Let me say first, that I’m not personally a fan of using cleansing wipes as a facial cleanser. I know they exist, and I know it is popular, because it is convenient. But I avoid it because it firstly, isn’t a proper cleanse, and secondly, it doesn’t biodegrade, so it plays merry hell with the environment.
But sometimes, needs must, as they say. Sometimes, it’s a necessary evil.
About 2 months ago, I went on a short holiday and flew a budget airline. To avoid unnecessary additional costs, we opted for just carry on luggage, so I had to strip my packing down to the bare minimum.
Being the skincare buff that I am, my skincare pouch usually takes up the most space and weight in my luggage, so I had to pare it down. Instead of bringing along liquids, I thought I’d try something different. I went and hunted in the pharmacy for handy products I could use in place of a makeup remover, and I stumbled on the Biore Cleansing Oil Cotton Makeup Remover Wipes.
Biore Cleansing Oil Cotton Makeup Remover Wipes – handy dandy!
These Biore Makeup Remover Wipes come in various packaging forms. They come in a large quantity, in a plastic box, and refill packs. But it also comes in slim travel packs of 10 sheets.
I bought the travel pack purely because I would only use it for travel purposes and nothing more. When I’m at home, I use either a micellar water first cleanse, followed by an oil or balm cleanser to remove makeup. Makeup remover wipes are never my choice.
RELATED READING: This micellar water cleanser is quite good – hydrating, cleanses, and is affordable READ HERE
There are 2 versions of this Biore Makeup Remover Wipes – the pink version (moist) and the green version (refresh). I couldn’t quite tell what the difference between the two was, until I checked the back, and noticed that the green version mentions ‘sebum control’. So I put it back.
I reckon therefore that if you have oilier skin, you may want to use the green pack, while normal-combination-dry skin will go for the pink pack. Personally, I don’t know if it makes a difference.
Very efficient at removing makeup!
What it the Biore Makeup Remover Wipes is, is a cotton sheet, infused with cleansing oil, that removes makeup incredibly efficiently!
The cotton sheets are packed rather like wet wipes, and kept moist. Be sure to seal the pack immediately after removing a sheet. It feels moist, rather like that of a wet tissue, and does not feel oily at all.
I can vouch for the fact that it removes makeup very efficiently. While I don’t wear a lot of makeup on holiday, I sometimes wear brighter lip colours, and it removes eyeliner and longwearing lip colours like a champ! I have to say that I was very impressed.
On a recent road trip with some friends, one of them remarked that it removes mascara very effectively.
I can also vouch for the fact that it removes fairly heavy makeup quite efficiently too. However, if you are removing heavier makeup, I do recommend using 2 sheets, or using one sheet as an initial makeup remover, followed by your regular double-cleansing routine.
Moist and not drying on skin
What I liked also was that it isn’t drying on skin. The sheet is quite soft, and does not scratch the skin, and it is moist enough that you don’t tug your skin too much when cleansing. You must apply a little pressure however, to ensure that you get your makeup off properly.
Once it is removed, there is a layer of moisture on skin that leaves it feeling comfortable. I personally will not go to bed immediately after, for I will do a proper cleanse after that, and proceed with the rest of my skin care. I don’t recommend you leave it on either 😛
Practical and handy for travel
I will be travelling soon, and have bought another travel pack of the Biore Makeup Remover Wipes to bring along with me. It is a very slim pack that isn’t heavy, and it is convenient to toss into my skincare pouch.
You can also toss it out as you go, which naturally reduces space and weight (to leave space for shopping! haha!) but if you are an environmentalist, then this disposable product will not sit well with you.
Downsides: Fragrance and Over-reliance
There are however, 2 downsides to the Biore Makeup Remover Wipes that I can identify.
It is fragranced, and I don’t like how it smells. I tolerate it because it is effective, but if they could make a non-fragranced version, I’d like that better.
The second issue I have is that of over-reliance.
Convenient products like this makes people lazy. It’s just like junk or convenience food. You can rely on it too much, using the excuse that you are busy or tired, to use a makeup remover wipe, instead of properly cleansing your skin at the end of the day.
You may notice then, that your skin may suffer as a result. These wipes can be a little harsh on skin, despite how comfortable it feels. It also should be rinsed off, even if people tell you otherwise.
When I travel, and wear light makeup, I may use this wipe as a first cleanse, followed by a second cleanse in the shower. If I feel that I’ve been out too long, or that my skin may need a more thorough cleanse, I use a sheet just to remove most of my makeup, then proceed with a double-cleanse.
While I acknowledge that this defeats the purpose of packing light, it keeps my skin happier, and ultimately for me, that is the most important thing 😛
I do recommend these Biore Makeup Remover Wipes, but only (and I mean this!) ONLY for travel or emergencies. NEVER EVER as part of your daily skincare routine.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Biore Cleansing Oil in Cotton Makeup Remover Wipes are convenient disposable wipes infused with a cleansing oil, that removes makeup. It is very effective, and even removes waterproof makeup quite easily, leaving skin clean and moist and comfortable. The wipe is soft on skin, and does not scratch it. You do have to apply a little pressure, but there is no need to tug or rub at your skin to remove makeup. They are very convenient for travel and for emergencies, but I do not recommend them for daily use. Use a proper double-cleansing routine for daily use – your skin will thank you for the attention!
PROS:
Affordable
Very convenient for travel and emergencies
Removes makeup very effectively even longlasting makeup
Not drying or harsh on skinCONS:
Strong fragrance
May result in over-reliance on this for convenienceWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants an effective makeup remover for travel that is not harsh and drying on skin
PRICE: RM5 (10 sheets) – RM27 (44 sheets) (often goes on sale)
WHERE TO BUY: Watson’s, Guardian, Caring and most major pharmacies or personal care stores where Biore products are sold
Here is the ingredients list for the Biore Makeup Remover Wipes.
Ingredients: Water, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, PPG-9 Diglyceryl Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Sodium Stearoxy PG-hydroxyethylcellulose Sulfonate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-12 Laurate, Fragrance, Potassium Hydroxide
Have you tried these Biore Makeup Remover Wipes? Do you use wipes regularly?
They’re currently on sale, so I picked up a fresh pack. But it’s purely only used for when I travel. The thought of using this regularly doesn’t sit well with me at all! I hope you don’t either haha! 😀
Paris B
I love this! So compact and perfect for traveling! Cheap and it gets everything from foundation, longwearing lip color and waterproof mascara off. I just wish they made the sheets abit bigger (like the Bifesta oil one – that is great as well) so that I don’t have to use as many to get everything off 🙂
I know what you mean about the convenience – the over-reliance on this is real! Totally guilty of not packing micellar water during my travels… just this and facial cleanser =X
I am definitely gonna grab a pack for my travels! I think I’m the road trip friend you referred to and ya, was pretty impressed with how well it took off my eyeliner and mascara. I like that it comes in packs of 10s, so much more portable!
They made a makeup removing foaming cleanser before and I like that. I used it exclusively at work to remove makeup before afternoon prayer. Works in a pinch. Sadly it’s been discontinued. But now I use the Nivea Micellair cleanser (the pink one) and it’s just as good. As good as you can get from not double cleansing, that is 😉
I use the wipes from MAC, but not often. This duo pot (eyeshadow?) on the NARS palette looks beautiful. Can i ask from which company it is?
I travel quite a bit and I like the double cleanse by Pixi (the one developed by Caroline Hirons).
Recently I was able to try the insanely expensive Augustinus Bader cream, which turned out to be pretty much useless for my skin (I was so glad when the 30 ml packaging was finally empty, after three weeks). I pretty much lost my fabulous glow, but I think I will be able to restore it in a matter of a few days. Which made me think that for weekends away, I might as well cut down on my skin care and just use double cleanse, moisturizer and SPF during the day. 🙂
This broke me out last time. =S I do agree with makeup remover wipes being convenient for travel though. I usually pack the blue Bifesta ones because the sheets were bigger and it cleaned my face well.
yes! i have always traveled with these and works great. i do bring additional eye n lip remover though, as the mascara i have is a bit of a PITA to remove
contemplating to bring on my next travel though as skin is going through a sensitive phase now. ughhhhhh
Ouch I am guilty as daily user of make up remover wipes and I don’t even wear make up much, just lip colour 2-3 times a week. I use the wipes as first cleanse to remove sunscreen. Totally agree on the harshness of prolonged usage.
Burt’s Bee wipes claim to be biodegradable and removes make up better than the Sephora or Tarte wipes but carries a strange scent (package says it’s cotton scent).
I would not replenish any of the wipes after my stocks finish. For traveling, Bobbi brown long wear make up remover is 100ml, will use that as first cleanse / make up remover then second cleanse with a travel size facial cleanser.
I agree, these Biore sheets are awesome. I used them last year when I did my Umrah because I wanted something to remove my sunscreen fast to renew my ablution at the mosque (obviously I did not wear makeup so I can’t vouch for that). I used the blue one though, and eventhough I was lacking in my skincare while I was there, my skin did not become dry or irritated.
There are some brands out there with biodegradable sheets that you can check out, though I’m not sure if they have the travel size pack of 10 and not more. I personally prefer to carry a small bottle of micellar water as I trust it to contain far less skin sentisizing ingredients than cleansing sheets – I feel more at ease with micellar water when I can’t do a 2nd cleanse immediately or soon after.