A couple of months ago I decided to try some inexpensive cleansing wipes from Forever 21 at the recommendation from a fellow blogger. The store didn’t have any of the lavender cleansing wipes she mentioned, so I went with the Cocoa Shea Butter wipes because they said “moisturizing” on the packaging.
What a terrible disappointment! While the wipes are moisturizing and gentle, they don’t remove eye makeup at all. I had to tug at my already sensitive eyes and my non-waterproof mascara didn’t budge. The Forever 21 Cocoa Shea Butter wipes only cost about $2.90 for 30 wipes, so it wasn’t a terrible loss. They are fine for removing face makeup, but I always wash my face afterwards because I really don’t trust them to get everything off.
The Forever 21 Cocoa Shea Butter wipes are made in the U.S. Here’s their ingredient list, if your eyes are good enough to read it:
Enter Natracare Cleansing make-up removal wipes for sensitive skin. I was sent these wipes to try out.
First, I noticed they are made with organic cotton cloth, something I have never seen before, and they are biodegradable. Twenty percent of the total ingredients are organic, and the product is 99.6% natural. They are also approved by the Vegetarian Society (I didn’t know there was one!) It all sounds great, but will they work?
The wipes were not super-saturated with liquid the way some wipes are, so I wondered whether they were up to the task. Not to worry. They definitely removed my eye makeup with no problem whatsoever. And removing my CC cream was a breeze. Take a look!
Natracare says their wipe for sensitive skin “gently removes makeup-up, moisturizes & soothes skin, removes waterproof mascara and leaves the skin cleansed and fresh without feeling dry”. Absolutely true.
The brochure that came along with the Natracare wipes described the ingredients that conventional wipes may include – things I would rather avoid – especially with my sensitive skin: harsh chemicals that may release formaldehyde, sodium laurel sulfate and parabens. They also mention that other wipes may contain synthetic fragrances that do not usually bother me, but that can be allergens for others.
Natracare is an award-winning brand from the UK. It began in 1989 as a response to synthetics and toxins in conventional tampons and pads and their effect on women’s bodies and the environment. Hmmm, something I never thought about but should. As mentioned above, the products are approved for vegetarians and they are vegan as well. They are cruelty-free. In addition, the makeup removal wipes are dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested. They are made in Greece. You can learn more about the brand and their complete product line-up on the Natracare website.
Natracare is sold worldwide. It is available at some natural food stores, vitamin/drugstores and on Amazon, walgreens.com, vitacost.com, drugstore.com and iherb.com among others. The price for Natracare Cleansing Make-up Removal Wipes is about $7.66 for 20 wipes.
Ingredients:
Aqua, Aloe Vera Leaf Water*, Glycerin, Sodium citrate, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Gluconolactone, Chamomila Recutita Flower Water*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil*, Lauryl glucoside, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-2-Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-4-Caprate, Microcrystalline cellulose, Cellulose gum, Parfum (Sweet orange oil, Lavandin oil, Mandarin oil, Lavender oil, Lemon oil, Bergamont oil BF, Petitgrain oil), Sodium benzoate, Levulinic acid, Sodium levulinate, Glycerly oleate, Citric acid, Xanthan gum, Lecithin, Calcium gluconate, Potassuim sorbate, Limonene**, Linalool**, Sodium phytate
*Organic ingredient
**naturally occurring in the essential oils
I noticed that the Forever 21 wipes contain a couple of the ingredients that Natracare specifically leaves out of their wipes. So in the competition between the Forever 21 wipes and the Natracare wipes, Natracare – though more expensive but also much better-for-you and gets the job done – wins hands down!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
I’m not a fan of cleansing wipes. Even the ones for ‘super sensitive skin’ irritate and upset my skin…
Kiss & Make-up recently posted…Review | Argan Moroccan Secret Body Wash
What a bummer, Melissa! I won’t try to convince you 😉 I have blepharitis (inflammation of the eye lid), so I have a tough time finding wipes that don’t make me scream in pain. I lucked out with the Natracare
Wow, the Cocoa Shea Wipes sound very disappointing, but I completely agree with you about their Sensitive Skin Wipes. I love mine, and when I was testing them I tried them on my face, but also of the Tom Ford Matte swatches on my arm, and the results were very impressive! Excellent review, as always Allison! <3
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Native and Rush | Review and Swatches
I’m glad that the Natracare wipes worked for you, too, Lola! And thank you, as always <3
Oh wow those Forever 21 wipes sound horrific. Especially if they don’t even take off eye makeup. No good. I haven’t tried the Naturacare ones, but I am a HUGE fan of the Neutrogena wipes. Great post girl!
I have super-sensitive eyes so I was very eager to try these because of the sensitive skin thing and the organic cotton cloth etc. And they lived up to their claims! I have used Neutrogena wipes and like them too!
I haven’t had a lot of luck with Forever 21’s beauty products in general. Their face masks are horrible–they’re so drying, and when I was looking at the ingredients lists I saw that the “moisturizing” masks contained the same ingredients as the purifying masks for oily skin! Nice to see you found a better product in the end, though!
Good to know, Sammi. I guess I won’t be trying any of the F21 beauty products. I’ll stick to the clothes and accessories 🙂
Oh wow those Forever 21 wipes sounds horrific. What a bummer that they cant even take off eye makeup. No good. I havent tried the Nataura wipes, but I am HUGE fan of my favorite Neutrogena wipes. I am always on the look out for a good facial wipe for sure. Thanks for sharing, great post!
Jamie @ Makeuplifelove recently posted…The First Of Many SKIN INC Moments…
Yes, I’ll be passing on the F21 wipes from now on, and I have had good luck with Neutrogena wipes in the past. The Natracare wipes are really good for my inflamed, dry eyelids because of the soft organic cloth.
I have always wondered about these cheap beauty products from Forever 21 and I guess in this case you get what you pay for!
My favorite wipes are Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes. I have used them for years and haven’t been able to find anything better.
Agata recently posted…‘Cause Wardrobe Is Not Just For Clothes
Agata, I will be passing on the F21 beauty products from now on, lol 😉 I’m glad you like the Neutrogena wipes. I’ve used them too. I have specific eye issues, and the Natracare organic cotton cloths make a difference for me
The Natra Care wipes sound really good! My favorites are by Aveeno and Simple Skincare.
Tina @ My Highest Self recently posted…Bath & Body Works A Thousand Wishes
I haven’t tried the Aveeno and Simple Skincare wipes yet, but most likely I will. The Natracare wipes with the organic cotton cloths really work well on my dry, inflamed eyelids.
I’m always looking for wipes to remove my eye makeup. I’ll have to try the natracare ones for sure. Thanks for the review.
Leigh recently posted…Pop Sugar Must Have Box December 2014
They are worth trying, Leigh, especially if you have sensitive skin or eyes
I’d def pay a little more for a better wipe. They look fab!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Zoya Wishes Nail Polish Swatches + Review – Holiday 2014
They really are sooooo much better than the F21 wipes. The organic cotton cloths are quite substantial but gentle. And they’re better for the environment – compostable!
definitely passing on those forever 21 wipes!
Jess Scull recently posted…Tarte Tres Chic Park Ave Princess Contour Palette – Swatches & Review
Absolutely avoid them 😉
OOO I need to try these!
Laura MyNewestAddiction recently posted…Perfect Hair with Conair
They’re quite wonderful and they sell baby wipes too. And they’re at Whole Foods
Yellow writing on pink packaging …. they may as well have not even published an ingredients list. My eyes are too old for that. Lol.
Kimmi @ The Plastic Diaries recently posted…The Feel-Good Gift Guide + Competition
Worse than that, Kimmi, it is pink writing on deeper pink packaging. I can’t read it, and the ingredient list isn’t on the website or anyplace else. However, I can read a few words and a few ingredients are the ones that Natracare leaves out of their wipes
I’m looking forward to trying these. Looks like they did a great job, and they’re better for the environment!
Yes, they’re compostable! I should’ve mentioned that. I think you’ll like them, Nidia. Fortunately, they do work well on my sensitive skin and eyes and they do get my makeup off unlike the F21 wipes
I can’t use wipes like these because they irritate my sensitive skin.
Phyrra recently posted…November Subscription Boxes
Yes, you’ve gotta go with what you know your sensitive skin can tolerate. I’m lucky that I can use the Natracare wipes with no issues coz I like to have wipes around for those times When I don’t want to bring liquids with me.
These sound pretty impressive! I might get a pack the next time I go on vacation as I like to keep something like that in my travel bag. You know, for those times when everything goes wrong and you get something in your (already sensitive) eye and then you rub it (wrong move!) and manage to mess up your makeup so badly that it will never be fixed AND you’re stuck in the car? Yeah those times. Not like that’s ever happened to me or anything. Nooooooo not at all…. lol
I’m cracking up, Rach, reading that! I can imagine it. Yes, these wipes might help with that 😉
These sound like a great option to have on hand! I don’t use wipes all the time, but they definitely come in handy when you just want to wash your face fast (and once- I usually do a double cleanse, but cheat with wipes from time to time!)
Bailey recently posted…Cirque Colours Holiday 2014 | Live it Up Collection
The Natracare wipes really are great to have on hand. And I love that they’re made from organic cotton and they’re compostable!
Oh nice, they really seem to work well despite not being drenched in liquid. Nice pick!
Anastasia recently posted…New Additions to My Skin Care Routine From MDSUN
I’ve had good luck with the Natracare wipes. They work for me, don’t irritate my sensitive skin and they’re compostable too!
For the days I use makeup I depend on wipes to remove as much possible before going to a cleanser.
betzy carmona recently posted…Shades Of Purple Outfit
I often do that too, Betzy!
I can’t use wipes, or cleansers, with Citric Acid in them. I have allergic reactions every time.
Destany recently posted…A trio of Wet n Wild Wild Shine polishes in the new bottle!
It’s good that you know you’re allergic specifically to citric acid. These do have that ingredient. Bummer.
The Natracare wipes didn’t work for me, but I’m glad you liked them!
Kristin Bassett recently posted…7 of my Favorite Winter Nail Polishes
Gee, I’m surprised by that, Kristin. Were you wearing waterproof mascara? I don’t but they say they’re supposed to remove that too.
These sound really great! I wonder how it compares to my beloved Neutrogena makeup remover wipes.
Brianna recently posted…Rose Gold Smoky Eye Makeup Tutorial
Brianna, I like Neutrogena wipes, too. I have not check Neutrogena’s ingredient list so I don’t know the different there. Natracare doesn’t have SLS or parabens or other harsh chemicals. Like Neutrogena, it’s tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists. A few of the key differences that I do know is that Natracare is cruelty-free, vegan, all-natural, partially organic, and the wipes themselves are made from organic cotton and they are compostable!
I can’t use wipes either. These have aloe (I’m allergic) and essential oils and I just read those can be drying to your skin. There are YT videos on how to make your own wipes, need to try that. However these wipes do have the best ingredients I’ve seen so far.
Allison, I check your blog all the time now, you’ve become one of my staples, really enjoying your content!
Oh, I’m so happy to hear that you like my blog, Galliesallie! I often feel like I’m not making any progress. thank you for commenting and telling me! About the wipes, not everyone can use them. And it’s good that you know what you’re allergic to. How interesting that you have an allergy to aloe, an ingredient that is supposed to be soothing and repairing for skin…but everyone is different. If you do learn to make your own wipes, please let me know how you do it and how you like them! One of the good things about the Natracare wipes is that they are made from organic cotton and they’re compostable. Keep that in mind when you’re making yours, lol
Makeup remover wipes are so hit or miss for me. I’ll pass on the forever 21 wipes but the natracare wipes sound nice.
Mercedes {Beyond Beauty Lounge} recently posted…tarte Sweet Dreams Holiday Collection
I feel the same way, Mercedes. I’ve had good luck with Neutrogena and Pond’s, but I love the fact that natracare wipes are made with organic cotton and are compostable. Plus they don’t irritate my sensitive skin. Yay.
Good to know I shouldn’t bother using the Forever 21 wipes!
Jamie recently posted…First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream? Kind of the Best Thing Ever.
Definitely skip the F21 wipes!
Nice comparison! I’m constantly going through different types of wipes.
Stephanie Louise (@StephLouiseATB) recently posted…November 2014 Beauty Favorites & Fails + Video!
Yes, it can be hard to find a good wipe. The natracare is interesting because it’s made of organic cotton and it’s compostable.
Every cheap product I have tried from Forever 21 is awful. Glad the natracare wipes worked out for you though!!
Kendra recently posted…DIY Free People Inspired Earring Set
I am definitely cured of trying any makeup products from F21!
I love cleansing wipes .. it’s the first thing I do when I get home .. wipe most of my makeup off my face. A makeup wipe won’t get all my makeup off, but I feel so much better after a quick cleanse.
Monica.
MonicaP recently posted…Quilted blazer sets the stage for a leopard sweater and white pants
Although I have to work a bit on my mascara since the L’Oreal fiber formula is a little persnickety, it does get it all off for me. However, my OCD kicks in and I cleanse again afterwards. I think you’d like these because they are natural, made of organic cotton, gentle, and they’re compostable.