When it comes to taking off your makeup, single-use wipes make the process quick and easy. But if you rely on this disposable beauty staple as part of your routine, you’ll want to pay attention to this news: The Food and Drug Administration has assigned a Class II risk level to Neutrogena’s Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes due to possible bacterial contamination.
Keep reading to get all the details about this recall — including where they were sold and what you should do if you have wipes that were impacted.
Why were Neutrogena’s Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes recalled?
The recalled wipes from Neutrogena were given a Class II risk level by the FDA — which is the second-highest risk level that the agency gives. Based on this, Kenvue Brands, LLC, the company that produces the wipes, voluntarily recalled 1,312 cases of the wipes based on the FDA’s assessment.
Through an internal investigation, Kenvue discovered the wipes tested positive for Pluralibacter gergoviae, a bacteria that’s resistant to preservatives commonly found in beauty products.
Though it is rare to develop an infection from Pluralibacter gergoviae, it can happen, according to findings published with the National Institute of Health. Those with weakened immune systems can be particularly at risk and exposure can lead to respiratory distress, urinary tract infections, eye infections, sepsis and more, according to a study published in the Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.
Here’s what you need to know about the recalled items to help you assess if you may have impacted product:
- Product: Neutrogena Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes, 50-count, 25-pack
- Lot number: 1835U6325A
- States sold in: Texas, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Kenvue has not issued any instructions on what to do if you have a recalled product. But given the recall, it’s probably best to stop using them and throw them away.
