Although wipes are a staple for many, they remain the subject of numerous heated debates in the beauty industry. For starters, some contain chemicals that cause skin irritation, given that you’re using them to wipe your face. On the other hand, there’s also the issue of the damage they do to the environment.
Have you ever stopped to think about what happens to makeup remover wipes after you use them? According to an article on the FDA website, disposable wipes are made from materials like cotton, polyester, rayon fibers, and polypropylene. These products are not biodegradable, so, more often than not, they all end up in landfills, which contribute to pollution.
However, most people aren’t aware that there are more environmentally-friendly alternatives out there. We did our homework to bring you the best 7 washable and eco-friendly makeup removers in the market.
1. Best Washable and Eco-Friendly Makeup Remover Overall
For most people, the one thing they hate about having to wear makeup is taking it off. It’s one of those things you’d rather skip but can’t afford to because the consequences could be dire for your facial health.
Going through an entire makeup removal routine after you’ve had a long day at work or after getting home from a big night out can be a major pain when you’re exhausted. But having to deal with the breakouts that result from clogged pores because you chose to skip this critical process is a high price to pay that quite frankly just isn’t worth it.
The makers of Erase Your Face cloths by Daniel Creations must have had this in mind when they came up with this brilliant reusable makeup remover. It has the uncanny ability to remove makeup with just warm water. It sounds too good to be true, right? But it is and works like a charm.
It has tiny microfibers, which, when wet with warm water, can attach to makeup and lift it off the skin surface. Since the microfibers are minute, they can pick up even the tiniest dirt and makeup particles to give your face a thorough cleanse. When you’re through with it, all you have to do is toss it in the washer to get it clean.
Features
- Made from 100% polyester
- Reusable
- No synthetic fragrances
- Chemical-free
- Machine-washable
- 4-piece set
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.8 x 8.5 inches
Pros
- Exfoliates
- Zero waste
- Antibacterial
- Long-lasting
- Saves money
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Reusable
Cons
- Needs regular washing
- Might require the use of a stain remover to remove stubborn makeup stains
- Texture changes when used with a stain remover
2. Best Reusable and Eco-Friendly Makeup Remover for Exfoliating
Exfoliating is arguably the most important step in any skincare routine. It feels like hitting the reset button on your skin cells. There’s something quite refreshing about the process; it almost feels like you’re getting your skin and complexion back to its natural state.
The Organic Cotton Facial Cleansing Cloth is a great washable makeup remover that also works like a charm to get rid of dead skin cells and open up clogged pores that might have makeup residue. So, you’ll essentially be getting rid of makeup and exfoliating your skin at the same time.
It is made from 100% organic cotton muslin that will gently scrub your face without leaving it raw when applying makeup the next day. When combined with your favorite go-to cleanser, it is quite effective in removing stubborn eye makeup, which can be a challenge when using regular wipes.
Features
- Made from 100% organic cotton muslin
- Reusable
- No synthetic fragrances
- Chemical-free
- Machine-washable
- 10-piece set
- Dimensions: 11 x 11.5 inches
Pros
- Exfoliates
- Zero waste
- Antibacterial
- Long-lasting
- Saves money
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Reusable
Cons
- Needs regular washing
- Might require the use of a stain remover to remove stubborn makeup stains
- The texture becomes rough when used with a stain remover
3. Best Reusable and Eco-Friendly Makeup Remover for Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, then you know just how much of a nightmare your cleansing routine can turn out to be. Using wipes is even worse, given the high concentrations of cleansing ingredients they have. If that’s not enough, the residue they leave behind brings on irritation, itchiness, dryness, and overall sensitivity, which could give rise to a host of other skin conditions.
That’s the reason why dermatologists recommend using washable makeup removers in place of makeup wipes. The Makeup Mitty from Take My Face Off was specially designed for people who have sensitive skin that is prone to inflammation. It has tiny microfibers that give it a soft light texture. It almost feels like you’re rubbing a soft fluffy teddy bear on your face.
It’s so gentle it could lull you to sleep. It has a pointed end that allows you to easily access those hard to reach tight spots around your eye to remove mascara, eye-liner, highlighter, and eye-shadow. For best results, combine this Makeup Mitty with your favorite natural cleanser to get all traces of makeup residue out.
Features
- Made from 100% polyester
- Reusable
- No synthetic fragrances
- Chemical-free
- Machine-washable
- Dimensions: 0.1 x 3.2 x 5 inches
- Price: $14.00
Pros
- Exfoliates
- Zero waste
- Antibacterial
- Long-lasting
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Reusable
Cons
- Needs regular washing
- Might require the use of a stain remover to remove stubborn makeup stains
- The texture becomes rough when used with a stain remover
- Slightly pricey
4. Best Reusable and Eco-Friendly Makeup Remover for Waterproof Mascara
Most makeup is chock-full of copolymers and silicone – the two ingredients that give it, its staying power. That’s where cleansers come into play. If you have heavy makeup on, natural oil-based cleansers dissolve the makeup allowing you to wipe it off. Regular cleansers work in the same way to dissolve light makeup.
Makeup removers work on the principle that “like dissolves like.” So, if you have on waterproof mascara, it can be quite an uphill task to use plain water to get it off. Nugilla however designed a Makeup Remover Cloth that when used with water can get rid of even the heaviest waterproof makeup.
They’re designed with tiny microfibers made from 100% polyester, which, when combined with warm water and applied on the face dissolve the makeup into an emulsion that is easily wiped off by the cloth. This includes dissolving waterproof mascara too. You don’t even need to combine it with a cleanser. The material is machine washable and doesn’t contain toxic chemicals or synthetic fragrances in its making.
Features
- Made from 100% polyester
- Reusable
- No synthetic fragrances
- Chemical-free
- Machine-washable
- 5-piece pack
- Dimensions: 7.25 x15.5 inches
Pros
- Exfoliates
- Zero waste
- Antibacterial
- Long-lasting
- Saves money
- Works with sensitive skin
- Eco-friendly since it is reusable
Cons
- Needs regular washing
- Might require the use of a stain remover to remove stubborn makeup stains
- The texture becomes rough when used with a stain remover
5. Best Reusable and Eco-Friendly Makeup Remover for Acne
Imagine the feeling of having a plush cotton towel sweeping over your face to remove your makeup. That’s exactly what using DaskFire Reusable Cotton Makeup Remover Towelettes feel like. They offer a gentle, effective, and planet-friendly way of removing your makeup. Each one is made from 100% cotton and can be used over and over again.
When you need to clean them, just throw them in the washer with your other towels. They are durable, so you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged during the washing and tumble-drying process. Its texture is perfect for getting lipstick out of the tiny crevices in your lips as well as scrubbing off mascara from your lashes.
You don’t even need a liquid makeup remover to do it. It is effective on its own. Their texture makes them perfect for exfoliation to get rid of dead skin cells and remove all traces of makeup residue from your pores that could potentially make any acne condition worse.
Features
- Made from 100% cotton
- Reusable
- No synthetic fragrances
- Chemical-free
- Machine-washable
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 0.6 inches
- 3-piece pack
Pros
- Exfoliates
- Zero waste
- Antibacterial
- Long-lasting
- Saves money
- Works with sensitive skin
- Reusable
Cons
- Needs regular washing
- Might require the use of a stain remover to remove stubborn makeup stains
6. Best Washable and Eco-Friendly Cleansing Brush
Cleansing brushes are currently sweeping the nation and with good reason. They are based on the same technology as electric toothbrushes, only that they are designed for your skin.
Most cleansing brushes have two primary motions that they operate with. First, are pulsations that work to break up the makeup and dirt on the skin. Second are rotations that sweep away the loose makeup, dirt, and dead skin cells emulsion on the surface of the face leaving it clean, smooth, and soft.
According to most dermatological experts, cleansing brushes are more effective in removing makeup than using any other technique that relies on wipes. The Facial Cleansing Brush from Clsevxy works well to remove all traces of makeup when used with a natural foam cleanser. You can adjust between the different levels of intensity depending on the amount of makeup you had on.
It gently exfoliates and cleanses, leaving your skin smooth and supple. If you have sensitive skin, you don’t have to worry about irritation. The bristles on the brush are gentle enough to get the job done without causing any harm or irritation to your skin. It is cordless and is powered by two AA batteries. The brush head is detachable which makes it easy to immerse the bristles in warm soapy water to get them clean.
Features
- 4 brush heads included in the purchase (Soft, Exfoliating, Silicone, Massage)
- Reusable
- Waterproof
- AA Battery-powered
- Cordless
- 1-year money-back guarantee
- Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.5 x 3 inches
Pros
- Exfoliates and massages
- Zero waste
- Long-lasting
- Saves money in the long run
- Works with all skin types
- Eco-friendly since it is reusable
Cons
- None
7. Best Washable Eco-Friendly Makeup Remover for Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, the ingredients from conventional makeup removers may clog your pores and increase oil buildup. It is also likely that you are using makeup that’s specially formulated for oily skin to add to its staying power. As a result, you’ll need a lot more than a splash of water to get it out.
Using materials that are abrasive on the skin means that you could essentially be rubbing makeup residue, dirt, and bacteria deeper into your skin. You want a product that is gentle yet effective in cleansing your pores without damaging your skin. The Face Makeup Remover Microfiber Cloths from Hopeshine are specially designed for oily skin.
Its plush microfibers gently take off all traces of makeup, leaving your skin squeaky clean and refreshed. It exfoliates deep into the pores without injuring the skin. Each pack comes with six high-quality face towels that are also great for sensitive skin.
Features
- Made from 100% plush polyester
- Reusable
- No synthetic fragrances
- Chemical-free
- Machine-washable
- 6-piece pack
- Dimensions: 12 x 12 inches
Pros
- Exfoliates
- Zero waste
- Antibacterial
- Long-lasting
- Saves money
- Works with sensitive skin
- Reusable
- Great value for money
Cons
- Needs regular washing
- Might require the use of a stain remover to remove stubborn makeup stains
- The texture becomes rough when used with a stain remover
Safe for You and the Planet
You’re probably wondering: Are reusable makeup removers the same as regular washcloths? To answer this question, consider this: Have you ever tried to remove makeup stains from a white face towel? It’s darn near impossible. So, no – reusable makeup removers are not the same as washcloths.
They work just as effectively as regular makeup wipes only you can wash them and easily get all that makeup grime off. The best part about them is that you can be certain that they are 100% chemical-free and safe for the planet. Be sure to follow them up with a proper cleanser to make sure you’re not leaving any pore-clogging debris behind.
Need to exfoliate? Check out our blog for our top picks for natural and eco-friendly scrubs for a glowing face and body.
If you happen to have any questions about our picks, feel free to reach out to us on Facebook and we’d be happy to discuss it more.
Updated: January 16 2020
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