B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes vs Superdrug Cleansing Sensitive Facial Wipes – Which ones are best?

Cleaning your skin is the first and most important task of your skincare routine. No matter how good your creams and serums are, if your skin is not clean, you will not get the results you are looking for. However, taking your makeup off with a wipe should not be the preferred method of cleaning your face, because they don’t clean as well as wet cleansers and the dragging motion can be negative for the skin. But there is no denying that makeup wipes can be useful, either as a last cleaning step to get any traces of dirt left over or perhaps for cleaning up little makeup mistakes etc.

Makeup wipes are also a product category that I haven’t found a solid ride-or-die yet. Most of them work well and are pleasant and cheap to use but they all usually have a little flaw, like for example, most of them contain alcohol which can be drying for the skin.

Despite the fact that wipes will be a product of the past soon enough, because they are not environmentally friendly, they are still widely used at the moment. I’ve found a couple of options now that are small molecule alcohol free (small molecule alcohols are drying but not all alcohols are bad for the skin) and that are worth looking into more detail. So, in this post lets have a look at the B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes and the Superdrug Cleansing Sensitive Facial Wipes. I’ve chosen to pair these up because B. Pure is a Superdrug brand and is the “more expensive” option where the Superdrug one is the cheaper. Let’s have a look at them in more detail and whether or not they are worth their cash. Are they just the same product?

 

Packaging

The B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes are more expensive and their packaging reflects that. The plastic they come in is thicker and polished and it even has a closing lid on it. Similarly, the actual wipe itself is thicker and has little circular bumps on it.

On the other hand, the Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes are a lot more basic looking and the wipes themselves are also thinner.

However, despite first appearances the B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes are not that fancy. The more expensive packaging fell apart instantly the first time I tried to open it. The lid came off (it’s just glued on) and so the packaging actually ended up looking worse than the cheaper one.

Winner: Despite the simplest and cheapest packaging, at least it doesn’t fall apart. The Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes take this category.

 

Price

The B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes retail for £1.49 for 25 wipes (5.96p each) whereas the Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes retail for £0.99 for 25 wipes (3.96p each).

Winner: The cheaper Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes win this one.

 

Texture, Colour and Shape

Both wet wipes are square types of cloth. They are both wet enough and do not dry out.

The B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes are slightly bigger and also thicker, plus they have a bumpy texture. The Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes on the other hand, are thinner and smoother.

Winner: Thinner wipes are usually not the best but in this case the thicker B. Pure can feel a little harsh on the face. Therefore, the Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes win this category.

 

Smell

The B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes have a very light wipe type of scent. It’s nothing specific and it is pleasant. The scent comes naturally from the ingredients contained; they do not have added fragrance.

The Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes also have a very light wipe type of scent, but it smelled a little off. Nothing major though, you might not even notice unless you put the wipe close to your nose. They also do not contain added fragrance.

Winner: The B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes have a slightly more pleasant scent.

 

Skin compatibility

You might have noticed from the pictures that I am using the Sensitive skin options for both wipes. Although I do not have sensitive skin I recommend always going for the sensitive skin cleansing options because they tend to be the most gentle. Cleansing shouldn’t be aggressive to your skin and you don’t loose anything from treating your skin with caution, even if it’s not sensitive.

Avoid using cosmetics on broken skin. If you are concerned consult with a medical doctor first.

Winner: Equal. These brands also have wipes for other skin types.

 

Other

Both wipes are suitable for vegetarians and vegans and both last for 3M. Both are made in the UK and are dermatologically approved. The B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes are cruelty free whereas the Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes are also opthalmologically approved.

Here’s what Superdrug says about the B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes on their website:

“Effective gentle cleansing

Dissolves Make Up

Helps remove impurities

Removes waterproof mascara

Fragrance free

Suitable for sensitive skin

Dermatologically approved Hypoallergenic”

 

Here’s what Superdrug says about the Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes on their website:

“Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes For Sensitive Skin, Gently Cleanse and Refresh, Removes Waterproof Mascara, Fragrance Free, Dermatologically Approved, Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans.

Benefits

Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes for Sensitive Skin are specially formulated to gently cleanse away impurities, remove make-up and waterproof mascara. Enriched with Aloe Vera and Pro-Vitamin B5 to help soothe and moisturise the skin, leaving it feeling beautifully soft, nourished and refreshed.

Warnings or Restrictions

Avoid direct contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with clean water. Discontinue use if irritation develops.”

 

 

Practicality of use – user experience

Both wipes were very easy to use and did the job in the same way. The biggest issue here was the complete breakdown of the lid of the packaging of the B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes. That left the user experience being negative and disappointing.

Winner: The Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes gave a better user experience.

 

Results

Both wipes took off traces of dirt equally well and with the same ease, so in terms of function there isn’t a clear winner here. However, it is worth noting that both wipes also left the skin feeling dry afterwards (even though my skin is oily, so that’s an achievement!) which is not ideal either. Of course, you would follow up with a skincare routine so your skin would not be left dry but it perhaps indicates that they might not be as gentle as they should be.

If I had to be really picky I’d say that the Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes were a little more drying but the difference wasn’t enough to be considerable and both of them were drying either way.

Winner: Equal.

 

Ingredients

Generally speaking, the Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes have the worst ingredients but neither of them are amazing in this category anyways. On the other hand, cleansing products such as cleaning wipes, don’t need to be nutritious for the skin, they just need to clean.

The B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes contain 18 ingredients of which 12 will offer some skincare benefit, 1 potential negative and 6 irritants. The Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes 16 ingredients of which 9 will offer some skincare benefit, 4 potential negatives and 5 irritants.

To keep this article short, I am only listing the skin nourishing or skin positive/negative ingredients and ignoring the ones that only play formulation purposes. For the full list of ingredients scroll down to the “full list of ingredients” section.

 

Ingredient positives in the B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes:

1. Aqua based formulation.
2. PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides – Skin conditioner.
3. Polysorbate 20 – Can lubricate and sooth the skin.
4. Butylene Glycol– A humectant that can preserve water and a skin conditioner.
5. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice – Skin conditioner, locks moisture in (=humectant). Some consider it to have anti-flammatory properties and protects against UV-damage. This is not a sunscreen and you still need SPF. Some have reported it to stimulate collage production and therefore, reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
6. Tocopheryl Acetate – A more stable form of vitamin E. A hero anti-oxidant molecule. A skin conditioner that also enhances the ability of sunscreens. Can help with inflammation. Check out: Vitamins C & E – Do they work in skin care?
7. Hamamelis Virginiana Water – A skin conditioner and astringent (=causes contraction of skin cells and other body tissues – in cosmetics astringents are most famous for reducing redness and the appearance of veins) making this compound effective for local application on bruises, sore muscles, varicose veins and inflammation. Some research suggests that it has anti-oxidant and anti-flammatory effects and that it is even an effective in reducing eczema.
8. Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract – A skin conditioner that contains small amounts of vitamin C, caffeic acid (an antioxidant), fatty acids, the mineral silica, and other trace minerals giving it anti-oxidant properties.
9. Glycerin – Found naturally in the skin so can be seen as a skin replenishing ingredient. A skin conditioner that helps improve and smooth the appearance of skin. A good moisturiser that is almost always present in moisturising products.
10. Sodium Gluconate– Skin conditioner.
11. Sodium Citrate– An anti-oxidant and preservative.
12. Citric Acid– A natural preservative, can be used to even out skin tone.

 

Ingredient positives in the Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes:

1. Aqua based formulation.
2. Cetearyl Isononanoate – A hair and skin conditioner.
3. Glycerin – Found naturally in the skin so can be seen as a skin replenishing ingredient. A skin conditioner that helps improve and smooth the appearance of skin. A good moisturiser that is almost always present in moisturising products.
4. Glyceryl Stearate – A lubricant giving smooth and soft skin appearance.
   Easily penetrates skin, slows water from escaping by forming barrier, anti-oxidant.
5. Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice – Skin conditioner, locks moisture in (=humectant). Some consider it to have anti-flammatory properties and protects against UV-damage. This is not a sunscreen and you still need SPF. Some have reported it to stimulate collage production and therefore, reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
6. Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) – A hair and skin conditioner as well as an anti-static agent.
7. Tocopheryl Acetate – A more stable form of vitamin E. A hero anti-oxidant molecule. A skin conditioner that also enhances the ability of sunscreens. Can help with inflammation. Check out: Vitamins C & E – Do they work in skin care?
8. Zinc Gluconate – An antiviral agent or cosmetic biocide often used in acne treatments. Can accelerate wound healing.
9. Sodium Citrate– An anti-oxidant and preservative.

 

 

Ingredient negatives in the B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes:

1. Dehydroacetic Acid – A preservative, fungicide and bactericide killing off and preventing the growth of microorganisms. Controversial reports, some classify this as toxic and others as safe.

 

Ingredient negatives in the Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes:

1. Ceteareth-20– Might enhance the penetration of some ingredients. However, this is not always a negative.
2. Ceteareth-12 – Might enhance the penetration of some ingredients. However, this is not always a negative.
3. Zinc Gluconate – A cosmetic biocide considered as a moderate hazard by the Cosmetic Database and considered to be potentially toxic.
4. Dehydroacetic Acid – A preservative, fungicide and bactericide killing off and preventing the growth of microorganisms. Controversial reports, some classify this as toxic and others as safe.

 

 

Ingredients that can cause irritation to some:

This is actually really case specific, as different people have different sensitivities and allergies. Just because a compound has been reported by some to cause sensitivity, it doesn’t mean you will have an issue. “Sensitizer” compounds being present is not a negative in my opinion, as this is the case with pretty much everything out there and funnily enough I’ve seen products that are targeted specifically for sensitive skin, containing some compounds that have been reported by some, or are known to be, sensitizers.

If you have sensitive skin or you are prone to skin sensitisation and unwanted reactions, try a little bit of this at the back of your hand first and consult a medical doctor if you are concerned.

Check out: What is sensitive skin? What are the causes and what can we do?

The following compounds present in the B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes been either proven or claimed by some to be sensitizers, irritants, allergens etc: Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG- 35 Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid.

The following compounds present in the Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes have been either proven or claimed by some to be sensitizers, irritants, allergens etc: Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Gluconate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid.

 

Full list of ingredients in the B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Cleansing Wipes:

Aqua, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, PEG- 35 Castor Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.

 

Full list of ingredients in the Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes:

Aqua, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-12, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid.

 

 

Verdict

I can’t say that these wipes are great and I’m afraid I wouldn’t recommend them. Unfortunately, even if you are on a budget there might be better options out there. The search continues!

 

 

I am not affiliated with any company or brand. These are my views and experiences.

Beauty is a very personal thing, we all have different skin, requirements and biological build which can influence things. What worked for me might not work for you and vice versa. Have you ever tried these products? Did they work for you? Let me know your experiences below!

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