If you're going to wipe your skin, you have to make sure to always rinse off the debris you've swept up afterwards. So, next time you use a wipe, drag yourself to your sink and rinse your face with lukewarm water afterwards. It'll take less than a minute—and trust me—your skin will thank you!
Think of it this way: your wipes are no different from your trusty makeup remover that you use with a cotton pad, so you'll definitely need to rinse your face after using them. Makeup wipes are packed with chemicals that may leave residue on your skin.
After cleansing, whether it's with a makeup remover wipe or rinse-off cleanser, you should always moisturize.
One of the easiest and most practical tips for using makeup remover wipes is simply to rinse your face with water or follow with a gentle cleanser after the makeup is gone.
"Other than those situations, I wouldn't recommend using cleansing wipes on a routine basis," Marchbein says. If you start to rely on them too frequently, if you use them instead of cleansing your face or if you have a specific skin type or condition, you could be putting yourself at risk for irritation.
Makeup wipes are not formulated to actually clean your skin. They are formulated to break down makeup. Your face might look makeup free when you're done, but these wipes don't actually cleanse your skin and tend to leave behind a residue that isn't doing your skin any favors.
“Face wipes do not clean as thoroughly as a dedicated facial cleanser and water, often leaving behind grime and oil which may over time lead to clogged pores, breakouts and even irritation from residual product on the skin,” warns Dr Alexis Granite, Consulting Dermatologist at Kiehl's.
In comparison to makeup wipes, micellar water is much better because its molecules encapsulate dirt as well as makeup crystals so they can be washed off. And even if you don't have water, applying micellar water to the face and wiping it off will achieve a better clean.
One huge misconception is that makeup wipes remove makeup. Instead, makeup remover wipes don't effectively remove or cleanse makeup from your skin. They basically just smear dirt, bacteria, oil and makeup on your skin causing pore blockage and skin irritation.
Surfactants, solubilizers, and emulsifiers are the most common active ingredients in makeup wipes. These ingredients play a role in dissolving makeup and getting rid of oil and dead skin. Another common ingredient in wipes is sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate your skin and eyes.
Don't apply foundation right after moisturizing.
Always give your moisturizer time (as long as 15 minutes) to absorb into your skin before applying foundation.
Pulling the skin in a downward motion can also lead to premature wrinkles and even saggy skin over time. Instead, apply your moisturizer gently in a circular, upward motion, and for your eye area, pat gently with your ring finger.
Have no fear – we've done our share of research, and the answer is clear: post-shower is definitely the way to go. Sure, washing your face in the shower saves time but it can also do more harm than good – like, clogging pores with other products (gross) or drying out skin with hot water (ouch).
Do you think makeup wipes cause acne? No, makeup wipes are unlikely to cause acne but they can leave behind dirt and grime that can contribute to acne. And, particularly in sensitive skinned people, they can cause irritation that can cause swelling and inflammation and that can block pores.
Experts recommend using wipes not more than twice a week because it leaves behind a lot of dirt, grime and oil. Here are a few more facial wipe mistakes you could be making and how they could be bad for your skin.
"They are formulated to break down makeup," he said. "The chemicals in some cases can be harsh to your skin causing micro-tears, or push makeup and debris deeper into your pores leading to further problems."
According to Bustle, “20 million makeup wipes a day are being thrown into the trash. This makes wipes the third most wasteful product in the world.” Not only are makeup wipes bad for the environment, but they're also not the most effective makeup removal option on the market.
Makeup Wipe Alternative 4: Cream Cleanser
Just like a gel cleanser, a cream cleanser can also be used to remove makeup without a wipe to kick off the process. If you have dry skin and hate that tight feeling that can happen after you cleanse and remove your makeup, this is definitely the option for you.
'Micellar waters can be bad news for people with congested skin that's prone to breakouts,' advises Kerr. 'This is because the ingredients used in micellar waters leave a surface residue on the skin which can act like a film, blocking pores and disrupting oil production.
If you don't rinse the micellar water, there are always some molecules soaked with dirt and bacteria lingering on your skin that can be a source of irritation and inflammation. surfactants / micelles are not picky, they gather all types of oils on your skin.
It is important to remove makeup and dirt at the end of each day, as they can potentially block pores. Any cleanser can help someone avoid this, but micellar water can clean the face even if someone cannot wash with running water.
Many wipes actually just push dirt and makeup around your face, without fully lifting or rinsing them away. The chemicals used to preserve wipes can also irritate your skin – and that goes for fragrances, too. The environment is not a big fan of cleansing wipes, since most makeup wipes aren't recyclable or compostable.
According to Dr. Greenfield, using certain makeup wipes can, in fact, contribute to the appearance of wrinkles. “Makeup wipes have so many varied ingredients and if they contain alcohol, your face will become dried out after use,” she says.
“Often, makeup wipes contain high levels of alcohol and harmful chemicals which can cause dryness and irritation and disrupt the PH balance of your skin,” she noted. “When you combine that with the texture of the wipes, you open yourself up to the risk of micro-tears. This can cause signs of premature aging over time.”