The answer, while a major topic of debate among beauty enthusiasts and experts alike, can be found in science. Rachel Lee Lozina, a licensed esthetician, laser technician, oncology esthetician, and owner of Blue Water Spa in New York, broke down the sometimes elusive facts. 'Most makeup removers contain harmful ingredients such as alcohol and sodium laurel sulfate which strip the skin of natural oils and can compromise the barrier, which in turn can cause dryness, acne, and irritated skin.'

The hero product: Byrdie associate editorial director Holly Rhue calls Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, “a blush for people afraid of blush,” a liquid formula that melts into skin for naturally flushed cheeks. It’s basically foolproof, even for those who are devoted powder blush users, and we also appreciate that it comes in four shades in both matte and radiant finishes. Just like the Neutrogena wipes, Cle de Peau recently reformulated these towelettes. Though they’re not quite as saturated as they used to be, we find that they still effectively cleanse our face without any tugging or irritation. The hero product: Arguably one of the most iconic complexion products of all time, there’s a good reason why Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is a true cult-classic, a staple for pro makeup artists and devoted customers alike. It’s surprisingly versatile, easily sheered out, or built-up depending on how you apply it, though always delivers a velvety-yet-radiant finish. This was the brand’s first product and to celebrate the recent 20th anniversary, they also added 10 new shades to the line, bringing the total up to 40. The brand: Talk about a classic. Maybelline was created in, wait for it, 1915 when founder Thomas Lyle Williams created a mascara-esque product. (It makes sense that they’re still largely known for their amazing line-up of mascaras.) Flash forward to today and it’s one of the best-selling cosmetics brands in the country, continually impressing us with both innovative new launches alongside their tried-and-true staples. The hero product: It’s a tough call to make, but we’re going to say it’s their latest launch. Five Byrdie editors (all with different types of lashes and mascara preferences) took The Big Clean Volumizing + Lash Care Mascara for a test run—and all loved it. Creating the standout formula was no easy feat; it took the brand over 104 iterations to get it right. It touts a seriously oversized, curved brush to help curl each and every lash, and a volumizing, buildable, clump-free formula infused with hair-conditioning ingredients.What We Love: These remove makeup and grime without that dreaded burning sensation that comes with some makeup removing wipes. Melanie Grant is a skin expert and advanced esthetician with clinics in Los Angeles, Sydney, and Melbourne. What to Look for in Makeup Remover Wipes Gentle or Oil-Based Ingredients The hero product: Iman Cosmetics boasts plenty of great foundations, concealers, and powders, but the brand's Luxury Concealing Foundation may just be our favorite. Along with the beautiful shade options available for a range of deeper complexions, the formula itself is noteworthy. Buildable and full-coverage, it’s ideal for using all over or to spot-conceal certain areas. It’s also infused with skin-loving antioxidants, which is always a good thing. What We Love: CeraVe’s hydrating wipes are ultra-gentle on skin and don’t leave behind a greasy film like some makeup remover wipes are wont to do.

It’s worth noting that though the formula is fragrance-free, the wipes have a chemical-like scent. It isn’t overpowering in any way, but we’d be lying if we said it wasn’t a little off-putting. The brand: Plenty of brands tout using skincare ingredients in their formulas (and many do), but this is the only makeup line we’ve seen created in partnership with plastic surgeons. The end result? High-tech formulas filled with good-for-your-skin actives, that truly make a difference for your complexion both immediately and in the long-term. It’s no surprise that they're known for their complexion-perfecting products, a go-to for many women, particularly those with issues such as rosacea (including founder Jamie Kern Lima) and acne. If sustainability is your primary concern, you might want to avoid makeup wipes altogether. While they’re more than fine on the skin, makeup removing wipes aren’t the best for the environment given their single-use nature. That being said, many brands now create wipes that are plant-based and biodegradable, including CeraVe Hydrating Makeup Removing Plant-Based Wipes and Colorescience Hydrating Cleansing Cloths. There are a couple of reasons for this change. First and foremost, I wanted a more sustainable option. When I use a liquid or balm remover, I can utilize a washable cotton pad instead of discarding a wipe each time. Additionally, many wipes tend to excessively dry out my skin, which is already prone to dryness. After using a wipe, my skin would often feel parched and slightly irritated. This is due to the rubbing motion and certain ingredients in some wipes that can irritate sensitive skin. Lastly, there are numerous outstanding liquid and balm formulas available that are highly effective, even for waterproof makeup removal. The brand: With a tagline that reads “spellbinding natural color,” and product names like Devil’s Claw and Love Spell, there’s a distinct mystical, magical vibe to this brand, which still flies somewhat under the radar.It’s a favorite of Byrdie Editorial Director Faith Xue, who refers to it as, “witchy makeup,” and is also a standout clean option; all of the products are made with 99 percent natural ingredients. Unique colors and textures are also a mainstay.

What We Love: These three-in-one wipes function as a makeup remover, cleanser, and toner ultimately simplifying your routine. We particularly like these for dry skin because each towelette is infused with hyaluronic acid and coconut extract to deeply moisturize, while antioxidant-rich white and green tea leaf extracts provide protection from environmental aggressors. The hero product: Blurring the line between concealer and foundation, The Sensual Skin Enhancer is one of the brand’s best-selling products for good reason. It’s crazy, crazy pigmented (so a little goes a long way), perfect for spot correcting areas, or buffing out for more allover coverage. Still, it’s non-cakey and contains plenty of hydrating and smoothing ingredients to never settle into fine lines, and comes in a nice line-up of 16 shades. What We Don’t Love: Similar to the Neutrogena wipes, these were recently reformulated and aren’t as saturated as they used to be.

Though these wipes have been around for years, Neutrogena recently reformulated them and we find that they’re not quite as saturated as they used to be. This has led to a bit of skin tugging, though not enough to cause any irritation.

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The brand: This international fashion house is also a key player on the luxury beauty scene, and has been ever since they first launched in 2000. The makeup takes a cue from the fashion, with the same timeless, classic vibe, not to mention incredibly high-performing formulas. And yes, ICYW, Mr. Armani himself is in fact very involved.