BCAM supports plans to eliminate wet wipes

The British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) has spoken out in support for an announcement made by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) pledging to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste, including single-use products that include plastic such as wet wipes. 

BCAM spokesperson and director of London Aesthetic Clinic, Dr Uliana Gout, provided research supporting that not only does she believe that wet wipes contribute to polluting the earth, but they could also be responsible for aggravation of some specific skin conditions. 

She explained, “I believe there is definitely a link between certain skin conditions being aggravated when using certain wet wipes, particularly in patients with rosacea and eczema. This has been evidenced by numerous studies. Furthermore, although many wipes contain the same ingredients as cleansers including surfactants, solublisers and emulsifiers, the mechanical rubbing process without rinsing means that you are redistributing the make-up or dirt elsewhere on the face and only achieving a partial cleanse. I think there is somewhat of a misconception that one is actually cleaning their face fully. 

“Importantly, we have to note the effects some non-biodegradable wipes have on our environment in relation to plastic pollution and sewage blockages. I would advise as an industry we review our daily practices and take note of the concerns arising from the use of facial/body wet wipes, which have become the norm for much of the global population.” 

BCAM president, Dr Paul Charlson added, “Some wet wipes can damage the skin’s natural lipid layer leading to irritant dermatitis whilst others contain potential allergens such as Methylsothiazoline which can lead to contact dermatitis. Apart from the environmental aspect of reducing wet wipe use it would seem sensible to do reduce their use for clinical reasons.”