The answer: Both options are effective for removing makeup, dirt, and oil, says Green. That's because, unlike traditional cleansers, they don't require additional lathering and rinsing to rid the skin of built-up makeup, dirt, and debris. However, when it came time to remove my eye makeup, my mascara wouldn't budge. My skin was starting to break out like crazy, and I felt like a total masochist. When it comes to everyday use, what's better for your skin: face wipes or facial cleansers? I get it: Some people may find no issue at all with using a wipe daily, but for me, no matter what variation I've used—organic, chemical-free, etc.—I've always felt that my skin looked tired and/or broken out afterward; it's the difference between having good skin and skin I'm not happy with. "The wipes are certainly more convenient. Makeup wipes are single-use cloths soaked with facial cleanser and/or makeup remover to rid skin of the day's beauty products, not to mention any remnants of dirt or debris. In other words, I'll stick with my fancy cleanser from now on, thanks. Halfway through the experiment, I was so upset at how my skin was looking that I cheated. My self-imposed rule was that I would continue doing everything else as usual—cleanse first, then swipe on toner with a cotton ball, followed by moisturizer—so that the only variable I was testing would be the effectiveness of the face wipe. The answer is that it completely depends on the towelettes—and on the face wash you're used to as well. Makeup wipes are said to be the lazy girl's best beauty friend. She has contributed to Byrdie, as well as Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire, Allure, Vogue, and the New York Times, and more, This Is the Only Cleanser I Trust on My Dry, Acne-Prone Skin, They're often more affordable than traditional cleansers, They're considered to be all-around convenient. Plus, I was excited by the idea of shaving time off my nightly routine. But for the most part, no major regrets here. I did a ceramide treatment, I face-masked, and I applied acne cream. I found that I had to really rub at my eyes, and because I cringe at the idea of pinching my lashes with the wipes and wiggling the product off, I ended up sleeping with my mascara on that night. However, even with the best ingredients, face wipes still have the potential to irritate or cause breakouts, since you're not washing off the cleansing agents, emulsifiers and preservatives. The question: Sometimes it seems way too difficult to wash your face—especially when it's so easy to just grab a face wipe instead. Gross. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, How To Heal Chapped Lips, Once And For All, 11 Ways to Use Witch Hazel for Perfect Skin, The 25 Grossest Pimple-Popping Videos of All Time, The 20 Best Tinted Moisturizers For Glowy Skin, The 13 Best At-Home Waxing Kits For Smoother Skin, How To Get Rid Of Dark Spots, According To Derms, The 20 Best Acne Face Washes For Every Pimple. Is It Better to Wash Your Face in the Shower? I did notice some tiny blackheads on my cheeks, but all in all, it wasn't that bad. Awesome. Rachel is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Dermatology. But in reality, a cleanser with water probably works much better to actually clean your skin.". “Face wipes are inadequate cleansers as they tend to move dirt, bacteria or make-up around the face, instead of removing it.” Baby wipes are also used to remove make-up, but should also be avoided, says Dr. Rabia. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. The first night of using the wipe, I actually thought to myself that it might not be so bad. For the past quarter-century, I can happily say that I've followed this notion, save for maybe a brief run-in with a box of ultra-blonde hair color that I let my freshman-year roommate use on me. Most makeup wipes ring up between $7 and $10; however, there are some pricy options, like Koh Gen Do's Cleansing Spa Water Cloths ($59) that well surpass that. That is, until I offered myself up as a guinea pig for a story and said I'd wash my face using only makeup wipes for two weeks. Makeup wipes are single-use cloths soaked with facial cleanser and/or makeup remover to rid skin of the day's beauty products, not to mention any remnants of dirt or debris. How To Wash Your Face Without Wrecking Your Skin, How to Know If a Mask Will Mess with Your Skin BEFORE You Try It, The 15 Best Foam Cleansers For Super Clean Skin, 10 Things You Never Knew About Your Face Cleanser. MORE: The 10 Biggest Face-Washing Mistakes, Working Out Based On Your Menstrual Cycle Is Legit, 7 Pro Athletes’ Top Hair Hacks For Summer, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Instead, they're designed to wipe away the day's cosmetics with a single swipe, making them super convenient—especially for people who can't be bothered to put a little extra effort into their skincare routines. Why trust us? If your face feels a little filmy after you use them, it might mean it has an extra moisturizer packed in. That's why it's a good idea to rinse your skin with water after using a face wipe, if possible. Cleansing wipes are just as varied as traditional cleansers, so you should think about what makes a cleanser worthwhile or effective for you, then find a portable cloth version of that. I realize I'm being hyperbolic, but truly, if I could go back in time and un-pitch the story, I might consider it. I was already dreading the next 12 days. That's fine if you have dry skin, but stay away from those brands if you have acne-prone or oily skin, says Green. I did, however, continue using the face wipes every morning and night, just with the addition of my skin-saving auxiliaries. I wiped that morning, and again that night, and went to bed—albeit again with raccoon eyes—hoping for another case of good skin in the morning. That said, they're perfect to keep in your purse or gym bag to remove makeup before a workout or to whisk away sweat and oil on super-humid days. Is Sleeping in Your Makeup Really THAT Bad? To determine whether makeup wipes truly stand up to traditional cleansers, I stopped washing my face for two weeks in favor of cleansing with makeup wipes. My friends use them, friends of friends use them, my family uses them, and Olivia Holt told us she swears by them. I couldn't help it—I had events coming up and big weekend plans and needed to banish these blemishes fast. I've often heard the phrase, "Live life with no regrets." Joking aside, being able to use that honey-scented, balmy cleanser again felt so reaffirming and gratifying. When you do opt for a face wipe, pick a formula without dyes, perfumes, or artificial ingredients, says Green. “They often contain chemicals which should be avoided when cleansing skin on the face. I genuinely liked the idea of not having to hunch over a sink and wash my face, water dripping down my arms when it was chilly in my apartment—washing your face can be unpleasant when New York is freezing. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…. When I woke up and took a peek in the mirror, I was so disappointed. 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