Why shouldn't adults use baby wipes?

Many people have switched from toilet paper to baby wipes. We understand that they are softer and moister, and can leave your butt feeling fresher and cleaner than rough, dry paper.

This makes us wonder: if those adults use diaper wipes, are they really better (or worse) at keeping private parts clean? In other words, should anyone over the age of 2 use baby wipes after a bowel movement?

It turns out that using baby wipes has some serious downsides. Against all odds, they can irritate the butt and maybe even the genitals.

Contraindications

Yes, adults can use baby wipes, although they do have some drawbacks. First of all, they are not very equipped to handle bacteria. They can also trigger allergies or even infections due to the moisture content, so we must dry the area after use. Lastly, flushing wipes down the toilet is bad for the environment, not to mention your repair bill.

skin irritation

Although we may think that baby wipes can leave skin as clean and soft as a newborn’s bottom, the truth is that they can cause severe skin irritation in some people.

In fact, the fragrances and preservatives used in wipes can be a source of skin allergies. These irritating ingredients can upset the delicate skin below, causing unpleasant (or painful) symptoms like dryness, itching, redness, burning, stinging, and flaking.

Increased moisture

Another notable issue is the humidity they leave behind. Baby wipes introduce moisture to whatever area you’re cleaning, so make sure to thoroughly dry that area afterward. Failing to do that could lead to the spread of bacteria cultures, which usually leads to skin rashes and other potentially nasty infections. It is not a very common problem, but you have to take into account the risk regardless.

Baby wipes are water-based, so they tend to use certain preservatives to lock in that moisture for long-term use. It also means that wipes don’t actually expire, at least not in the usual way we think.

Make dry skin or eczema worse

If we have a history of skin conditions like eczema, baby wipes can make the problem worse. In people with sensitive skin, the preservatives found in many brands of baby wipes can aggravate skin reactions.

They are not recommended for use by people who have dry skin or conditions such as eczema. Even fragrance-free wipes can cause irritation in these people.

They do not kill bacteria

Baby wipes are primarily designed to remove organic material from the body without irritating the skin. This is because they are typically water-based, which makes them easier on the body than adult wipes; they are usually alcohol-based and can dry out the skin with frequent use.

This feature also means that they are pretty bad at removing oil or oil-based products. While using baby wipes may make the area feel cleaner, it won’t actually do much to clean pores or remove excess makeup. The worst part is that they are pretty good at dealing with lingering odors.

They usually have a modest amount of soap and other cleaning products, but this is not enough for true disinfection.

vaginitis

Baby wipes can also trigger an episode of vaginitis (ie, irritation of the vagina or vulva). Vaginitis occurs whenever there is a disturbance in the healthy chemical balance of the vagina. This imbalance can occur if you have an allergic reaction or sensitivity to a product like baby wipes.

And since the vagina is self-cleaning, trying to wash it from the inside can only create more irritation. That means that if we choose to use baby wipes, we will use them only on the external parts, not inside the genitals or anus. And always wipe from front to back to avoid potentially spreading harmful bacteria (found in stool) to the urethra, which can cause infection.

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The best baby wipes for adults

Whether baby wipes irritate your butt usually depends on the ingredients. The ones that we should mainly look for and be attentive to are:

  • ​Fragrance-Free or Fragrance-Free : No matter who they are used for, it is recommended to use fragrance-free wipes to avoid potential skin reactions.
  • No Harsh Chemicals or Additives – We’ll look for wipes that are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic dyes, which can strip the skin’s natural moisture and further irritate dry skin.
  • Alcohol -free – Alcohol can be very drying, especially for people prone to dry skin.
  • Environmentally friendly – ​​Using baby wipes shouldn’t come at a cost to the planet. We will try to opt for wipes that are biodegradable and compostable. It will be even better if they come in recyclable containers.

Alternatives

We don’t need to use baby wipes to keep private parts sparkling clean. We can try these simple, chemical-free, wipe-free ways to wash ourselves after the poo session:

  • Toilet paper and water : Unscented, undyed toilet paper is best. We can wet with water and clean the area gently.
  • A bidet – a little bit of water will do the trick. Yes, after going to the bathroom, we can use the bidet or a handheld shower to sufficiently clean the area.
  • Wet Paper – Wet tissues are the eco-friendly alternative to disposable wipes. It leaves us with the same feeling of freshness as wet wipes while flushing the chain with the same safety as toilet paper. In addition, most do not contain perfume that can irritate intimate skin.