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Your Makeup wipes
are destroying the
planet ‒ here's why

Your Makeup wipes are destroying the planet ‒ here's why

April 2022 | 5 Minute Read 

makeup wipes on skin

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86% of consumers report using makeup wipes in their routine, but conventional makeup wipes are negatively impacting our environment, contributing to single-use waste. Does that mean you should feel guilty when using them or give them up completely? 

Giving up all makeup wipes may not be necessary for many who require the convenience of wipes and this was a major consideration for me as a brand founder of 100% sustainable and biodegradable cleansing cloths called the vitamin cleanse.

WHY ARE MAKEUP WIPES TERRIBLE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

sustainable makeup wipes

single use wipes contribute immensely to landfills

20 million pounds of single-use wipes are discarded daily in the U.S. which ends up piling up and collecting in landfills. They also clog city sewage systems and have devastating effects on the habitats of marine wildlife.

90% of wipes are not biodegradable

90% of conventional wipes are not made from biodegradable materials. Many makeup wipes are made from a polyester or polypropylene substrate which is plastic. Most people don’t realize their makeup wipes are considered single-use plastic that will not biodegrade. Some options are mixed with cotton or wool however these cloths will not fully biodegrade due to the plastic content.

biodegradable options don't use sustainable materials

There are more biodegradable options coming on the market which use viscose, rayon or cellulose which is primarily derived from wood pulp (a.k.a. trees).The problem with this material is that it takes 20 to 70 years for trees to reach maturity which means although the cloth itself is biodegradable, it is not sustainable.

does this mean you have to give up on makeup wipes?

Not necessarily. When I developed the vitamin cleanse cloths, I chose to make them from unbleached bamboo, meaning they are environmentally friendly for two reasons:

  1. Unbleached bamboo is 100% biodegradable and compostable. This substrate has been tested and we found that they disappear in as little as 60 days when composted or planted in soil. This means they do not need to go to the landfill and can be given a second life and be used as compost for your plants and gardens once they biodegrade

  2. Bamboo is incredibly sustainable as it only takes 2-4 years to grow to full maturity, compared to 20-70 years for free. This makes bamboo a significantly better choice for the environment

So now that you know a little more about the impact of makeup wipe, you can make a more informed decision and rest assured there is a better alternative.

All content found on this website is created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. 

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@madamesweat

Clean beauty industry maven and product developer Madame Sweat (Mary Futher) founded kaia naturals after spending 20 yearsworking for global beauty companies. She now shares advice on modern hygiene etiquette for grooming, hosting, home and travel on Instagram, TikTok and her popular blog called The House of Hygiene.

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