7 Ways Makeup Wipes Can Damage Your Skin

Written by Indrani Karmakar, BA Hons  • 

Just when you thought makeup wipes were a God-sent product, you landed on this article! We know, it’s disappointing. However, if there is anything that can harm you rather than do good, you must know all about it before using it again on your body. After a long sweaty day, you might think it would be a relief to merely wipe your makeup off using a makeup wipe, but STOP!! Applying makeup wipes regularly can cause severe harm to your skin and host several other skin issues. We discovered some ways in which makeup wipes are harmful to the skin. Read on to know them all.

1. It May Cause Dry Skin

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Makeup can be easily removed using wet wipes, but the alcohol in them also removes the skin’s natural oils along with your makeup. Dryness & skin flakes result from a lack of moisture. Despite this, the residue these wipes leave behind makes your skin less receptive to moisture. They don’t have the desired effect when used with a moisturizer applied afterward.

2. It May Lead To Allergic Reactions

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Several people have allergic responses after using wet wipes. Although mild responses like redness & pigmentation are typical, severe ones are also possible. If you want to use wipes on your face, it’s best to do some research on the brand and product you use, and also do a patch test before bringing anything near your face.

3. They May Cause Blocked Pores

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Although face wipes are often used to remove grime, oil, makeup, etc., few people realize that they actually only move the problem around. This can cause acne and blocked pores which will only trigger your skin for more acne and breakouts. Make sure you wash your face with a mild face wash and use a toner and moisturizer even if you use makeup wipes to remove the top layer of makeup.

4. It May Cause Skin Cancer

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Did you really think wet wipes are wet because of water? Nope! In reality, the “wet” in wet wipes consists of chemicals and preservatives that may wreak havoc on your skin. Due to their estrogen-like qualities, parabens have been linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Even though we don’t want to think about the worst, it’s best to check the contents of the product before using it on your skin directly.

5. It May Speed Up Aging

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The use of makeup wipes might hasten the skin aging process. You can also damage your skin by rubbing too harshly with a face wipe, which can lead to premature aging signs including wrinkles, loose skin, and discoloration. Make sure you remove the makeup gently by using cleaning products and not rubbing it out.

6. Your Face May Not Be Properly Cleansed

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Makeup wipes often don’t do a good job of cleansing the face. To cover it up, they just smear dirt, germs, oil, and cosmetics around it. Makeup particles are dissolved, but that’s about it. It’s always important to give everything a good rinse. Water and a mild cleanser are the finest tools for removing makeup.

7. They May Allow Bacterias To Enter Your Skin

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The acid barrier is a thin layer of mildly acidic skin lipids on the skin. This extremely thin layer of human tissue serves to both retain moisture and keep out dirt and pollution. The acid mantle’s job is to keep harmful microorganisms at bay, so it’s easy to see why its upkeep is so important. If you use facial wipes too often to remove makeup, you may be damaging your acid mantle. Daily or frequent usage encourages an over-exfoliation cycle because even “gentle” makeup wipes include substances harsh enough to be classed as a “mechanical” exfoliant. This extra exfoliation may severely damage your acid mantle, regardless of whether you currently use a chemical or a physical exfoliator.

Makeup wipes leave a chemical solution on the skin that might cause a disruption in the skin’s pH if not rinsed off. The acid mantle, which protects your skin from environmental hazards, can’t do its job if you expose your skin to cold wind, bacteria, pollution, germs, and UV rays of the sun. You might think of this barrier as the skin’s bodyguard, keeping dangerous germs and pollutants out while allowing moisture in. So, that being said, how often do you cleanse your face using wipes? If you don’t use face wipes, what is your alternative routine for cleansing your face? Let us know in the comments section!

Sources

  1. CLEANSERS AND THEIR ROLE IN VARIOUS DERMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS, NCBI
  2. An Update of the Defensive Barrier Function of Skin, NCBI
  3. Skin anti-aging strategies, NCBI
  4. Minireview: Parabens Exposure and Breast Cancer, NCBI
  5. Rubbing the skin when removing makeup cosmetics is a major factor that worsens skin conditions in atopic dermatitis patients, NCBI
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