If you’re still using makeup wipes to take off your makeup, then it’s time to move out of 2013 and into the skin-loving and environment-conscious time that is the now. You’re late to the party but The Beauty Drop is here to welcome you, let us give you the run down before you explore for yourself. We’ll fill you in on why we are anti makeup wipes and give you recommendations and how-tos on the best cleansers and micellar waters to use instead.

Makeup wipes often contain fragrances, preservatives and alcohol that can be very drying and irritating, particularly to sensitive skin types. On top of dodgy ingredients, the vigorous rubbing that is often required can be quite harsh on the skin. Makeup remover wipes strip the skin of its natural oils and damage the ever-so-precious acid mantle that protects us from skin pollutants and contaminants. Ultimately, most makeup wipes are bad for your skin.

As if that’s not enough of a reason to ditch them, most makeup wipes are also terrible for the environment as they aren’t compostable or recyclable. They are single-use and once they’re in the only place you can put them: the bin, they move to landfill where they stay for years. Even worse, they can end up polluting our oceans or harming wildlife if they escape landfill. The microplastics found in many makeup wipes never really go away, they eventually break down into smaller particles, but those particles are still found in the environment. On top of all of this, the packaging the actual wipes come in is also pretty awful as it generally can’t be properly recycled.

So, now that you’ve had the rundown, let us introduce you to some of the guests at our aforementioned skin-loving, environment-conscious party.

You’ve got two solid options (with an array of choices within) when it comes to removing makeup without single-use makeup wipes: cleanser and a good ol’ fashioned face washer, or micellar water and a reusable cotton pad alternative.

Cleanser: we’re sure you’ve heard of it. It comes in many forms at many price points and by many brands. There’s one for every skin type, concern and goal. A few of our faves for makeup removal include the Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, the Emma Lewisham Illuminating Oil Cleanser, the IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser and the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.

Different types of cleansers will have slightly different instructions (eg. some go on wet skin and some go on dry) but for the most part, you should gently massage your cleanser into your face using circular motions before rinsing it off with water. To finish, use a reusable face washer, which you probably conveniently already have at home. If not, head to your local homeware or department store.

Micellar Water: like your average tap water, except so much better. But what is micellar water? What does it do? How do you use it? Micellar water uses micelles to bind to oils and other build up. Also excellent for removing makeup, this miracle water is super easy to incorporate into your routine. To use micellar water, just pop some on a reusable makeup removing pad or cloth and again, using gentle circular motions, wipe away your makeup. Beauty-fanatic favourites include the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, the Bioderma Sensibo H2O and the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micellar Water for Ultra Oily Skin.

When it comes to your choice of cloth or makeup removing pad, there are plenty of reusable options. The Face Halo was a complete game-changer when it first came out, Garnier make their own Micellar Eco Pads and the Manicare Makeup Remover Towel is ultrasoft.

So, there you have it. You’re all acquainted with our favourite non-makeup-wipe makeup removers. Welcome to the party!