Proper Makeup Removing Routine & Beauty Habits to Ensure Healthier & Flawless Looking Skin Without Using “Makeup Removing” Wipes; Are They Good or Bad?

Illustrated photo of woman wearing a face mask surrounded by skincare

The kids are in bed, the workday is over, and the wine is poured! Yes ma’am, it is YOU time and... well deserved! So, draw that bubble bath, grab a good book, and take off the makeup.

Taking care of our mind and spirit is just as important as taking proper care of our skin.

Removing your makeup can be therapeutic and not just a necessity for your pores. If you stay dedicated to a makeup removing routine and develop healthy beauty habits your results will be flawless looking skin.

“Can I just use a makeup removing wipe and be done?”

Sure...but you won’t be doing any favors for your skin. In fact, you may be doing more harm than good.

Makeup Cleansing Wipes FAQ’s

Photo of makeup wipes container

Let’s explore some FAQ’s about makeup removing wipes, so that you may better understand why they aren’t the best option.

  1. What is inside makeup remover wipes?

There are a lot of ingredients that go into a tiny wipe designed for a big job. Big jobs require big chemicals...unfortunately.

Surfactants, (solubilizers and emulisifiers), are used to dissolve and lift makeup, oil, and dead skin on to the wipe. Long-term usage causes skin irritation and leads to some degree of damage.

Some makeup remover wipes have alcohol in them! Ouch! Talk about a sting!

Let’s not forget about the packaging...the wipes don’t last forever and they have a shelf-life. This means added preservatives that contain formaldehyde releasing chemicals.

  1. Do makeup remover wipes actually clean your face?

No. Plain and simple! Even after a BIG chemical compilation proposed to give you a bare face, it still leaves residue and grime.

Especially when water is NOT involved with cleaning your skin; the irritants left behind will dry your skin out even more!

TRY THIS TRICK: After using a makeup wipe, grab a toner and a cotton ball. Dab toner on the cotton and swipe it all over your face. Then, take a ”Look-see!” This will show you just how much residue your makeup wipe left behind and did NOT “clean” your skin!

  1. Are makeup remover wipes bad for the environment?

Yes. Makeup removing wipes are made of non bio-degradable plastic fibers.

Did you know: One group found that roughly 20 million pounds of single-use wipes (including baby wipes and disinfecting wipes) are disposed of every day in the U.S.

Diana Felton MD, a Hawaiian state toxicologist with the Health Department, has said “The biggest environmental problem with makeup remover wipes is the sheer volume.

When to Properly Use a Makeup Wipe

GIF of woman removing makeup with makeup wipe

I do have a positive note! Makeup wipes can be good... and useful in moderation.

Headed to the gym after work, school, etc? No time for a full-face cleanse before a sweaty, hardcore, adrenaline pumping, and soul cleansing workout?? That’s okay! Go ahead and use a makeup removing wipe to clear off the bulk best you can.

In some cases, especially with skin sensitivities and acne, it’s better to rid your face of anything before we know hard work will be ‘gettin’ done! This prevents the makeup from melding together with the sweat and seeping into your pores causing more skin problems!

Need Options?

The Primera Makeup Removing-Cleansing Wipes (60 sheets $26) or the Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes (pack of 30, $12) found at Sephora have the “Sephora Clean” stamp of approval; this means over 50 ingredients, including sulfates, parabens, phthalates, are NOT in them or harmful!

Let’s all take a big sigh of relief....”aaahhhhhh!”

Establishing a Routine with Beauty Habits

Closeup photo of woman with face wash suds

You should remove your makeup and wash your face with the proper products, suitable for your skin texture, every night to promote a healthier complexion; ultimately giving yourself a GORGEOUS natural look we all love and desire!

Beauty habits don’t have to feel like just another chore. There are ways we can enjoy taking off our makeup and cleansing our skin.

What to Cleanse With?

Closeup photo of woman splashing water onto her face

Start with warm water, clean hands, or a clean washcloth. The steam and warmth of the water is not only relaxing but great for your opening up your pores; ensuring you get a really good deep clean!

For a more sensitive skin type, try a water-based makeup remover first. Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water (Sephora Clean $14) would be a great option for the whole face including the eyes!

I’m always okay with skipping a step if I can!

But, that pesky mascara is hard to get off and you’re supposed to be feeling relaxed. Right?

Try an oil-based cleanser that also has the “Sephora Clean” stamp of approval. Having a product enriched with vitamins and minerals will help with age spots and scarring. The Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil can brighten your complexion while rinsing away all the surface debris. Plus, it’s vegan!

Don’t forget... using toner for any extra cleansing will help with heavier products or sunscreen. Just a quick swipe with the trick I explained earlier and move on to the next step in your routine!

Replenish the Moisture!

Photo of woman applying moisturizer to her facial skin

Moisturizer is one of the best beauty habits you can have in your repertoire for your skin. Your skin needs it... it wants it... it’s... well... important!

Adding this step to your makeup removing routine is vital to replenishing the healthiness and elasticity to your skin. Even if you have an oily skin texture, this step can NOT be left out. Find a product that works best for you.

Origins Plantscription SPF 25 Power Anti-Aging Oil-Free Cream (“Sephora Clean” $64) works great for oily or combination skin to give a more youthful appearance aiding in elasticity and moisture correcting.

For the dry textured folks, like myself, a heavier moisturizing cream will feel smooth and deeply nourishing! Belief The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb (“Sephora Clean” standard size $38) will help with the dullness, dryness, and uneven textures of your skin. Not to mention, you’ll feel extremely hydrated!

Extra Beauty Habits You Can Add

Photo of woman wearing a face mask and cucumbers on eyes

After you fall into the habit of clean, wash, tone, and moisturize, feel free to add some other splendid beauty habits to your regimen! Some examples might be:

  • Eye Cream
  • Face Mask
  • Face Scrub
  • Split your moisturizer into two (daytime/night cream)
  • Facial Polisher (Peel)

All Said and Done

Removing your makeup without wipes may seem like a lot of steps when the day is over and you’re tired but, your skin will thank you for not taking any short cuts! Treat your skin with the proper beauty habits and the results will speak for themselves. All important work takes time! Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Remember that bubble bath and glass of wine you poured earlier? Well, go ahead, hop on in and relax; now that you’ve established your makeup removing routine enjoy some “spa-like” treatment! You’ve earned it!

Photo of assorted skincare with quote from Erno Lazlo

Tell us What You Think!

What specific beauty habit would you like to incorporate into your cleansing routine and learn more about?


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