Why Are Neutrogena Makeup Wipes Being Recalled?
Beauty recalls are hitting way too close to our beauty cabinets. Neutrogena’s popular makeup remover wipes have been recalled “out of an abundance of caution” over possible bacterial contamination. According to the FDA, the recalled wipes were distributed throughout Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas with lot number 1835U6325A, which can typically be found as a printed code on the back of the pouch. “The health and safety of the consumers who use our products is our top priority. Despite meeting release specifications, one lot of the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes, 50 ct. may have been impacted by procedural deficiencies observed during manufacturing,” Kenvue, parent company of Neutrogena said in a statement provided to the Cut.
The recall was initiated on September 19th and on October 3rd it was classified as a Class II recall, meaning a product could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems. According to the recall, there were 1,312 cases affecting products that tested positive for pluralibacter gergoviae during an internal investigation. “We have taken the action to voluntarily recall the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes, 50ct (LOT 1835U6325A) at the retail level,” Kenvue said. Pluralibacter gergoviae is an infection that can cause skin rashes or mild irritation, depending on the severity of the cases, the infection can also lead to fevers, respiratory complications and sepsis. It is rare to develop an infection, but possible, especially for individuals with weakened immune systems. No infections or illnesses have been reported yet.
The 25-pack of towelettes sealed in the brand’s signature baby blue resealable pouch have been a classic beauty staple in households, the first makeup cleansing product that beauty girls were introduced to (including Cut girls). They were first released in 1998 and have gone through a few formula changes throughout the years. In 2022, the new “clean” formula was introduced, a towelette with 100% plant-based fibers. The disposable wipes have always claimed to remove up to 99% of makeup (though I’d argue that percentage to be about 80%), while removing dirt, oil, sweat, sunscreen and other environmental factors in addition to makeup. They’ve always been accessible too, found in drugstores like CVS and Walgreens and retailers including Ulta, Amazon, Target and even DSW, yes, the shoe retailer.
In recent years they’ve become available in miniature travel-friendly single packs sold in a bag of twenty. This past August they tapped beloved makeup artist and founder, Danessa Myricks for a partnership with their signature wipes. The collaboration towelette pouch is named “Get Ready Glam” with Myricks’s face on the cover as she uses the wipes on a model. “#1 makeup remover wipe brand used by makeup artists,” the packaging reads. This launched just days before the recall was initiated.
In their statement, Kenvue reassured consumers that, “No other Neutrogena products or other lots of the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes, 50 ct., are included in this recall.”