If you are still using makeup wipes, we suggest you stop right now. According to Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, makeup wipes can be irritating to the skin. “Many [makeup wipes] have low levels of alcohol or fragrance that can change the pH levels in your skin,” she says. Not to mention, they likely won’t remove every last bit of makeup, so you’re likely to clog your pores without even noticing.
There are plenty of alternatives to removing makeup like cleansers, cleansing balms, or, the star of this story: reusable makeup removers. This option normally comes in the form of cotton rounds that have multi-use functionality or reusable towels — both of which are activated with water or micellar water.
The negative environmental effects shouldn’t be overlooked either. Emily Nyrop, vice president of the Conservation Center for Natural Climate Solutions tells Allure that single-use makeup remover wipes tend to be made of non-biodegradable materials like polyester or polypropylene. Single-use cotton rounds can also be bad for the environment and climate because they may be made out of unsustainably-sourced cotton and other non-biodegradable materials, Nyrop notes. “When these one-time use wipes or rounds aren’t disposed of properly, they can take a long time to decompose in landfills, thus contributing to environmental and water pollution,” she says. Yikes.
While the convenience of a single-use makeup wipe or cotton round seems like the easy way out, many reusable makeup removers have become so easy to clean and use, you’ll hardly feel the difference. Another benefit of switching to reusable products? Saving money in the long term, Nyrop points out. Below are the best reusable makeup removers on the market.
In this Milk Makeup Hydro Ungrip Reusable Pads bundle you get seven reusable makeup-removing pads made out of soft bamboo fiber. To wash, you can either hand-wash them or put them in the washable mesh bag and throw it into a gentle-cycle wash.
The Original MakeUp Eraser is a personal favorite of senior commerce writer Angela Trakoshis. “Once you add water to this towel, it becomes more effective than any makeup wipe I’ve ever used,” she says. The towel is double-sided, so use the short fibers to erase makeup and the longer fiber side to exfoliate. Plus, it comes in many different colors and patterns so you have an array to choose from, in case this bright pink isn’t your thing.
Swap your makeup wipes for the Face Halo Reusable Makeup Remover Pads and you’ll never look back. Just add some warm water to the round and gently glide it across any makeup or debris to take it all off.
