, but the majority of wipes contain some sort of plastic. Unlike toilet rolls which can break down, allowing it to pass through pipes, wipes do not.
Not only will it be gross, and you will be the one having to clean up the mess, you could be fined for the blockage too.
Full of Harsh Chemicals and Preservatives -
Makeup wipes aren't exactly friendly for your skin. They are full of chemicals and preservatives that are used to break down makeup. However, many of the cleaning agents that are used in the wipes are common irritants to the skin. If you already have sensitive skin, it is probably going to feel worse off after using makeup wipes. Often wipes contain alcohol and added fragrances which can be extremely drying to the skin regardless of skin types.
Vigorous Rubbing Causes Redness and Irritation -
Adding to the chemicals and preservatives already causing irritation to your skin, vigorous rubbing of the wipes is only going to make matters worse. Makeup wipes are perhaps one of the most abrasive ways to remove makeup from your face. The texture of the wipes will exfoliate the top layer of your skin which can lead to redness and in some cases minor tears. Now imagine if you already exfoliate your skin as part of your routine, your skin will feel sensitive, sore, and seriously dried out.
Not Environmentally Friendly -
When wipes have been flushed down the toilet and have managed to not block the pipes, they make their way to our waterways. Large numbers of wipes end up washed up on beaches but the rest float around at sea. Not only does it become a major littering issue, but it can also become a problem to marine life too. If marine animals ingest plastic, it could lead to suffocation, starvation and even lead to death.
Bin Those Wipes and Start Double Cleansing -
Thankfully, there are other ways to remove your makeup which are much kinder to both your skin and the environment. Double cleansing is perhaps one of the best ways to gently wipe off your makeup whilst leaving your skin fully cleansed.
How to Double Cleanse -
Split into two steps, the first part involves removing any makeup or cream from the surface of your skin. You can do this with an oil-based cleanser such as a balm. Take a small amount of the product and gently rub it all around your face then down your neck. Make sure to be careful around your eyes as you do not want any product getting in them.
Rinse a makeup remover cloth, or flannel under warm water, wring it out so that it is damp then gently wipe the makeup away. Gently pat your face dry.
Once you are makeup free, you can start the next step of the double cleanse. With a reusable cotton pad apply a water-based cleanser. This cleanser should be one that is suitable for your skin type. For example, if you are someone who has oily skin, you should be avoiding micellar water that contains oil as it will only make your face even oiler. Carefully sweep the pad around your face, avoiding contact with your eyes. After you have covered the whole of your face, rinse the product off if necessary and pat your face dry. You can now proceed with the rest of your skincare routine.
If you are looking for some more guidance on what should be in your skincare routines, check out our Morning and Evening skincare routine blogs.
Hopefully this blog has provided you with an insight into why we should be ditching the face wipes. Not only are they bad for your skin, but they are also bad for the environment too. For more advice on how you can make your skincare routine better for the environment, click here.
