Wake Up to Face Wipes

I want to start a face wipe revolution. Because, while I totally get how handy these make-up removers can be, they’re also my number one skincare sin.

Leaving convenience aside for a second, face wipes strip your skin of natural goodness. Your make-up might be gone, but so too is any moisture, leaving your complexion seriously lacking. And so, as someone who’s constantly trying to hydrate and moisturise, this product is an absolute no-no.

Not to mention they’re not actually as effective as they seem. Instead of cleaning properly, these wipes merely smear dirt and grime around your face. And all that scrubbing at your skin? This causes low-grade trauma, which over time can lead to a whole host of complaints. And for anyone concerned about premature aging – and let’s face it, who’s not – wipes are known to promote pigmentation and fine lines.

And then there’s the issue of what’s lurking in these things. Take a look at the ingredients on a packet of face wipes, and many read like an experiment in chemical warfare. Alcohol, preservatives, emulsifiers, solubilizers, surfactants – all of which are as harsh on your skin as they sound. The alcohol, especially, is in there to ensure your skin dries quickly, zapping natural oils which we desperately need. If though, you can’t live without an in-case-of-emergency packet, then micellar water wipes are a kinder alternative (Superdrug Micellar Facial Cleansing Wipes, £1.29).

Because I get it, I really do – especially during party season, we’re all looking for a quick way to get rid of make-up. Which is why, for the nights when my skincare regime seems like too much hard work, I keep cotton wool and eye-make remover by the side of my bed. Taking off your make-up this way is just as time-saving, not to mention a whole lot kinder to your skin. My golden rule when choosing a bedside make-up remover is that if it’s gentle enough to be used on your eyes, it’s OK for the rest of your face.

Aside from the havoc they wreak on your skin, wipes are also bad for the environment. This age of convenience, which includes face wipes, has terribly consequences when it comes to pollution. Especially when flushed, the non-biodegradable nature of these things mean they clog up our sewers and seas.

So, if you make only one New Year’s skincare resolution, make it ditching your face wipes for good. Your face, and the planet, will thank you for it. Here’s my top three make-up removers for any beauty budget:

1. Nivea Daily Essentials Extra Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover (£2.39 for 125ml, available at wwwBoots.co.uk)

Suitable for sensitive skin, and even contact wearers, this formula easily cuts through even the most stubborn make-up while conditioning your lashes, too.

2. Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion (£15 for 150ml, available at www.uk.lizearle.com)

Packed with natural ingredient such as hazel, aloe vera and corn flower, this lotion soothes and revitalises tired, puffy eyes. I love its non-oily consistency, too.

3. Perricone MD Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment (£36 for 118ml, available at perriconemd.co.uk)

I am obsessed with this stuff. Its no-rinse formula means it’s the perfect late night skincare solution. Containing salmon egg enzyme and copper, it traps and removes any pollutants, leaving my skin feeling cleaner and calmer.