Are Face Wipes Bad For Your Skin?

Face wipes feel like the easiest thing in the world. Long day, tired face, done in ten seconds. But here’s the truth: they’re one of the worst things you can do for your skin — and there’s a much better option that’s just as easy. Let us explain.

What Face Wipes Are Actually Doing to Your Skin

The problem with face wipes isn’t just what’s in them — it’s what stays on your skin after you’ve used them.

A proper cleanser lifts makeup, SPF, dirt, and sebum from the skin, then rinses it all away. Face wipes have no rinse step. Instead of removing impurities, they redistribute them — smearing makeup and pollution particles across your face and leaving a residue of preservatives, alcohols, and synthetic fragrances sitting directly on your skin with nowhere to go.

The result? Congested pores, a compromised skin barrier, dehydration, and — for sensitive skin types — persistent irritation and redness. The physical act of wiping makes it worse: rubbing and tugging at the skin causes micro-inflammation, particularly around the delicate eye area.

And then there’s the environmental cost. The UK government signed a ban on plastic-containing wet wipes into law in November 2025 — because 11 billion wipes are used in the UK every year, taking up to 100 years to decompose in landfill and causing 94% of all sewer blockages.

The case against face wipes is clear. The question is: what do you reach for instead?

Meet the New & Improved Oat Cleansing Balm

The Oat Cleansing Balm has always been our answer to face wipes — a gentle, effective, rinse-off first cleanser that actually removes makeup and SPF without stripping the skin. But we didn’t stop there.

After listening to real community feedback and running 125+ formula variations, we’ve relaunched it with meaningful improvements. This is the version we always wanted to make.

Community at the Heart: They Spoke, We Listened

Our community told us what they wanted to see improved:

A film-like, greasy residue left on the skin after rinsing
A tube that was difficult to squeeze, especially towards the end

We took every single point seriously. Here’s what we changed:

What’s New & Improved

Oat Kernel Oil increased from 3% to 5%
The hero ingredient now works harder. At 5%, the Oat Kernel Oil — rich in skin-identical ceramides — delivers enhanced hydration barrier care and more effective makeup and SPF removal. More actives, better results.

New: Sea Buckthorn Oil
Added for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Sea Buckthorn Oil is a powerful new addition for oily and blemish-prone skin. It’s also a rich source of antioxidants to help protect the skin from daily environmental aggressors.

New: Natural Wax Blend
A trio of natural waxes that condition the skin during cleansing, leaving it noticeably softer and smoother — and improving the texture of the balm itself.

Improved Emulsifiers
The new emulsifier system creates a beautifully creamy milk texture when water is added — and completely eliminates the post-rinse film that some users experienced with the previous formula. Clean rinse, every time.

New Softer, Thinner Tube
Easier to squeeze from first use to very last drop — and significantly more sustainable. The new tube reduces our plastic use by 16 tonnes per year. A small change that adds up to a big difference.

The Results Speak for Themselves

The new formula has one headline claim that says it all:

Removes 100% of waterproof makeup and SPF in 30 seconds.

And the proof doesn’t stop there:

96% agreed it effortlessly cleaned skin*
Skin felt instantly smoother and softer*
Leaves no residue on skin*
3 out of 4 would switch to this cleansing balm*
Clinically proven to instantly improve skin texture**
Clinically proven to reduce skin redness after 4 weeks**
Clinically proven to hydrate skin for up to 12 hours***
Non-comedogenic — suitable for all skin, even blemish-prone and sensitive

Based on a consumer trial with 29 participants **Based on a clinical trial with 29 participants over 4 weeks **Based on a clinical trial with 23 participants over 24 hours

How to Use It

Apply the balm to dry skin and massage gently for around 60 seconds — this is what allows the oil-based formula to fully dissolve makeup, SPF, and daily grime. Then add warm water to emulsify it into a creamy milk, and rinse thoroughly. That’s your first cleanse done.

For a complete routine, follow with a water-based second cleanser suited to your skin type. Want to go deeper? Use it as a 10-minute mask — apply, leave on, rinse away — for an extra hit of nourishment on dry or dull skin days.

At £15 for 150ml, it delivers results that compete with cleansers at twice the price. New to balm cleansers? The Mini Oat Cleansing Balm is just £8 — the perfect place to start.

Why It’s Everything a Face Wipe Isn’t

Makeup & SPF removal
❌ Face wipes redistribute makeup and SPF across your skin rather than removing it.
✅ The Oat Cleansing Balm removes 100% of waterproof makeup and SPF in 30 seconds.

Residue on skin
❌ Face wipes leave a layer of preservatives, alcohol, and fragrance sitting on your skin.
✅ The Oat Cleansing Balm leaves no residue on skin.*

Skin barrier support
❌ Face wipes strip and compromise the skin barrier with every use.
✅ The Oat Cleansing Balm is clinically proven to instantly improve skin texture.**

Sensitivity
❌ Face wipes cause friction and contain chemical irritants that aggravate sensitive skin.
✅ The Oat Cleansing Balm is non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types, including blemish-prone and sensitive.

Sustainability
❌ Face wipes contain plastic, are non-biodegradable, and contribute to 94% of sewer blockages in the UK.
✅ The new tube reduces plastic use by 16 tonnes per year.

Value
❌ Face wipes are a constant repurchase cost with no skin benefit.
✅ The Oat Cleansing Balm is £15 for 150ml — or £8 for the mini to try first.

\Based on a consumer trial with 29 participants *Based on a clinical trial with 29 participants over 4 weeks