Bye-Bye Face Wipes: Lush Launches Reusable, Biodegradable Cleansing Pads! [Review]
As convenient as they may be, makeup removing wet wipes have come under fire recently for the damaging effects they to have on the environment. We get it, it’s just so easy; open the packet, swish a wipe over your face and there you are: clean and clear. But, as the world wakes up to the dangers of single-use pieces of plastic such as face wipes, which pile up on towering landfills or swamp the rivers and oceans, it seems like the era of face wipes may be coming to an end. But that doesn’t mean that the convenience has to end and lazy girls everywhere have Lush to thank for that. The environmentally conscious beauty brand is changing the skin cleansing game with a brand new ‘naked’ beauty innovation: Reusable, Biodegradable Cleansing Pads! Here’s the low down on the new packing-free Lush Cleansing Pads.
Wipes (in all their forms: facial, wet, cleaning, baby, etc), are not like toilet tissue. Due to their plastic-based composition they can’t be recycled or flushed away. They won’t rot or break down. Instead, they’ll continue to clog water systems, with facial wipes making up 93% of the material found in sewer blockages, according to Water UK. Or worse, they’ll get washed out into the rivers and ultimately the sea; reeking devastation on the environment. Preservatives in conventional wipes, used to keep the product from going off, are another issue; not only questionable in terms of the unknown effects on our health, but because the chemicals ultimately end up in our water cycle. But it’s not only the environment which is suffering because of conventional wipes. Reports suggest they can also be detrimental to our skin; not really cleaning the skin at all, and the synthetic chemical ingredients can actually leave skin dry and irritated.
With impeccable green credentials, the all new Lush 7 to 3 reusable cleansing pads offer lazy lasses the convenience of a face wipe with the luxury of Lush’s famous 9 To 5 cream cleanser. The circular, self-preserving, naked face pads, are perfect for removing light makeup and can be used on their own or as a pre-wash solution before a thorough cleanse. Even with Lush’s other cleansers like the cult favourite, Ultrabland, you have to apply it and then remove it with a face cloth or cotton pads, but with this you don’t have to do that. You just need a little bit of warm water with it. The pads can be used around three to five times before they disintegrate and are sure to make being a plant-friendly babe infinitely easier.
Made from a delicious mix of ingredients, including fresh dove orchid infusion, ground cannellini beans and vegan glycerine, the Lush 7 to 3 reusable cleansing pads are basically 9 To 5, just not in a bottle and not self preserving. Of course, the 7 To 3 wipes feature a bounty of other beneficial properties rather than just makeup removal: the finely ground cannellini bean base gently exfoliates, clarifying fresh dove orchid infusion settles the skin and restores balance, moisturising carrageenan (extracted from Irish moss seaweed) nourishes the skin, whilst ylang ylang tones and provides a sweet heady scent that uplifts and calms.
Using the Lush 7 To 3 pads is super easy. The pads have a smooth side and a slightly exfoliating side, and it’s recommended that you start with the coarser side by dampening a corner to activate the light cleansing cream. Glide the pad over your wet face and neck area, gently working it into the skin, then rinse clean. To remove eye makeup, just sweep the smooth side back and forth over the eyes and use clean, reusable cotton pads or a face cloth to remove any residue. Then tone and moisturise as normal.
I’ve used my Lush pad a handful of times now and I’m already OBSESSED with it. The hype is most definitely real and if you’re a lazy lass like me, you’ll adore these easy-to-use wonders. The pad does take a little getting used to on your first or second try. Like a real rookie, I dunked the whole pad in water the first time I used it and the pad became a little too slimy and was difficult to hold. I’d recommend watching the ‘how to’ video above before using these for the first time just so you know how to hold it and where to wet it, etc. Once you get the knack of that I’m sure you’ll never look back. Teething issues aside, the pad removes makeup like an absolute boss. I had a full face of makeup on the first time I used it and was taken aback at how effectively it removed my layers of makeup and even my stubborn waterproof mascara. Not only did my face feel super clean after using my Lush 7 To 3 pad but my skin also felt soft and smooth.
To ensure you can reuse the pad another day, gently rub it clean with a drop of warm water. Leave it to air dry in a clean dry receptacle such as a soap dish that drains. Don’t allow it to sit in a pool of water. Each pad has a shelf-life of roughly seven days once made wet, and you’ll get between three to five uses out of it, after which you can toss it in on the compost heap or in your food bin where it will harmlessly biodegrade.
The Lush 7 to 3 Cleansing Wipes are available from Lush stores in South Africa as well as online via the Lush website at R34.50 each but hurry, these babies are selling out fast!
Want more beauty finds and reviews? Check out our Beauty section for more exciting reading!