Are Makeup Wipes Toxic?
- Alayne
- Oct 27, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 21, 2025
Saving Face
The ick on your makeup wipe goes much further than what you are wiping off of your face. Aside from the unbelievable damage they do to the environment, these convenient and wildly popular wipes are doused in harmful chemicals that ultimately get smeared into your skin leading to allergic reactions, skin irritation, unwelcomed breakouts, and most unfortunate of all, exposure to some nefarious toxins.
Popular brands of makeup wipes, even the ones that advertise themselves as clean or plant-based, may contain a variety of bad guy ingredients. To add insult to injury, moving beyond the toxic solutions in which makeup wipes are soaked, the wipes themselves can be toxic. Let's do some digging.
In This Post:
Toxic Agents & Additives in Makeup Wipes
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Synthetic polymer. Considered a microplastic due to its persistence and ability to absorb and transport pollutants. May cause skin irritation.
Carbomer
Synthetic polymer. Can be contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen, during the manufacturing process. May cause mild skin irritation or allergic reaction. Classified as a microplastic, meaning it's not biodegradable and will persist for a very long time. Microplastics themselves are not considered toxic but can affect health due to the chemicals they contain and absorb.
Disodium EDTA
Synthesized from formaldehyde and sodium cyanide. Can interfere with the production of blood cells. Damaging to kidneys. Disrupts the skin cell surface allowing other toxic ingredients to enter the skin. Irritation concern under the EWG.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Synthetic preservative and emollient. EWG high concern skin/eye/lung irritant. EWG low-moderate concern non-reproductive organ system toxicity, allergies, and immunotoxicity. Studies report dermal and allergenic effects, contact dermatitis, and sensitization. EU GHS classified eye irritant. EU GHS classified wildlife & environmental toxicity.
Fragrance
A general umbrella term which could include toxins like phthalates (known endocrine disruptors), parabens, formaldehyde-releasing agents, aldehydes, styrene (classified carcinogen), linalool, acetone, and more.
Hexylene Glycol
An oxygenated solvent derived from acetone. Also used in industrial applications as a solvent in paints and coatings. Known to enhance penetration of other chemicals into the skin. A known skin and eye irritant.
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Synthetic preservative. Banned from aerosols due to inhalation toxicity. Linked to contact allergies, thyroid issues, and developmental risks. Pregnant woman and children under 3 are advised against its use. EWG rating of 6 (not good) with high concern use restrictions, moderate concern persistence & bioaccumulation and allergies & immunotoxicity, and low-moderate concern non-reproductive organ system toxicity. Restricted in cosmetics by Japan Ministry of Health. EPA classified toxic effects on animals.
Isohexadecane
Derived from petroleum. Classified as toxic or harmful by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). May cause skin irritation or allergic reaction. Classified as hazardous to aquatic life.
PEGs (polyethylene glycols; PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-7)
Synthetic petroleum-derived compounds. Can become contaminated, during manufacturing, with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, known carcinogens. Enhance skin penetration which can increase absorption of contaminants.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
A large, complex group of synthetic chemicals. Referred to as forever chemicals because of their persistence in human bodies and the environment. Studies have revealed that exposure to these chemicals can lead to hormone disruption, adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes, liver damage, cardiovascular issues, weakened immune function, altered thyroid function, lipid and insulin dysregulation, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Not biodegradable.
Phenoxyethanol
Synthetic solvent used as a preservative to prevent bacterial growth. Known to cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and eczema. Some studies suggest it is an endocrine disruptor.
Polyaminopropyl Biguanide
Unacceptable in EWG Verified products. Classified as a suspected carcinogen in Europe where it is banned in sprayable formulas, but allowable in low concentrations in non-spray applications.
Propylene Glycol
Synthetic by-product of fossil fuels and fermentation (if not specifically designated as plant-derived) found in brake fluid and antifreeze. May cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. Small enough molecular weight to enter bloodstream.
Additional Bad Actors in Makeup Wipes
Aminomethyl Propanol
Synthetic organic pH balancer. EWG rating of 1-4 (dependent on product meeting safety guidelines and contamination restrictions). EWG high concern contamination; Nitrosamines and Oxazolidine. EWG high concern skin/eye/lung irritant and use restrictions.
Cyclopentasiloxane
Volatile silicone compound. Potential low concern endocrine disruptor designation by the EWG. Can build up over time and hinder moisture from entering the skin. Not biodegradable. Persistent in the environment.
Dimethicone
Synthetic silicone-based polymer. EGW rating of 2-5 (dependent on product meeting safety guidelines and contamination restrictions). EWG high concern contamination; Cyclopentasiloxane and Cyclotetrasiloxane. EWG high concern environmental persistence and bioaccumulation. EWG low-moderate concern non-reproductive organ system toxicity. May cause skin irritation.
Ethylene Brassylate
Synthetic musk in fragrances. Possible hormone disrupting compound. Potentially mimics estrogen. Aquatic toxicity with long-term effects.
Isopropyl Myristate
Synthetic ester emollient and thickening agent. Linked to skin/eye irritation. Known to be comedogenic (pore-clogging) increasing risk of breakouts especially in oily and acne-prone skin. Enhanced penetration concern for other substances to enter skin.
Isopropyl Palmitate
Synthetic chemical ester emollient, thickening agent, and solvent. May cause dermatitis or inflammation with repeated use. Potentially comedogenic (pore-clogging) increasing risk of breakouts especially in oily and acne-prone skin.
Piroctone Olamine
Synthetic compound. Long-lasting, harmful effects to aquatic life.
Polysorbate 20
Synthetic emulsifier and surfactant. EWG high concern contamination; 1,4-Dioxane and Ethylene Oxide, known carcinogens. Skin/eye/lung irritant.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Designated by EWG to have enhanced skin absorption concerns. A conduit by which chemicals, toxins, and microplastics enter the skin barrier. A problem if wipes contain toxins or are made of materials that are microplastics.
Microplastics in Makeup Wipes
Polyester aka PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
Synthetic fiber derived from petroleum-based chemicals. Identified as an endocrine disruptor that alters developmental and reproductive health. Polyester is a fiber version of PET, both classified thermoplastics that release microplastics and nanoplastics with friction. A concerning trait when considering the toxins in makeup wipes and the tendency that some of these substances have to enhance skin absorption. Not biodegradable. Bioaccumulates contributing to long-term plastic pollution.
PP (polypropylene)
Predominantly petroleum-based thermoplastic which, like its counterpart PET, releases microplastics and nanoplastics with friction. A harmful combination with the toxic ingredients in makeup wipes and the propensity for some of them to enhance skin penetration. A by-product of refining crude oil and natural gas. Not biodegradable and persists for hundreds of years in the environment contributing to plastic pollution.
Rayon
Semi-synthetic fiber made from regenerated cellulose likely derived from wood pulp or in some cases bamboo, soy, or cotton. Considered semi-synthetic postproduction, rayon behaves like polyester and polypropylene (PP) shedding microplastics that are not biodegradable. Parallels the concerns with polyester and PP regarding skin barrier absorption especially when paired with absorption enhancing ingredients. Highly toxic chemicals are used in a highly polluting manufacturing process. Contributes to plastic pollution.
Non-Toxic Alternative
Consider cleansing with a gentle, toxic-free/microplastic-free, nourishing goat milk soap. Water is a universal solvent, meaning it's a proven effective dissolver of many substances. Due to its polarity, it can bind to and wash away dirt and impurities. Using a non-toxic soap along with water offers a more effective way to break down and carry away oils and stubborn particles. No pile up of wipes in our environment and no harm done to your skin or body.
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Volume of Discarded Makeup Wipes
If the content on toxins and microplastics isn't enough to dissuade you from using these things, please take the following to heart...
Makeup wipes are included in the 11 BILLION wet wipes (makeup, cleaning, sanitary) that are thrown away each year.
An estimated 161,500 tons of makeup wipes were produced per month in 2024, ultimately landing in the garbage bin.
Makeup wipe market size was valued at $611.2 million USD in 2023 and is estimated to reach $805.2 million USD by 2031 per Verified Market Research.
Global makeup wipe market was valued at $7.1 billion USD in 2025 and projected to be $10.7 billion USD by 2035 per Fact.MR.
Unimaginable environmental impact. Forever chemicals, microplastics, bioaccumulation... the sheer volume.
Worth Noting
Repetitive rubbing and stretching can cause skin irritation and the breakdown of collagen and elastin resulting in premature aging especially when considering the delicate area around the eyes. Friction from rough-textured synthetic wipes create micro-abrasions making way for chemicals and microplastics to enter your skin barrier. The absorption of toxins and the damage done to the skin further contribute to accelerated aging.
Recent Recall
The FDA issued a Class II risk level recall of Neutrogena's "Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes" on September 19, 2025, after testing revealed contamination with the bacterium Pluralibacter gergoviae. The recall included 1,312 cases of wipes distributed to Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
For more dirt on dirt, visit my Toxins in Body Care post. If Bend Soap Co. Goat Milk Soap looks good to you, come on over to my Bend Soap Co. Goat Milk Soap Review.
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