Make-up wipes are a versatile cleansing solution that help us to remove cosmetics and can even address some common skin complaints. However, as single-use wipes are incredibly damaging to the environment, many companies are now making the switch to more sustainable options. This is where biodegradable materials come in - wipes made from plant fibres will degrade entirely after their disposal without leaving a lasting mark on our planet.
With biodegradable wipes being a relatively new option, it can be difficult to work out which one will be right for you. So, we'll walk you through everything you need to consider before showcasing the top 10 eco-friendly options currently available at Amazon, eBay, and Boots from brilliant brands like Simple and Nivea. By the end of our article, you'll be sure to find a compostable makeup wipe that's perfect for you, your skin, and the planet!
Quick List - Top Biodegradable Makeup Wipes
The Cheeky Panda
Lightly Fragranced and Gentle Enough For All Skin Types
Yes To
The Only Little Black Wipe You'll Ever Need
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With so many different varieties of makeup wipes on offer, it can be difficult to know where to start when shopping. Biodegradable wipes, which are often made from ingredients that you’ve never heard of, tend to complicate things further. Luckily, our buying guide is here to break everything down into easily understandable steps!
If you’re passionate about sustainability and the environment, you'll probably appreciate knowing more about what goes into the products you buy and what makes a wipe biodegradable.
Unfortunately, the level of transparency varies between manufacturers - while some will explicitly state the biodegradable materials that they use, others are a little more covert and often just mention that they use "sustainable sources".
It goes without saying that if your trust in a product is based on transparency then you’ll want to opt for makeup wipes from a manufacturer that is happy to state exactly what their product is made from. Plant-based materials such as bamboo or wood pulp compost easily so these are a good bet and the most reputable brands use them.
The first thing you'll need to do is check that a wipe is suitable for your skin type, whether that's dry, oily, acne-prone, sensitive, or mature. The easiest method is to simply check the packaging or product description, but you can also look for words like "hydrating" or "moisturising" if you have dry skin, or "detoxifying" if you want to clear up a blemish-prone complexion.
Since many people experience skin sensitivity in some shape or form, most makeup wipes are labelled as suitable for those with sensitive skin. If your skin is particularly sensitive though, you may want to avoid certain ingredients.
Many makeup wipes contain certain chemicals that extend their shelf life and prevent them from drying up, while others have a pleasant perfumed smell that's created by artificial fragrance. Those with super sensitive skin should avoid these known irritants and instead opt for wipes with naturally-derived ingredients.
Many makeup wipes offer several benefits in addition to being able to remove your makeup, such as replenishing and hydrating your skin as they cleanse it. Depending on the results you desire, there are some key ingredients definitely worth looking out for.
Micellar water is incredibly popular among beauty bloggers and skincare enthusiasts, thanks to its ability to remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your face without damaging its natural moisture barrier.
Carrying around a bottle of liquid isn’t exactly convenient, though, which is why makeup wipes infused with micellar water are so popular - you get all the benefits in a portable, easy-to-use version.
When it comes to rejuvenating ingredients, we often need look no further than Mother Nature for inspiration and, appropriately, many biodegradable wipes use extracts from plants and fruits to give your skin a natural boost.
Without a doubt, the most popular ingredient is aloe vera. This is due to its antimicrobial properties that can treat acne and heal wounds. It's gentle on sensitive skin too, soothing irritation and calming redness.
Coconut oil and pomegranate are also popular additions to makeup wipes. The former helps to hydrate the skin and has antioxidant properties that can reduce the signs of aging, while the latter plumps up the skin and promotes collagen production.
If you’re dedicated to getting glowy skin, you’ll be pleased to know that some makeup wipes actually contain essential vitamins that can be absorbed directly through the skin and will help to nourish it from the inside out.
These include Vitamin C, which encourages collagen production, and Vitamin E, a natural anti-inflammatory that protects against sun damage as well as strengthening the overall skin barrier. Not bad for a mere makeup wipe!
It’s an unfortunate fact of life that makeup wipes can end up costing you a lot of money if you use them every day. Checking the number of wipes you get per pack can help to make things a little more cost-effective though. While a single pack may be cheaper initially, if it contains a low number of wipes then it's actually poor value for money in the long run.
We therefore recommend opting for a larger pack with 30 wipes rather than 20 - that extra 10 wipes per pack will really add up! Or, ideally, look for online deals that allow you to save money by buying several packs in bulk.
That being said, there are benefits to buying smaller packs - they’re much easier to slip into your bag, and you’ll be glad to have them on hand in the case of hot summer days or makeup mishaps!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Simple Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes - 3 Pack | ![]() | The Perfect Product From The UK's Fave Skincare Brand | |
2 | The Cheeky Panda Biodegradable Cleansing Facial Wipes | ![]() | Lightly Fragranced and Gentle Enough For All Skin Types | |
3 | Rawganic Anti-aging Facial Wipes - 2 Pack | ![]() | A Planet-Friendly, Organic Option | |
4 | Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Facial Wipes - 2 Pack | ![]() | The Only Little Black Wipe You'll Ever Need | |
5 | Boots Biodegradable Micellar Cleansing Wipes | ![]() | A Cheap Wipe That Effectively Removes Dirt and Grime | |
6 | Nivea Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes - Sensitive Skin | ![]() | Gentle Wipes Without Any Hidden Nasties | |
7 | Bioderma Make Up Wipes | ![]() | Add a Touch Of Luxury to Your Skincare Routine | |
8 | Amie Clear + Calm Cleansing Wipes For Oily & Blemish-Prone Skin - 4 Pack | ![]() | Targets Blemishes Caused By Oily Skin | |
9 | DYMACARE Flushable Cleansing Wipes | ![]() | A Flushable, Multi-Use Wipe for The Whole Family | |
10 | Belei Vitamin C Biodegradable Facial Wipes - 6 Pack | ![]() | Infused With Skin-Loving Vitamin C |
Simple is a trustworthy brand whose products are loved all over the UK and now they've added another feather to their cap by creating a biodegradable version of their best-selling wipes. You'll struggle to tell the difference, as these wipes continue to offer the same durability and soft touch as their predecessors.
There's one important distinction, however - these wipes are made from natural fibres taken from wood pulp. Hence with these wipes, Simple has managed to achieve that highly sought after blend of quality and sustainability - that's why they're our number one pick!
These inexpensive wipes from eco-friendly brand Cheeky Panda are soft on your skin and won't drag it as they cleanse it. There are no harmful chemicals in the production process and each wipe features a lovely, naturally-derived coconut fragrance that's gentle and non-irritating.
We absolutely love the fact that these wipes are made completely from bamboo before being infused with 99% purified water. They're a fantastic choice if you have sensitive skin, and if you're a staunch environmentalist then you'll be pleased to hear that their packaging is totally recyclable too!
Unparalleled when it comes to ingredients, these anti-aging wipes for mature skin are free from synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals like parabens, opting instead for natural, hydrating extracts like pomegranate and aloe vera.
Made from organically produced cotton, these superb wipes by Rawganic are completely compostable. Simply place them in your compost bin and in about four weeks, they'll be nowhere to be seen!
If you suffer frequently from blemishes, you'll definitely want to consider these wipes from popular skincare brand, Yes To Tomatoes. Each cellulose-based wipe contains charcoal and a mixture of fruit acids that are designed to control oil levels and prevent breakouts.
Even if your skin isn't prone to acne, these wipes are worth considering - their ability to remove all kinds of dirt and makeup without causing any redness is pretty amazing. As the brand says on the front of the packaging, this will be your new favourite LBW (little black wipe) in no time!
As you know by now, micellar water is highly effective at removing makeup and impurities without damaging your skin's natural moisture barrier. All of these benefits in the form of a handy wipe, then, is certainly something to celebrate!
Despite being Boots' own brand, these wipes are more than able to compete with the bigger names on our list. With splashes of aloe vera to soothe your skin and cooling cucumber extract, they're just what you need for a relaxing evening routine.
Made with 100% renewable plant fibres, Nivea's biodegradable cleansing wipes will moisturise and refresh your skin while they effectively remove dirt and makeup - even waterproof mascara!
As they're totally fragrance-free, these wipes are a brilliant buy for those with sensitive skin. They're an affordable option too, so pop them into your basket if you're on a budget but still want to keep your skin clean in a sustainable manner.
Highly popular across the Channel in France, these wipes are a convenient alternative to Bioderma's bestselling micellar water. They basically offer the same deep cleansing properties in a more portable wipe form.
Created by a team of expert dermatologists, they're designed to work on even sensitive skin - great news if you're looking for a deep clean that won't cause irritation. They're pretty pricey, but we'd say they're worth it if you want to add a touch of luxury to your routine!
Like many of the best cleansing wipes, this eco-friendly option from UK brand Amie does something other than just remove makeup. It also contains added Vitamin E - a key ingredient for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and plumping up your face.
As these wipes are specially formulated for oily skin, they're able to remove grease and stubborn impurities while softening your complexion. And, of course, they're completely compostable so you can enjoy guilt-free clear skin! The only downside is the inclusion of artificial fragrance, which may irritate sensitive skin.
Made from 100% plant-derived cellulose, these wipes from Dymacare are completely compostable - so much so, in fact, that you can flush them without any worries. Perfect for cleaning up on the go!
With added aloe vera and a pH-balanced formula, these wipes are suitable for even those with sensitive skin. Whether you want to remove lipstick or freshen up your underarms, these wipes can serve a variety of purposes, making them great for families! The only issue is that they're rather expensive for just one pack.
Utilising a unique blend of vitamin C, cranberry, and goji berry extract, these incredible biodegradable face wipes from Belei actually work to brighten and detox your skin as you remove your makeup.
Since these wipes are pH neutral, they're suitable for use on any skin type. As well as being biodegradable, they're made with materials from renewable and sustainable sources - we just wish there was information available on what those materials are! Still, not too shabby for an Amazon own-brand product!
The world of skincare is a complex one, so if you’re truly dedicated to keeping your skin looking its best and you want something that won't harm the planet, there's a lot to consider. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry - we’ve got plenty of eco-friendly recommendations in the articles below.
Since makeup wipes are a product that you use pretty much every day, it’s crucial that you get it right when picking up a pack. We hope our buying guide has pointed you in the direction of a product that’ll take good care of your skin, as well as our planet!
Author: Ben Willimett
No. 1: Simple|Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes - 3 Pack
No. 2: The Cheeky Panda|Biodegradable Cleansing Facial Wipes
No. 3: Rawganic|Anti-aging Facial Wipes - 2 Pack
No. 4: Yes To|Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Facial Wipes - 2 Pack
No. 5: Boots|Biodegradable Micellar Cleansing Wipes
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