In recent interviews with glossy publications, one of the world's most fashionable influencers (and let's not forget - the founder of the Kkw Beauty brand) Kim Kardashian shared her beauty secret, saying that she removes makeup with ordinary wet wipes. According to her, the product does an excellent job of removing cosmetics and cleansing the skin. This, of course, is surprising, given the usually considerable amount of her on Kim's face. Marie Claire asked Elena Kovtunova, a dermatologist and cosmetologist, to find out if she could be trusted to cleanse the skin with wet wipes.
At first glance, the tool is very convenient. The wipes can be carried with you to cleanse your face, neck and hands as needed. They really help relieve the feeling of discomfort and refresh. On the other hand, dermatologists in Europe and America have already carried out many studies that have shown that wet wipes have as many disadvantages as they have advantages. Let's sort it out in order.
Smells good
The aroma suggests that the napkins are impregnated with perfumery chemical fragrances. Usually, a perfume is made on the basis of one of the following components - Limonen, Linalool, Menthol, Mint, Grapefruit, Hexyl, or Methylpropional. Often times, a perfume product will cause an allergic reaction - be careful.
Cleans well and has an antibacterial effect
Antiseptic properties mean chlorine, alcohol additives and Lauryl Sulfate or SLS are included in the impregnation of wipes. The latter is one of the most harmful detergents, destroying the protective barrier of the epidermis and increasing the penetration of other aggressive components into the body with which the napkins are impregnated. Ideally, these chemicals should not come into contact with the skin, as they can cause irritation, dermatitis, and allergic reactions. It is no coincidence that wet wipes were nicknamed "chemical sponge" back in 2011.
Moisturize and refresh the skin
A rare cosmetologist or dermatologist will agree with this, because alcohol, denatured alcohol, ethyl or isopropyl are usually added to the impregnation of wet wipes. With systematic use - for example, every night - these ingredients disrupt the hydrolipid balance of the skin, dry it out, make it vulnerable and very sensitive. Frequent use of wet wipes causes skin redness, irritation and flaking - should it be checked?
Used for baby hygiene
Methylisothiazoline (Methylisothiazoline) may be present in the basic composition that wet wipes are impregnated with, including in lines for children. Together with perfume and chlorine, this component is very bad for the skin (not only for children), causing rashes, irritation and even dermatitis. What to do? Study the packaging carefully before purchasing.
Easy to recycle
No matter how it is! Promotional campaigns from manufacturers of wet wipes emphasize ease of use, while keeping silent about the global environmental harm caused by the used product. Modern wet wipes are made on a synthetic basis, and they consist of polyethylene fibers that do not decompose for decades. Getting into water bodies, seas, oceans, hygiene products cause death of animals: whales, dolphins, turtles take napkins floating in the water for jellyfish, swallow them and die. And many more throw napkins down the toilet, which also cannot be done. So, 2 thousand tons of used napkins were once recovered from the sewer system in the small English town of Kent. And if you imagine the scale of the disaster in big cities?
Let's not talk about the fact that wet wipes are harmful and dangerous, urge to refuse to use them - too. The main thing is to apply them reasonably and to the point.
Photo: Getty Images
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