Best Makeup Removing Wipes for Sensitive Skin
As much as I don’t recommend using just wipes for removing your makeup at night, it’s still a better option than sleeping in your makeup or simply splashing your face with water and calling it a day. There are plenty of situations when using a makeup removing wipe instead of the usual 2-, 3-, or whatever-step cleansing routine just makes more sense, too. They work especially well for traveling, going to the gym, or for those nights when you have exactly two minutes to spend on your face before you crash, and not a second more. Been there, done that.
I don’t mind splurging on skincare, but wipes is one area where I genuinely prefer drugstore products. To me it’s like splurging on cotton rounds: some people like the nicer ones from Chanel and Shiseido, but I am perfectly fine with whatever I pick up at the grocery store for a few bucks. It’s the actual formula of the solution that makes all the difference anyway. Problem is, it’s a lot harder to find wipes suitable for sensitive skin than it seems.
In general, my skin is not sensitive; I would even say it’s pretty resilient. However, for some reason it always reacts poorly to makeup removing wipes. It manifests in dry, itchy cheeks, and red, irritated outer corners of my eyes. Sometimes even products marked as suitable for sensitive skin give me trouble [I’m looking at you, Neutrogena]. Skincare is so YMMV, am I right?
One of the products I’ve been using religiously over the past few months is Garnier SkinActive Micellar Waterproof Makeup Removing Towelettes ($6.99). These soft wipes are soaked in SkinActive Micellar water, which is also amazing if you are looking for a gentle fragrance-free makeup remover suitable for sensitive eyes and lips. Waterproof mascara? Gone. Lip stain? Poof! Long-lasting eyeliner or foundation? Cya!
Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Isohexadecane, Dicaprylyl Ether, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Laurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Propylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate.
I also like Derma E Hydrating Facial Wipes ($6.99), which is a more recent discovery. I was so hung up on Garnier that I didn’t even consider trying any other brands anymore. Garnier wipes are really good at removing makeup, but they don’t offer any skin-caring properties. Derma E wipes are infused with Hyaluronic Acid and botanical extracts to soothe the skin and keep it hydrated while cleansing. The cleansing solution is extremely gentle and will not work for waterproof formulas, but I had no issues removing regular makeup. It also makes my skin feel so soft!
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Betaine, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glycerin, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Powder Extract, Aristotelia Chinensis (Maqui Berry) Fruit Juice, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Carya Ovata (Shagbark Hickory) Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Dilauryl Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Natural Fragrance.
Over the years I tried lots of different types of wipes, some were cheaper, and others more luxurious. Truth is, there isn’t that much difference between them, although the pricier ones usually tend to be a little softer, because they are made with more premium materials. But no matter which wipes you use, always remember to wash your face with plain water afterward. Do this after using micellar water too, even if the packaging says otherwise. Cleansing products are meant to dissolve oil and dirt, and if you leave them on the skin for too long, they will start dissolving the skin’s natural protective oils, too, which can cause dryness and irritation.
Do you have favorite cleansing wipes? How often do you use them, if ever? Let me know in the comments below!
When I bought a package of the Garnier they felt so dry. One thing to remember is to seal the packages well or put them in a ziploc when not in use. Is the DermaE fragrance free?
Oh no, I wonder if the packaging had a mini-tear in it somewhere? I used up 3 of them so far and they were all very moist until the very last wipe.
Derma E contains natural fragrance.
I need to pick up those micellar wipes! I used the water with cotton swabs already, this would just be removing a step.
Removing a step is always a nice bonus, and saves time!
I use wipes too but I prefer cleansing oil, also from derma e
I also like using a cleansing oil, the one from Derma E is very lovely. Wipes are a great way to cleanse the skin in a rush or when i am too tired for skincare.
I can’t imagine why, but lately I’m having a hard time with those Garnier wipes. They’re burning my eyelids. My skin isn’t sensitive at all but my lids are sure acting like it with those wipes.
Oh I wonder what causes it? These wipes are among the very few that don’t cause my eyes to sting. Normally I can’t tolerate even everybody’s favorite Neutrogena wipes.
ILL Have to keep these in mind when I need some!
Happy to share!
I have tried lots of brands of makeup wipes, but I always go back to Simple brand wipes. My skin never feels dry afterwards.
Simple brand wipes didn’t work for me for makeup removal unfortunately, they even struggled with non-waterproof formulas.
I love makeup wipes. I used to only use MAC but now I’m all about the micellar wipes!
Micellar wipes are so good! Can’t believe how affordable they are too.
I’ve never tried these, but the micellar wipes sound nice. I always use the regular Neutrogena wipes and haven’t really had issues with them. Once in awhile my eyes will feel a little irritated if I would use like 2 wipes in a day, but usually I don’t have problems.
I had to switch to these from the Neutrogena wipes, because they always caused my eyes to burn and itch. I must be sensitive to the ingredients.
Wipes .. Must needed for sensitive skin..I have always lived in humid place .. Can never think of going out with wet tissues in my bag..Thanks for the info of washing place afterwards ..Never done that before
Yes! Wipes are great for keeping the skin fresh in a humid environment.
I love the idea of those HA wipes!
They feel very soothing.
I love wipes when I’m on vacation!
Likewise! I don’t normally spend a lot of time on skincare when I’m on vacay 🙂
I have zero brand loyalty when it comes to wipes, although there are many I have tried and now avoid since my face is sensitive. My favorite wipes have ended up being a pack of disposable facial cloths from Mary Kay, of all places! I would cut them in half and soak them with my micellar water to remove my makeup.
Wow, Mary Kay, really? I don’t think I used anything from them in years. Always loved their signature pale pink packaging though 🙂
Great review. I always take these with me when traveling.
Thank you! I agree, wipes come in handy when traveling.
I have been thinking about using Micellar water to remove my makeup, I currently use cleansing oil to wash my face which takes my makeup off, but am going to switch and these wipes seem to fit the bill.
I love Garnier too! Awesome review.
I havent used a makeup wipe in forever. Having sensitive skin always put me off.