5 Biodegradable Beauty Wipes That Are Better for the Environment
Kids these days, with their $15 retinol and beauty wipes, don't know how good they have it. Back in the day, when you wanted to remove your makeup you had to use (gasp!) face wash, but now you can wipe the day away with just one swipe of material. Convenient? Absolutely. Environmentally friendly? Well, it's complicated.
"While all wipes are disposable, that only means you can throw them away," said Eric Fallon, cofounder and CEO of the skincare brand Rebels Refinery. "However, if wipes aren't biodegradable, they won't break down in a landfill, and that contributes to environmental pollution." In fact, some synthetic makeup wipes can take years to break down — at the expense of ecosystems and oceans, both of which are plagued by plastic waste.
That ethical dilemma's enough to keep you up at night — and you just used a makeup wipe so you could go to bed in the first place. Luckily, there are plenty of biodegradable makeup wipes out there. Keep reading to see our favorites, and whatever you do, don't ever flush any of these options down the toilet. "That damages our sewer system, even if it says that you can flush it on the packaging," Fallon said.
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If you've got sensitive skin, look no further than this Klorane Make-Up Remover Biodegradable Wipes with Soothing Cornflower ($13). It's fragrance-free, contains vitamin E, and isn't oily, so it will keep even the shiniest complexions clear and matte.
Klorane Make-Up Remover Biodegradable Wipes with Soothing Cornflower $13 from dermstore.com Buy Now
The whole point of makeup wipes is that they're supposed to be convenient — so if yours isn't getting off even the toughest cat eye, kick it to the curb. This Paula's Choice Gentle Cleansing Cloths ($11) can whittle down a full-glam look, but it won't chap away your skin, too.
Paula's Choice Gentle Cleansing Cloths $11 from paulaschoice.com Buy Now
In theory, all wipes help to reduce acne, since sleeping with makeup on is one of the main culprits of a surprise pimple. That said, these Yes to Tomatoes Blemish Clearing Facial Wipes ($4) work really well on acne-prone skin, as tomato helps keep oil production in check.
Yes to Tomatoes Blemish Clearing Facial Wipes $4 from target.com Buy Now
According to Fallon, these Rebels Refinery Dirty Boy Bamboo Wipes ($6) take less than a month to decompose. These aren't makeup wipes per se; they're meant for "grooming." Slide one over your face post-workout to get rid of sweat, or use in tandem with your favorite cleanser to get squeaky clean before bed.
Rebels Refinery Dirty Boy Bamboo Wipes $6 from target.com Buy Now
Not only do these Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes ($5) scrub away dirt and foundation, but the wipes also help exfoliate the top layer of your skin, to keep things extra kosher.
Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes $5 from target.com Buy Now
