Makeup wipes. Worth the convenience?

During 2020-2021, the year or years (did I say that out loud?) of the pandemic, everyone is BIG into skincare. I've loved skincare since I made an egg white mask in my parents kitchen, tragically followed by a mayonnaise hair mask which might have left one defiant teen smelling like an egg salad sandwich.

One of the things that has always eaten me up is/are(?) FACIAL WIPES. There are many write ups and visuals, but my favorite is from Dr. Esho, a cosmetic doc. Check out this link - Dr. Esho hates makeup wipes even more than I do. 

Listen. Hear my cry. Makeup wipes don't clean your skin. You can use them as your first step in a double cleanse, but that second cleanse has to be the most thorough cleanse of your LIFE. It has to remove makeup wipe residue, makeup, egg salad from lunch, etc. I keep them in my makeup kit for corrections or to remove lipstick, but it's no substitute for the nightly cleanse. 

For a million reasons, not getting your face really clean isn't great. But the main one for me is, sleeping in your makeup causes premature aging.

"Sleeping with makeup prevents the skin from this much-needed renewal, resulting in healthy collagen breaking down. Light is unable to reflect off the skin, making your skin appear old and rough. As makeup interrupts cell turnover, fine lines and wrinkles can occur." 

- shorthillsderm.com

Or this article: What Really Happens When You Sleep In Makeup?

ARE YOU HORRIFIED YET??? If not, read this one and I am preemptively apologetic and don't actually think you should look at this because it is admittedly TOO MUCH. But for all the sickos, here you go: Wash off your mascara or you'll get whatever this is.

All that said, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you what to use instead. So, here is a list of my tested, tried and true cleanser recommendations. 

Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cleanser

Super gentle foaming cleanser. This big tube lasts for months and I rebuy over and over. Soothing. Calming. A staple and the 2nd step in my double cleanse.

Acure Resurfacing Glycolic and Unicorn Root Cleanser

Unbeatable price point. Glycolic and lactic acids - also known as “actives” that help with exfoliation and brightening. Hemp for hydration. Unicorns for fun. Great for congested skin. When my skin feels a little dull, I start with this. This is a great place to start if you are new with acids or "chemical" exfoliants.

Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser

No frills cleanser for dry sensitized skin. Great for post peel/microdermabrasion/retinol or accutane users. Needs to be rinsed off well as it can leave a residue. This is the first step in my double cleanse. Overall, Cereve is a great line for tweens and those who are just getting into skincare. It won't address specific needs (anti-aging, acne, discoloration, dullness), but it does the basics as well as any high end. Dermatologists love this brand in combination with prescription topicals.

Renee Rouleau Rapid Response Detox Cleanser

This is THE one for adult breakouts. MASKNE??? Get out of here and order this immediately. I cannot recommend this entire line enough. Renee Rouleau is an esthetician who not only gives incredible *free!* advice on her website, she is the esthetician of many fresh faced celebs. And to toot my own horn, this incredible human (oh her story...) is a former client of mine who tried to recruit me from what I thought was my dream job. Hindsight really is 20/20. I digress... Her line is incredible and if you are looking to start a new regimen, I'd steer you to her site in a heartbeat and really, you can't go wrong with a cleanser, or anything else, in her line. I just believe in choices!

Well, if it isn't clear, making a blog look good isn't my thing. Making your skin look good? Now we're talking. 

Questions? Ask me. This is what I love. 

annieandersonmua@gmail.com

Origin story: pro SFX makeup artist that got tired of damaging my clients skin, I grew interested in how to do both - heavy makeup with healthy skin. I got my esthetics license and I've been an esthetician for almost 20 years. A facialist. A skincare expert. I peer into every pore and analyze it's contents. That's not exactly true. But not exactly false.