Wet wipes by their very definition are impregnated wipes, but what is this "Wet" stuff.
Is it just water?
What else is in the liquid of wet wipes?
What gives it good cleaning properties?
Water is the main ingredient and serves as a carrier and diluent for the other ingredients.
The application of solution depends on what function of wipes you want to achieve.
Main ingredients found within the formulations of Wet Wipes:
1) Preservatives
There are two main types of solutions found in wet wipes, these are an aqueous or emulsion based
solution. Both require preservatives in order to protect them from bacterial or even fungal
contamination and most importantly protect the consumer.
Preservatives do this by stopping micro-organisms from multiplying in a product.
2)Fragrance
The all important pleasant smelling scent from a wipe, the fragrance is made from aroma
compounds added to the formulation. These compounds are made of volatile chemicals that
create an odour which can be sensed by the olfactory receptors in the nose.
3) Surfactants
Surfactants or ‘surface active agents’ can be found in the formulation of wet wipes. Their role is to
lower the surface tension of water making it easier to remove material, for example, soil from
surface or skin. They also provide a cleaning effect by being able to dissolve dirt.
4) Emollients
Emollients are another ingredient that can be found in Wet Wipes. Their role is to help keep the
skin dry, not by putting moisture into the skin, but by reducing water loss through a protective film
on the skin. They are typically used to treat dry skin conditions such as eczema and are particularly
important in both to reduce itching and protecting against environmental irritants.
Other Ingredients:
1) PH adjusters
The formulation often contains a pH adjuster such as Citric Acid or Sodium Citrate. This is common
in skin care wet wipe products, where you will often see ‘pH balanced’ on the packaging. The pH is
set around 4.5 -5.0 which is close to that of healthy skin.
2) Anti-oxidants
In a formulation potentially some oils could turn rancid due to oxidation and give off an unpleasant
odour. If those oils are present anti- oxidants are included like Vitamin E acetate in order to
prevent oxidation from occurring.
3) Moisturizers
Moisturisers such as D-Panthenol can be added to a formulation to help increase the water
content of the skin and keep if soft. These are typically found in skin care products such as makeup
removal wipes, face wipes and hand wipes.
