What does washing with wipes for five days do to your skin?

Glitter, face wipes and clouds of dry shampoo are recognisable festival staples. Yet, as the summer heat rises and festival season kicks off, dermatologists urge that packing those trusty make-up wipes might not be the best idea. “Whilst convenient, make-up wipes often contain alcohol and other harsh chemicals that can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and sensitivity,” says Dr Chandni Rajani, advanced aesthetics doctor and general practitioner.

“Additionally, the friction from wiping can cause micro-tears in the skin, making it more susceptible to irritation and inflammation. Over time, the residue left behind by wipes can clog pores, leading to breakouts and uneven skin texture.” It seems, not only do make-up wipes cause irreversible damage to the skin’s barrier, but they may not even be doing the job at all .

“Essentially, these are water wipes which will only take off a small amount of make-up and dirt from the skin,” notes Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics. “in actual fact all you’re doing is rubbing the grime further into the skin.” Moreover, UK festivals reportedly create 23,500 tonnes of waste a year, with non-degradable wipes acting as a large contributor.

So what should you pack instead? Alternatives include micellar water and no-rinse cleansers, says dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh. “The best way to remove make-up when you don’t have access to washing facilities is to use a water-free cream cleanser f.