There's a lot of contention around whether the best makeup remover wipes are our friend or foe. While the points of both the advocates and critics are valid, one thing is agreeable by all - they are versatile and a savior in many situations. For all those social butterflies and overtime workers, makeup remover wipes come in handy when all you want to do is crash on the bed and doze off. Because sleeping with makeup on is not only a cardinal sin in the world of skincare, it also greatly impact on the health of the skin. Makeup, dust and dirt might seep into the skin while you snooze and cause clogged pores or skin irritation. And that’s why effective makeup removal is essential. So for those days when using micellar water or a cleansing balm seems too tedious, the beauty makeup remover wipes is the easy way out.. These soft wipes effectively remove makeup and dirt from the face, that too without drying out the skin. 

Medical esthetician and skincare expert Cassandra Bankson clarifies, "If you don't have access to a shower, if you are hiking in the hills, or a bike ride, using a wipe is a really great way to remove some sweat. A makeup wipe can also be used before the gym as it's not a good idea to work with makeup on. They also come in handy when you are traveling." Thus, given the versatility of their use, by adults in many situations to children to give them a quick wipe during a playdate, these towelettes are what we reach out to.

There are many types of makeup remover wipes available in the market, from dry to pre-moistened, shaped like handkerchiefs to cotton pads, and so on. We have put together some of the best makeup remover wipes to make the decision easy on you. Read on the pros and cons to get better clarity.

• 1
  Best Overall

  OLAY 5-in-1 Clean Water-Activated Dry Cloths (Daily Hydrating)

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Boasting a soap-free formulation and infused with grapeseed extract, the Olay Water-Activated Dry Cloths are our among the highest rated makeup removing wipes. Loved by more than 16,000 consumers on Amazon, it delivers 5-in-1 benefits — of a makeup remover, a cleanser, a scrub, a mask, and a toner. You get a pack of 66 dry cloths that are convenient to carry without the risk of spoiling other items. To use it, dampen the cloth and massage to activate a soft lather before swiping on your skin. These wipes remove dirt, oil, and other residue while restoring the skin's natural hydration.

2

Best Alcohol-free Product

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Makeup Remover

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Specially formulated for sensitive skin types, these makeup remover wipes by Bioderma help prevent skin irritation by increasing its tolerance threshold. The infused formula in these wipes is lean and free of nasties such as parabens, harsh alcohols, and oil, so you can rest assured that you’re only getting the best for your skin. Additionally, the product is sublimely soothing and refreshing, particularly because it contains cucumber extracts that your skin loves. Besides, you’re going to love its cleansing benefits as it harnesses micro-droplets to deliver the best results. 

3

NEUTROGENA Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes

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We all love a makeup remover wipe that cuts through SPF and this product is perfect for the same. The Neutrogena Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes are pre-moistened with a micellar-infused, triple-emollient formula — ensuring deep-cleansing your skin while also softening, and conditioning it. The solution dissolves seamlessly to break through makeup, dirt, and oil and cleanses the skin to reveal a refreshed complexion. Tested by ophthalmologists and dermatologists for allergies, these are among the best makeup remover wipes as they are made with 100% plant-based fibers. Additionally, they are free from artificial dyes, soaps, and other toxins.

4

Best Non-abrasive

CETAPHIL Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes

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Removing stubborn makeup like mascara and lipstick on the go becomes extremely easy and convenient with the Cetaphil Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes. Chamomile, aloe vera and green tea (1) (2) in the formula have a calming effect on the skin. Further, these wipes are very soft and non-abrasive on sensitive skin. As a dermatologist-recommended and a first-picked brand by many skincare experts, you don't have to worry about clogging your pores with these wipes. We can definitely see them making it to the list of the best drugstore makeup remover wipes.

5

Best Non-drying Formula

HONEST BEAUTY Makeup Remover Facial Wipes

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Jessica Alba's Honest Beauty Makeup Remover Facial Wipes are made to nourish and refresh the skin while removing dirt and other build-up. This gentle, fragrance-free formulation is safe for sensitive acne-prone skin. And if you deal with constant redness and dryness, you’ll be glad to know that these makeup wipes have been verified with a seal of acceptance by the National Eczema Association to help soothe the same. These are among the best makeup remover wipes for sensitive skin because they clean away waterproof makeup without inhibiting your pores — a safe choice for all skin types. Its non-drying formula features a sugar-derived surfactant and plant-based cloth material. Also, the product gets bonus points for not containing harsh ingredients such as parabens and phenoxyethanol.

6

Best Drugstore Pick

AMAZON BASICS Makeup Remover Wipes

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Available in two variants, original and night calming — the Amazon Basics Makeup Remover Wipes are excellent facial tissues for everyday use as they don't burn a hole in your pocket. Despite that, they're effective in cleansing, refreshing, and moisturizing the face. These makeup remover towelettes are devoid of harsh irritants like parabens. Along with that, they are pH balanced, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic. The icing on the cake is that these makeup wipes are made of plant-based fibers.

7

Best Oil-free Formula

AVEENO Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Wipes

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Aveeno Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Wipes is your savior for days when you don't feel like taking a shower, crash without cleaning your face after a busy night, or simply need a quick dose of refreshment when traveling. By leveraging the properties of moisture-rich soy extracts, these wipes help to even skin tone and texture while also removing oil, dirt, and makeup residues. Moreover, these wipes are plant-based and compostable. They are formulated to enhance your natural radiance and give you a lit-from-within glow. And based on our experience, we'd say they surely succeed in doing that job!

8

Best Vegan Find

Simple KIND TO SKIN Cleansing Wipes

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Simple is yet another loved and trusted brand for skincare, and the Simple Cleansing Wipes take the legacy forward.  After trying out this product, we won't shy away from giving it a nod of approval as it is perfect to pamper and mollycoddle your skin. Packed with triple-purified water, mild cleansers, and multivitamins, these clean makeup remover wipes get rid of impurities and excess oil from your skin without causing any irritation. In addition, they contain pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E, and glycerin to further nourish and replenish your skin barrier. Non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic — these can be safely used around delicate skin areas.

9

Best Travel Companion

LAY 5-in-1 Water-Activated Dry Cloths with aloe leaf extract

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Infused with aloe extracts, the gentle cleansing makeup remover wipes by Olay  to remove dirt, excess oil and even stubborn makeup. Additionally, they deliver the benefits of scrubbing, masking, and toning. We have found from using this product that these wipes are ideal to use when you are traveling. Once in contact with water, these wipes lather up and marvelously clean your face without leaving behind a residue. And since they are dry otherwise, you don’t have to worry about getting other items in your bag wet or fret about the formula evaporating.

10

Best Packaging

PACIFICA Glowing Makeup Removing Wipes

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Pacifica Glowing Makeup Removing Wipes come in beautiful, quirky, yet sturdy packaging that you can carry around in your everyday bag without worrying about leaks or spills. These refreshment and makeup remover wipes contain the purifying and anti-inflammatory benefits of glycolic acid, calendula, aloe vera, and coconut water (3) (4). These wipes nourish your skin and reveal a natural glow after cleaning out the dirt and impurities. Available in 3 rejuvenating variants, these wipes are formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, or mineral oil.

11

Best Value for Money

AESTHETICA Makeup Removing Wipes

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Along the lines of the more, the merrier, up next, we have the Aesthetica Makeup Removing Wipes, which offers 20% more wipes than other leading products. These non-oily makeup remover wipes are suitable for oily, dry, normal, and combination skin types. The formula is charged with antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera (5). Thus, while cleaning the face, these wipes also help to cool down the skin, reduce redness, and soothe irritation.

12

Skincare LdeL Cosmetics Retinol Cleansing Towelettes

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Skincare LdeL Cosmetics Retinol Cleansing Towelettes are specially formulated for mature skin. Infused with retinol, these anti-aging towelettes remove makeup and dirt while restoring skin health with the benefits of vitamin A (6). Through our trial and error, we discovered that these wipes are suitable to use for both day and night. As one of the best makeup wipes, they cleanse, tone, and hydrate your skin, prepping it to absorb your daily skincare products better. Other ingredients in these wipes consist of aloe vera, lactic acid, and potent plant and herb extracts — a blend targets fine lines and wrinkles, exfoliates and cleanses the skin, and improves the overall skin texture while moisturizing the skin.

13

EPIELLE Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes

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The Epielle Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes come in 6 refreshing variants such as green tea, cucumber, vitamin C, etc. These makeup wipes boast an oil-free formula, ensuring that they do not clog your pores. They consist of revitalizing extracts from natural ingredients that help clean out dirt, makeup, and other gunk from your skin, revealing a smooth surface. What’s great is that all skin types can use these towelettes. Plus, they are hypoallergenic and safe for contact lens wearers, as well. The pack includes 240 wipes at a reasonable price, so don’t wait for anything and add them to the cart already!

14

BODY PRESCRIPTIONS Facial Cleansing Wipes

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Cleanse, refresh, and tone your skin on the go with the makeup cleansing wipes by Body Prescriptions. Budget-friendly and effective, you can use these makeup wipes after your workout or middle of the day for a quick dose of refreshment apart from using them to remove dirt and makeup. They may not replace your facial cleanser but they are super soft and tender on the skin, thanks to the clean and calming ingredients and delicate cloth fibers. After putting it to the test, we have noticed that these wipes are rich in moisturizers, which helps with deep cleaning and removing excess oil from your skin. It is best for light makeup.

15

AMIIR Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes

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The AMIIR Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes are the perfect substitute to your good old cotton pads.  Known for effectively removing light to stubborn makeup, including waterproof mascara, these prove to be among the best micellar wipes you can find out there! You get 100 wipes in a tub packaging which is very convenient to travel with. Containing natural plant-based ingredients, these leave behind an refreshingly cool sensation on your skin accompanied with a pump of hydration. These wipes are designed for safe use by those with dry skin, oily skin, and even sensitive  skin types.

16

THE HONEST COMPANY Plant-based Wipes

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The Honest Company's Plant-Based Wipes are organic and clean makeup wipes that are safe for individuals with sensitive skin and children as well. Mindfully formulated, they are parabens-, phthalates-, alcohol-, chlorine-, and artificial fragrance-free. They come in two revitalizing and hydrating variants — sweet almond and aloe + cucumber. Slightly on the thicker side, these wipes are infused with 99% water, skin-nourishing ingredients, and natural scents to clean the skin, remove any greasy residue and keep it smelling fresh. With all these remarkable benefits, these had to make it to our list!

Now that you have looked at the pros and cons of these 15 best makeup remover wipes, it’s trial and error time! Because most of these are budget-friendly and wipes come in handy all times of the day, you can test our multiple brands to see which one you love the most. To help you make a shortlist, we’ve outlined the parameters to keep in mind when choosing makeup wipes. Scroll away and continue reading!

Skin type is the most significant aspect when selecting skincare products. Particularly when you have acne-prone or sensitive skin. In such cases, non-abrasive products that are enriched with skin-friendly and nourishing ingredients should be the utmost priority. That being said, when selecting the best makeup remover wipes, the quality and characteristics of the product itself determine its effectiveness. Let's see how.

Cleansing Ability

A makeup wipe is chiefly used to remove dirt and other impurities from the skin. However, those who wear makeup and use wipes to clean the face should reach out for a product that cuts through SPF, layers of foundation, and stubborn waterproof makeup like eyeliners and mascaras. A textured makeup wipe, therefore, is better in such cases as it provides a gentle exfoliation effect that cleans the makeup effectively. 

Skin type

Not all makeup remover wipes are suitable for all skin types. If you have dry skin, opt for wipes that have moisturising ingredients. On the other hand, oily skin types should steer clear from wipes that have heavy ingredients. It’s best to check the package for ingredients to ensure the composition does not irrirtate your skin.

Sustainability

While this is tricky to determine, there are many organic cotton wipes that you can choose over other synthetic ones. It’s best to ensure that what you are buying is biodegradable, easily recyclable, or at least causes minimal damage to the environment.

Fragrance

There are plenty of unscented beauty remover wipes that you can opt for. Some wipes also have mild fragrances which is okay to use. It’s however best to avoid heavily scented wipes as it may irrirate the skin.

Ingredients

Of course, we don't want harsh chemicals and toxins to penetrate our skin. While makeup wipes are basically cleansers, if you do not rinse (which is not mandatory), traces of the solution get deposited on your face. Therefore, choose towelettes that are free of parabens, alcohol, etc. Our contributor Dr. Vinod Vij, a dermatologist and plastic surgeon at Aesthetica Clinique, says, “When looking for cleansing agents in makeup remover wipes, it's important to avoid those that contain alcohols, such as ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. These can be drying and irritating to the skin, especially for those with sensitive or dry skin. Instead, look for wipes that use gentle cleansers such as micellar water, plant oils, or natural emollients like glycerin.” Many makeup wipes on our list are composed of plant-based ingredients, which are gentler and safer on the skin.

Formulation

Whether you choose a dry cloth makeup wipe or a pre-moistened one, read through its reviews! Find out if the wipes are non-irritating and non-drying. Choose non-abrasive facial wipes that leave the skin feeling clean and hydrated. Elements such as aloe vera and green tea help to soothe skin. Hence, be mindful of such components when choosing a makeup wipe.

Packaging

While some of us are regular users, the majority of the crowd uses facial wipes when traveling. This aspect brings into question the packaging of the product. You don't want the liquid to spill off a flimsy packaged box and spoil your belongings. Nor do you want air to come in contact with the wet wipe and dry it out. A tub or a sturdy lid, hence, is ideal.

It’s natural to look for expert view on any product that goes on the skin. Based on our observations and according to our research, we have found that the significant majority of dermatologists believe that makeup remover wipes can be used to remove makeup, oil, and grime, however, these should be used only if necessary. Although they are effetctive, most dermatologists feel that they should not replace your regular makeup removal routine.