The pros and cons of 4 popular cleansing wipes

Traveling as much as I do, I don't know why I wasted so much time agonizing about 3-ounce bottles of leaky cleansers and travel-sized samples of sub-par skincare brands, when there's a whole world of fantastic cleansing cloths out there. I've been playing around with a few brands over the last year, and here are 4 great picks for all kinds of skin types, that definitely beat using the hotel soap on your face. (Been there.)

 

For Regular Skin: Comodynes Makeup Remover Wipes for Normal Skin
I grabbed these off the shelf at Ricky's in a panic before a last-minute trip and wow, did I accidentally pick wisely. A Barcelona-based brand best known for their self-tanning cloths, their hypo-allergenic cleansing wipes are 100% viscose (rayon) and they not only clean my skin gently and thoroughly with one wipe, they do a terrific job on eye makeup and even mascara. My skin definitely feels soft and clean afterwards and ready to go. Bonus: The packages are recyclable and the products aren't tested on animals.

The Watchout: Haven't found one. I was sad when I ran out.

($7.99/20 at Ricky's NYC or $7.95 at our affiliate Amazon)


For Sensitive Skin: Atopalm Moisturizing Cleansing Wipes
I wasn't familiar with this brand developed especially for people with sensitive skin until recently. (Evidently it has a huge following in Asia.) The cleansing wipes are made for dry or sensitive skin, have antioxidants and some light moisturizing properties, and are free of parabens. The cloths are nice and soft, and the formulation does leave my skin feeling good. I never feel a need to rinse or wash again after I've used them.

The watchout: They really don't work great on eye makeup. I find I need to go over my eyes with a cotton swab afterwards. If you're not big on smoky eyes that may not be an issue for you.

($12.99/25 wipes at Atopalm.com.or at Ulta Stores; free shipping with 2 or more products)


For Oily to Combination Skin: Korres Pomegranate Cleansing Wipes
I've been a long-time fan of Korres, a natural Greek skincare brand, and was happy to snatch up a pack from their new pomegranate line, pomegranate being an antioxidant and natural pore toner. Not having oily skin, it does feel a wee bit drying for me, but fans who are prone to breakouts rave about it. I find the light pomegranate scent is delicious, not fruit salad-y.  It evidently works on waterproof mascara too, which is a huge plus.

The Watchout: Not the right choice for sensitive skin. Your skin may feel tingly or sensitive for a few moments after use. You might prefer the Korres Milk Proteins Cleansing Wipes intead.

($12/25 at Sephora.com, or at HSN.com)


For an Amazing Price: Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towlettes with White Tea Extract
These natural fiber cloths are meant to remove makeup, cleanse and tone all in one. They're built around the idea of more natural cleansing (99.1% natural ingredients), and make use of white tea which some experts believe counteracts the effects of pollutants in the air. They smell delicious--not cloying, just fresh. I love how they feel on my skin, and the price is just fantastic.

The watchout: They sting my eyes. Another one that's great on the face, but you might want to remove your eye makeup first. A few reviewers claim they need to rinse their face afterwards.

($6/30 at BurtsBees.com, and stores everywhere including CVS, Walgreens, and indie shops)

Find More: Beauty Picks and General Hygiene, Travel essentials