These Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Face Wipes Are the Ultimate Cleansing Upgrade

In a late-night banter session with one of my best friends, he dramatically responded to my witty text by saying that I'd, "scolded, yelled at, and berated," him. Well, that's pretty much how we've been made to feel about using face wipes, right? 

Of course, it's for good reason, as it's pretty clear that face wipes are awful for the environment. After all, 9.3 million wet wipes are flushed down the toilet every day. They're harsh on the skin, too. They're ineffective at cleansing properly, and the ingredients list isn't doing us any favours either.

So what are we actually supposed to use instead? That's where reusable makeup remover pads and cloths come in handy.

A double cleanse, where you use a heavier balm or makeup remover in the first step and a lighter cleanser during the second, is always a smart move. Reusable cloths and pads are ideal for this, so if you're still finding it hard to wean yourself off the wipes, keep scrolling for our top picks.

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(Image credit: @chanelmckinsie)

With five white bamboo pads to use on clean skin with your daily acids or toners and five black ones for makeup-removing duties, this pack is an eco-friendly essential. It comes with a handy laundry bag, so you just pop the used ones in here and throw them in the wash.

Cleansing mitts and cloths are definitely not made equally. Dragging a rough cloth around your face isn't where it's at, but this one is as soft as can be, especially if you find muslin tricky to use. 

You can trust the queen of facials to meet all of your cleansing mitt needs. With a pack of four to keep you going, you'll always have some on standby when you have one in the wash. 

If you're looking for pads that would feel right at home in your Pinterest-worthy bathroom, then look no further. You can hang the sleek pouch on a bathroom hook for easy access to the 14 pads. 

One of the most annoying things about reusable makeup removers is having one that's dirty and not having another clean one to use. With one for each day of the week, there's no excuse with this set. Plus, the muslin cloths work to effectively remove your cleanser and stimulate circulation.

All you need to do with this genius pad is wet it, and just like that, it will remove and lift makeup without any hard work on your part. You can still opt to do a light cleanse after you use this, but the fibres are rather efficient. 

With the right products, cleansing can be quite a luxurious ritual. Think spa-scented rich balms and creamy washes. So it's only right that your cloth adds to the experience, and this one certainly does.

You'll find seven reusable pads in this set, so face wipes will surely be a thing of the past. Whether you use them to remove eye makeup, douse them in micellar water, or use them to assist in cleansing, there's enough to keep you going. 

To elevate your sustainability credentials, these pads are made from 100% organic cotton. They're the perfect addition to your skincare routine, as one side is designed to use with a cleanser and the other side for toner or liquid exfoliants.

This silky, soft flannel is reminiscent of having those divinely scented, warm cloths draped over your face mid-facial. Your face will be most grateful.

Up next, Try Out These 15 Super-Affordable Moisturisers

Giselle La Pompe-Moore