The best makeup wipes for keeping your skin and the planet clean
For many, makeup removal wipes are a convenient and disposable alternative to your traditional cleanser and flannel combo. On the flip-side, they have a disastrous effect on the environment. During the 2017 Great British Beach Clean, the Marine Conservation Society found on average over 27 wet wipes per 100m of beach. Makeup wipes are often made from polyester, they are neither biodegradable or recyclable and make up a large percentage of landfill waste nationwide.
If you can’t quite bear to part with yours, we’ve collected seven biodegradable alternatives so you don’t have to. Hassle-free, guilt-free, waste-free (mostly).
Yes To
£3.99, Boots
US brand Yes To prides itself on using at least 95% natural ingredients in all its skincare. The company packages its products with recycled materials only to “keep mama earth happy” and, to top it off, Yes To works with Beauty Banks in the UK to provide aid to those living in poverty. Yes To’s face wipes are compostable, cruelty-free and they’ve won awards from both OK! And Allure magazine. The company offers wipes for different skin types, including the Yes To cucumbers hypoallergenic wipes for sensitive skin.
The Body Shop
£6.00, The Body Shop
Cruelty-free since 1989, all of The Body Shop’s products are vegetarian and an impressive half are vegan. The company’s tea tree face wipes are 100% biodegradable and their ‘community trade’ tea tree oil supports local people in Kenya (where The Body Shop sources the oil). The Body Shop’s tea tree range is aimed at people with oily or acne-prone skin. The wipes claim to remove “makeup, impurities and excess oil” and retail at £6.00 for 25 wipes.
Beauty Kitchen
£6.00, Holland and Barrett
Beauty Kitchen is boldy trying to make its products the most natural and environmentally friendly in the world. Everything the brand does, from ingredients to packaging, is driven by sustainability and the majority of the new seahorse plankton+ range is entirely plastic-free and refillable. Beauty Kitchen’s face wipes are all compostable (except for the outer packaging) and vegan friendly. The company offers wipes for all skin types including ‘free from’ wipes for sensitive skin and absynnian oil ones for those in need of a little extra hydration. Beauty Kitchen wipes can be found in Holland and Barrett and cost around the £6.00 mark for a pack of 30.
Simple
£4.00, Tesco
All about gentle ingredients and caring for sensitive skin, Simple skincare products are likely already on your radar. Simple aims to make sure they are ‘committing to kindness, always’, in keeping with this commitment, the renowned brand has now introduced biodegradable face wipes. For those who used Simple wipes previously, the company claims the new kinder wipes are still “the wipes you know and love” but that these biodegradable alternatives will break down within 42 days. Simple biodegradable wipes are available in Tesco supermarkets and, at their full price, cost £4.00 for 25 – though they’re on offer at £2.00 until 9 April 2019.
Bioderma
£7.10, Boots
One for the skincare addicts – if you’re a fan of French pharmaceuticals, then you’ll love Bioderma. Bioderma’s face wipes are an on the go fix for the company’s cult micellar water, Sensibio H2O. The wipes are soaked in the solution and, just like the original product, they gently remove makeup and cleanse without irritating the skin. The company focuses on being leading skincare experts (the brand has been going since the 1970s), so Bioderma products are great for those with sensitive skin. The Sensibio face wipes come in packs of 25 and are now available in Boots, they retail at £7.10 but if you’re looking to stock up on skincare then keep an eye out for 3 for 2 offers.
Josie Maran
Run by the actress herself, the Josie Maran brand puts a focus on achieving the best results for your skin and being as natural as possible while doing it. Argan oil is a staple in Josie’s products, all of which are cruelty-free. The brand’s Bear Naked wipes are actually vegan as well as cruelty-free and, with every pack sold, the company donates a portion of its sales to the NRDC’s Polar Bear SOS initiative – it’s a win win win. For the skincare nerds out there, these wipes are thankfully mineral oil free; they’re infused with oil and they’re fragrance-free to cater for those with sensitive skin. These wipes do come at a bit of a premium if you’re in the UK but, if you’re looking to treat yourself, you can get hold of them at londonlovesbeauty.com for £25 (30 wipes).
Lancer
£33, look fantastic.com
Another premium brand, US-based company Lancer puts anti-aging first. Dermatologist Dr. Lancer recommends a minimalist three-step routine for his clients’ skin but, if you’re one for a full face of makeup, Lancer recommends a pre-cleanse with the brand’s makeup remover wipes. These biodegradable wipes are made from natural bamboo fibres and calming aloe and cucumber, they’re also oil-free for those with a combination/oily complexion. Lancer makeup remover wipes cost around £33 for 30 wipes on lookfantastic.com.
Of course, using a reusable face cloth should be your first choice, as most wipes (even biodegradable ones) end up in landfill. However, if you’re camping, at a festival or somewhere without readily available running water (in hospital or unable to move well) these are a much kinder alternative for our planet. If you have your own compost heap, the best way to dispose of your biodegradable wipes is in there.
