Makeup Wipes vs. Facial Cleanser — What Should You Use to Remove Makeup?

There’s no one-size-fits-all way to adequately wash your face. Some people prefer gentle foaming cleansers while others like cleansing balms. As for me, I’m team makeup wipe — not only to remove my makeup, but also to clean away the grime from the day. Trust me, I know my favorite cleansing method makes devout skincare lovers cringe — especially Makeup.com Associate Editor Ariel. She has been loyal to one specific cleanser for almost a decade. Can she convince me to get on the cleanser train? Keep reading to find out, and decide for yourself which cleansing method is the best. 

The Argument for Makeup Wipes

“Listen, I know my opinion isn’t the most popular, but 99% of the time I will grab a makeup wipe to cleanse my face at the end of the night. I’m not anti-cleanser,  but my face wash is reserved for when I’m in the shower so I don’t make a mess at the sink. You can call me lazy, but I feel like makeup wipes really get the job done and leave my dry skin feeling just as clean and fresh as when I use a cleanser. 

Some people may argue that only using a makeup wipe is a recipe for breakouts, but blemishes rarely crop up on my face — If they do, it’s usually hormonal and is isolated to my chin area. My one gripe with makeup wipes is how dry they can make my skin feel, but the key to avoiding that parched skin feeling is finding wipes with hydrating properties, like the CeraVe Hydrating Makeup Removing Plant-Based Wipes. Not only are these super gentle, but they dissolve even the most stubborn makeup while leaving my skin refreshed and most importantly hydrated. Plus, I appreciate that these wipes are biodegradable so I feel good knowing that I’m not negatively impacting the environment (or my skin!) when I use them.” — Mary Honkus, Associate Editor