Wipes are disposable wet napkins that are handy for cleaning. The origin of wipes has been around the 1950s. There are two main types of wipes available in the market. They are baby wipes and face wipes. Both the wipes have distinct differences and features to offer.
Baby Wipes vs Face Wipes
The main difference between baby wipes and face wipes is that the purpose of baby wipes is to remove fecal matter and urine from the skin of the baby. On the other hand, the purpose of face wipes is to clean the face and also to break down makeup from the skin.
Baby wipes are softer and more hydrated wipes. They are very gentle on the skin and do not irritate the skin. Some renowned brands of baby wipes are Huggies, Pampers, Honest, Seventh Generation, and various other popular brands.
While face wipes are rougher than baby wipes. They are not as gentle as baby wipes. They may irritate the skin and cause allergies. Face wipes can be drying on the skin as it has alcohol ingredients in the wipes. Some face wipes also contain disinfecting properties and can be used to clean surfaces and hands.
Comparison Table Between Baby Wipes and Face Wipes
| Parameters of Comparison | Baby wipes | Face wipes |
| Formulation type | The formulation of baby wipes is to remove organic material | The formulation of face wipes is true to keep the pores of the skin clean and also help in breaking down oils and waxes from the skin |
| Designed for | Baby wipes are designed for small babies and toddlers | Face wipes are designed for adults |
| Chemical constituents | Baby wipes contain less amount of chemical constituents | Face wipes contain a higher amount of chemical contents and cleaners in the wipes |
| Constituent fragrance | Baby wipes do not have any added perfume fragrance or scent in it | Face wipes have added perfume fragrance or scent in it |
| Allergic reactions | All baby wipes are hypoallergenic | Some face wipes are hypoallergenic but not all |
What is Baby Wipes?
Baby wipes are a type of wet wipes. These wipes are pieces of cloth or plastic that are moistened. The moistening of the wipes is done by various saturated solutions. These solutions contain ingredients that help in gentle cleansing. The wipes are folded and wrapped up in a case of the dispenser which can be torn off individually.
The pack of baby wipes is different from other wipes. They usually have more sheets which range from 80 or more. The packs also have a dispensing mechanism in them. Baby wipes had originated in the middle of the 1950s when there was a steep rise in the number of people traveling. There was a constant rush and hurry of cleaning up on the go while people were traveling.
Baby wipes were first produced by the Nice-Pak company. The company had launched paper cloth in the size of napkins which were saturated with a perfumed skin cleanser. The innovation in baby wipes was brought by Rockline Industries of Sheboygan, in Wisconsin. They introduced pop-up packs in the refill pack of the baby wipes.
Kimberly Clark’s Huggies wipes followed by Procter and Gamble’s Pampers wipes were first marketed as baby wipes. As the technology off-producing wipes became more viable and affordable, more brands joined in, by the end of the 1990s, most stores had started producing their wipes under a private label brand. However various green-minded parents avoid using such baby wipes and use wetted cotton cloth as an alternative.
What is Face Wipes?
Face wipes also known as facial tissues are wipes or handkerchiefs that are mainly used for cleansing the skin. These wipes are soft, disposable, and are wetted in solutions. The saturated solutions in face wipes contain cleaners that are alcohol-based and help in cleansing the skin. Face wipes are used as an alternative for cloth handkerchiefs.
The production of face wipes is from non-woven fabrics. These fabrics are made of polypropylene or polyester. Around 90% of face wipes have similar constituent fabrics. The solution material in the face wipes is mainly isopropyl alcohol. The wipes are often treated with perfume, softeners, and lotions to regulate the properties like olfactory and tactile of the wipes.
Face wipes also contain various preservatives primarily methylisothiazolinone. Such preservatives help in the prevention of fungal and bacterial growth in moistened wipes. The final face wipes are then folded and packed in a box dispenser. They are useful in removing sweat and dirt from the face and providing a refreshing feel to the skin.
Face wipes are also extensively used for makeup removal or as cleansing pads. Such wipes which are used in the beauty industry also contain added ingredients like vitamins, salicylic acid menthol, and other solutions which are beneficial for the skin. Some face wipes may have anti-acne properties, anti-spot criteria, and other variants. Face wipes are also used for cleaning hands as the fabric can absorb the residue effectively.
Main Differences Between Baby Wipes and Face Wipes
- Baby wipes contain alcohol in a lower percentage while face wipes contain alcohol in a higher percentage.
- Baby wipes have anti-bacterial properties while face wipes do not have any anti-bacterial properties.
- Baby wipes do not have anti-acne or anti-spot properties while face wipes have anti-acne and anti-spot properties.
- Baby wipes are designed to remove organic matter from a baby’s skin while face wipes are designed to remove dirt and sweat from the skin.
- Baby wipes contain preservatives in a lower percentage while face wipes contain preservatives in a higher percentage.
Conclusion
The origin of both baby wipes and face wipes has been during different time frames. Both the wipes were designed for different usage and functionalities. Both the wipes are paper cloth napkin-sized and are saturated with solutions that are effective in cleansing.
Both have a similar goal of cleansing. However, the ingredients used in both the wipes for cleansing are different. There are various renowned companies in both types of wipes that produce the wipes in different packaging and sizes. The users need to evaluate all the points of distinction before deciding on the wipes.
References
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pde.14112
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ajd.12062