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 properly, 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 — this is what’s known as double cleansing, and it’s one of the most effective habits you can build into your skincare routine. 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 just 15p per cleanse, 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

Ready to Make the Switch?

Shop the new Oat Cleansing Balm — reformulated, community-driven, and clinically proven.

Not sure where to go from there? Choosing the right cleanser for your skin type is the best place to start — or take our Skincare Quiz for a personalised routine in 2 minutes.