The 5 Best Makeup Remover Wipes

It's so important to properly cleanse your skin before bedtime. Not to alarm you, but leaving your makeup on before you hit the sack can lead to acne, dull skin, and (horror of all horrors) premature aging. Yikes. Which is why one of the best things you can do to take care of your skin is to invest in quality makeup remover wipes. No, a makeup remover wipe alone isn't enough to get all the gunk and debris off your face. Rather, you should think of it as a crucial first step in your nighttime skincare routine (followed by your regular cleanser). Here are the five best makeup remover wipes, grouped by category.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Facial Cleansing Towelettes

Undeniably the best

With Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes, makeup removal is easy, gentle, and thorough.

Best Overall

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For the best makeup remover wipes that money can buy, look no further than Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Towelettes. This 25-count pack of pre-moistened wipes is a must-have if you want to gently, thoroughly remove every last trace of makeup, dirt, and grime off your face before bedtime. In fact, these wipes remove a whopping 99 percent of all makeup, including waterproof mascara and other stubborn products. The alcohol-free formula is gentle on the skin, and you may even notice a healthy glow after using these.

Pros:

These wipes remove 99 percent of all makeup, even waterproof mascara.
Designed to remove eye makeup, unlike some other makeup remover wipes.
Alcohol-free formula is gentle, hydrating, and leaves a slight glow.
Accessible price point; can be found at any drugstore.

Cons:

If you use a serum with acids or a retinol-based product at night, you’ll need to wait to apply it at least five minutes after using these wipes, to avoid causing irritation.

Olay Daily Facial Wipes for Sensitive Skin

Say goodbye to irritation

If your skin is easily inflamed or irritated, there's no better makeup remover wipe to try than Olay Daily Facials for Sensitive Skin.

Best for Sensitive Skin

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For those times when you can’t bear to double-cleanse, or spend any time at all washing your face for that matter, Olay Daily Facial Wipes are the perfect cleansing tool. These facial cloths are awesome at dissolving makeup and removing dirt and grime; all you have to do lather up with a little bit of water and gently swipe these over your face, and your skin will be left squeaky-clean. Best of all, the formula is designed to be nourishing, hydrating, and well-suited for sensitive skin types.

Pros:

Strong enough to remove makeup, but soft and gentle enough for all skin types—including, crucially, sensitive skin.
Nourishing, hydrating formula that includes aloe leaf extract.
Pocket-sized.
The cloth texture is super-soft, so they won’t tug or rub at the skin.

Cons:

These are water-activated, meaning that you need to lather up with a little bit of water in order to cleanse; so, they’re not ideal for travel.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths

Accessible and affordable

Sometimes, a simple drugstore purchase is the best; that's definitely the case with Cetaphil Cleansing Cloths.

Best Drugstore Option

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Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths are everyone’s favorite drugstore facial wipes, for good reason. They’re wonderfully effective at removing makeup and dirt, but the soap-free formula won’t strip your skin of its natural oils—in other words, skin feels clean, refreshed, and balanced after cleansing, but not tight or uncomfortable. These cloths are non-comedogenic (which means they won’t clog pores), fragrance-free, and dermatologist-approved and recommended.

Pros:

Very gentle, mild formula, yet highly effective at removing dirt and makeup.
Skin feels clean and balanced, but not stripped of its natural oils.
Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores).
Ideal for sensitive skin.
You have four size options.

Cons:

The wipe is just a little too small.

DUDE Face & Body Wipes

Because men deserve to have clean skin, too

Effective and dude-friendly, these natural, unscented wipes are great for the man in your life.

Best for Men

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Who says men don’t need clean skin? DUDE Face & Body Wipes get the job done, effectively removing dirt, oil, and debris in one step. Crucially, these wipes are natural, unscented, alcohol-free, and suitable for sensitive skin types. Plus, they’re also infused with sea salt and aloe, both of which help to moisturize and repair skin. They’re multipurpose, too: Use these wipes to cleanse at night, to freshen up after a workout, or to soothe the skin after shaving.

Pros:

Effectively removes dirt and oil in one step.
Natural, unscented formula that’s also alcohol-free, hypoallergenic and mostly water- and plant-based.
A great way to cleanse at night, or just to freshen up after shaving or a sweaty workout.

Cons:

They could stand to be a little more moistened.

Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes for Sensitive Skin

No harmful fragrances allowed

Sensitive skin types will love these Burt's Bees wipes, which are delightfully fragrance-free.

Best Fragrance-Free

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Note to self: Any skincare product (especially a cleansing product) that has a strong fragrance probably isn’t the best thing to be putting on your face. Which is why Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes are so beloved by skincare addicts everywhere. These gentle wipes cleanse, rejuvenate, and revitalize the skin, but thanks to the fragrance-free, protein-rich formula, they’re not irritating or pore-clogging. You may notice that your face looks and feels softer, too, which is always a plus.

Pros:

Fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and specially crafted for sensitive skin.
Formula includes cotton, rice extracts, and aloe; it’s extra-gentle but still great at removing all of the dirt, oil, and grime that can clog your pores.
Face feels noticeably softer after using.
Burt’s Bees makes several other types of facial wipes you can choose from, like White Tea (for normal skin) and Cucumber and Sage (for normal to dry skin).

Cons:

Not cheap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a right way to use makeup remover wipes?

Yes. Make sure that you’re gently wiping your face, not tugging or pulling at your skin. It’s also important to rub from the outside in, so that you don’t spread the bacteria that’s on your face. Finally, be sure to spend extra time on the T-zone (chin, nose, forehead), as this is where the most grime and oil tends to accumulate.

Can I get away with just using makeup remover wipes to cleanse my skin at night?

In short: No. A wipe is just the first step in your nighttime routine; you should follow it up with either an oil cleanser or foaming face wash to make sure your face gets squeaky-clean.

Are makeup remover wipes good for all skin types?

Yes. If you have particularly sensitive skin, though, you’ll probably want to get wipes that are specially formulated for sensitive skin types.