The routine you use to apply your makeup is as important as the routine you use to remove it. For several years, I’ve been using Say Yes to Grapefruit wipes ($7) to remove my makeup. And while I’m a big fan, I began to wonder whether I might be overdoing it with the fruit acids, since the towels are packed with vitamin-C. It’s refreshing and brightening, but a bit drying in large doses.
I tried several other brands of wipes from Simple to Clean and Clear to Ole Henriksen. The problems were the same with every product: the wipes were too small, too thin and didn’t remove eye makeup very well. So when I heard that Cetaphil, world champions of the sensitive skincare game were making a wipe, I had to try it.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths ($6.49/25 wipes) are quite large compared to some of the other brands. If you don’t wear a lot of makeup, you could probably tear them in half. The cloths are fragrance free and pH balanced, and perfect for women with sensitive skin. They also have a light texture that gives them some extra power, and they don’t leave a sticky residue, which many wipes do.
The trouble with the Cetaphil cloths is that while they do an excellent job of removing face makeup, mascara and long-wear lipstick are beyond their power. I definitely needed eye makeup remover to provide backup, which is something I don’t need with the Say Yes to Grapefruit wipes.
If you require the kind of gentle cleaning that Cetaphil is known for, then definitely give these a try. But if you’re looking for a one-stop eye makeup and face makeup remover, then look elsewhere. Back to the drawing board.
36 comments
DCQ says:
I swear by the Neutrogena makeup remover cloths. They are the best ones I’ve found, although I haven’t tried the Yes to Grapefruit ones…just figured I’d add them to the list!
Jenna says:
Neutrogena or bust! I can’t use the say yes to grapefruit–it’s too harsh for my face–but the Neutrogena wipes in the blue package for summer and the moisturizing one in the teal package for winter are perfect.
Joules says:
I’m on the neutrogena train as well. They’re the best!
Allie says:
Belle –
Though I love Cetaphil for their face wash, it’s Neutrogena that I turn to for makeup removing cloths. They get rid of everything – from stubborn waterproof makeup to glittery eye shadow. My favorite come in the blue package, and they run about $7 for 30 wipes.
Give them a try – maybe they will become your new favorite!
Margaret says:
Bizarre as it may sound, I love the Kirkland Brand makeup clothes from Costco. They are affordable, and they work really well. I have sensitive skin too – and I’ve never had a problem. Plus, you buy 6 months worth at a time, so you don’t need to constantly replace them!
Lauren says:
I will add a third endorsement for Neutrogena. I buy them in bulk at Costco and they seem to do the trick pretty well! I still use an additional eye makeup remover, though.
LeslieJeannene says:
I do the same-they are a great deal at Costco (you can generally get 4 packages for $15ish) I still have to use the eye make up remover for waterproof mascara though.
Lily says:
just a note about Neutrogena for those who are interested- they test on animals, whereas the “yes to” brand does not.
Denise B says:
I couldn’t find Say Yes to Grapefruit to try out the last time I was in the store, so I bought Burt’s Bee’s grapefruit, makeup removing cloths, and I’m also really happy with them. They remove my waterproof mascara and longwear lipstick easily and aren’t sticky or overly drying. And they’re large enough that I can get away with tearing them in half. I think they were 5.99 for 25 or 30 wipes (can’t remember) at CVS. I definitely recommend those as well!
PSP says:
I second the BB wipes! I use the sensitive skins ones and am very happy with them.
MM says:
I was just about to come on here and ask if anyone had tried the Burts Bees. I’ve been using them for quite a while and been very pleased. They have two different “formulas”, pleasantly scented and IMO effective. That being said, I wear little to no eye makeup regularly so can’t speak to that aspect.
Katie says:
Totally agree with the Neutrogena cloths – I love them so much… Though my typically oily skin prefers the oil-free wipes in the orange package.
Bug says:
I have tried the Say Yes to Grapefruit cloths, and I found them to sting and not remove my eye makeup. Try Boots No 7 from Target. They get rid of my eye makeup, and are soothing.
Kat says:
I use coconut oil and a cotton ball to remove my eye makeup and it works like a charm. Plus it’s way cheaper and less waste compared to those wipes. Try it!
C says:
Very basic question… after using the wipes to remove makeup, do you then wash your face? Or is it a two-for-one type of thing?
ww says:
I wash my face after removing my makeup. I don’t want makeup remover sitting on my face all night long.
Belle says:
Yes, I still wash it.
Amy says:
Try the Yes to Cucumber wipes – very gentle and leave your skin glowing
Elise C says:
I have been trying POND’S Original All Day Clean Wet Cleansing Towelettes. They are textured and do a pretty good job of removing my mascara. https://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=414024&catid=183591&aid=338666&aparam=52131047934id414024&device=c&network=g&matchtype=
DontBlameTheKids says:
Darn! I was so excited when I saw this pop up, because I use Cetaphil face wash, but I need wipes for the gym. Pretty much the only makeup I wear is mascara and eyeliner, so this isn’t going to work. Blah.
K says:
Honestly, I really like the Kirkland brand ones from Costco.
Liz says:
Maybe I’m a rare case, but while I love Cetaphil for moisturizers, these cloths broke my cheeks out in a really bad rash.
Sharona says:
My absolute favorite wipes – and I haven’t found any brand that compares – are the costco brand cleansing wipes. They are so, so, so awesome and much more effective than all other brand-name wipes I’ve tried.
LS says:
I started using old school cold cream recently, and it is amazing! Gets off every bit of mascara without rubbing my eyes, and is also really moisturizing.
Anna says:
The Yes to Grapefruit irritated my eyes. I used to use my Philosophy cleanser, rub it in to my eye area when washing my face, and then wipe off the last bits with a tissue before drying with a towel. It worked ok for everyday makeup, but I switched to a cleanser that doesn’t remove makeup too. Lately, I’ve been using coconut oil, rubbing it in til everything is dissolved, then wiping off with a damp cotton pad. I’m still trying to master not getting it in my eye, but otherwise, it works fantastic and feels less wasteful than the cleansing cloths. Plus, I know exactly what’s in it. A nice bonus is that my eye area feels nicely moisturized after I wash my face without feeling oily. Now that it’s cold, I just take a half a pea-size chunk of oil and rub it in, not sure how it’ll work in the summer when the oil is probably going to be in a liquid state, but thus far, it’s removed even the toughest makeup.
E says:
I have super sensitive skin and love the Aveeno wipes. They’re super soft, you can definitely get away with tearing them in half, and they get rid of ALL my makeup. Right down the eye shadow primer and tightlined eyeliner.
Katherine says:
One nice thing about Say Yes wipes is that they’re biodegradable, unlike pretty much all the others I’m aware of. Wipes are a lazy luxury for me so I try to offset the extra waste with biodegradability.
Lexi says:
I use the Yes to Cucumbers wipes. They’re non-irritating, and are strong and big enough to get all the makeup off my face.
Rachel says:
“The routine you use to remove your makeup is as important as the routine you use to remove it.”
Maybe I’m missing something, but I’ve read this sentence five times and I don’t get it. I’m sure it’s an innocent mistake.
Belle says:
It should have said apply. Fixed it. Thanks.
neurosciency says:
i’m a long-time cetaphil user (i think i just started using their face lotion after reading about it on your blog!) and i always miss my face wash and moisturizer when i’m traveling and can’t bring the normal-size containers with me. i will have to try these.
Jenn says:
Belle, have you tried the Ponds wipes? I use them and they work well for mascara and long-wearing lipsticks, including Stila’s Stay All Day. Here’s an amazon link for them: https://amzn.to/19Ueask
Mary says:
Good to know, thank you!
m gress says:
the Neutrogena wipes in the purple package are my go to every nite!!! Purple Package is NIGHT CALMING works great on my oily skin and gets the mascara off.
Virginia says:
I also use the Kirkland brand from Costco. No problem removing mascara, fine for my sensitive skin, and they’re cheap!
Lisa says:
Big fan of the Say Yes to Cucumber wipes. I have sensitive skin and can only use the grapefruit or other fruit acid based wipes 3 times a week max. Also really love the Simple ones too.