If you’re a parent, you’ve likely asked yourself the following question — if baby wipes are safe for my child, is it okay if I use them too? This is a rational thought process.
After all, they’re gentle and littered all over your home. It just makes sense to use them when you’re in a bind, right? If you wish to learn more about the safety of baby wipes as an adult, read on.
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Are Baby Wipes Okay For Adult Use?
The short answer is yes. If they are gentle enough for your child, they should be safe for your skin too. The question is whether or not you should, though.
This all boils down to the exact application of use. You also want to consider the ingredients in the wipe before using it on infant or adult skin.
What Ingredients Do Baby Wipes Have?
So you need to find the perfect brand of baby wipe? You might want to check the ingredient list since not all baby wipes are the same.
- 576 Total Wipes in 8X or 9X Refill Packs
- The No.1 Choice of Hospitals (based on hospital sales data)
- The #1 Sensitive Wipe (based on U.S./Canada “Sensitive” nationally branded sales)
- Clinically Proven Mild
- Dermatologist tested, Perfume free, Hypoallergenic
- Helps restore pH of the skin
- Zero percentage of Paraben, Alcohol, perfume and phenoxyethanol in this sensitive water based wipe
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Water should be the main ingredient. You want to avoid wipes with synthetic dyes and fragrances.
If you want an environmentally-friendly option, look into purchasing a biodegradable wipe. These are usually more expensive. However, they are a sustainable alternative.
Can You Use Baby Wipes on Your Face?
This depends. If you wish to clean off a bit of food from your face, there’s no reason you can’t use a baby wipe. Feel free to dab your face after a particularly messy meal.
However, if you wish to treat a skin condition like acne or eczema, you should use a face wash suitable for your skin type instead. Baby wipes alone can’t treat these conditions. In fact, they may make them worse.
If you’re a makeup-wearer and wish to use a baby wipe to get rid of your makeup, it may not be an effective way to cleanse your skin. Some wipes even contain alcohol, which is too harsh and can strip your skin of the vital and natural oils it needs to thrive.
If you want to get rid of makeup, consider using micellar water or better yet, a makeup remover wipe. Then go in with a cleanser suitable for your skin type.
- Dissolve all traces of dirt, oil & makeup--even stubborn waterproof mascara--with these daily facial cleansing towelettes that are designed to thoroughly cleanse without any heavy residue, so theres no need to rinse
- Formulated to be gentle on the eyes, facial wipes are safe enough for use by contact lens wearers and are designed with superior skin cleansing technology
- Ultra-soft nourishing cloths feature an alcohol-free formula to cleanse while also being gentle on the face, and are ophthalmologist-, dermatologist-, and allergy-tested
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The bottom line is, leave those baby wipes for your child’s skin, as there aren’t any real benefits to using them on your face. Even the gentlest wipes may even leave traces of makeup behind.
Why Don’t Adults Use Baby Wipes?
As previously stated, there’s no real advantage to using baby wipes over other hygienic products, which is probably why most adults don’t use them. However, if you’re buying wipes in bulk and they’re your only option, there’s no shame in using baby wipes to clean off other parts of your body.
They can help you feel fresher now and then! Just use them wisely, never flush them down the toilet, and know that there are better cleaning options.
Adult Uses for Baby Wipes
If you have countless packs of baby wipes lying around and wish to use them up, consider these safe uses suitable for adults.
Clean Surfaces
Baby wipes are effective at cleaning surfaces. So, use them if you’ve noticed your plastic houseplants and knickknacks accumulating dust.
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Use Them Under Your Arms
If you need a quick refresher after a workout, use a baby wipe to wipe off any excess sweat. Keep in mind that this shouldn’t serve as a replacement for an antiperspirant.
Clean Off Your Baby’s Toys
This may not be an ‘adult’ use, but if you’re a parent, baby wipes can come in handy in more than one way. Use them to wipe down your child’s toys before or after playtime.
Keep them in Your Car
Leaving a pack of baby wipes in your car can come in handy, even if you aren’t a parent. Use one to cool down your steering wheel on a hot day. You can also keep them stowed away in case a friend or a family member ever spills anything onto your seat.
They are also an ideal way to wipe your hands clean after pumping gas.
Clean Off Your Shoes
Baby wipes can also give your shoes a quick shine and polish, so use them to spruce up your footwear.
Is Using Baby Wipes on Your Period Okay?
If you’re looking for a way to ‘freshen up’ while on your period, baby wipes may have crossed your mind. They are quite safe to use. Keep a few in your bag and use them whenever you’d like to feel fresher throughout the day.
However, if you notice any irritation, stop using the wipes right away. Also, use unscented wipes. This raises the question — is a baby wipe better than a feminine hygiene wipe?
Some feminine products may not be beneficial to your body at all. While they do smell sweet, artificial fragrances can ruin the delicate pH balance within your body. This can lead to dryness, redness, and overall discomfort, so in this case, a baby wipe may work even better.
Can Baby Wipes Cause Infection?
Using baby wipes now and then to clean off is fine. However, using the wipes excessively may give you a urinary tract infection, so always be cautious and use them sparingly.
They may dry your nether regions if you’re using them every time you go to the bathroom.
Can You Wipe Your Bum With Antibacterial Wipes?
Many wipes are not safe for your septic system, as they can clog the drain. While it may be safe to clean off using an antibacterial wipe, it can cause some serious damage to your plumbing system, so you’re better off using toilet paper.
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Conclusion
Baby wipes are multifunctional, and they are safe for adults of all ages. However, watch how you use these wipes, as there are better ways to cleanse the skin for adults.
Baby wipes are great for cleaning off your baby, whether you’re cleaning off food from their sweet faces, or changing their diaper. They’ll help you in a pinch, but this all boils down to your reasoning behind using the wipe.
