Sunday, July 24, 2011

Swipes Lovin' Wipes

I recently received a package of Swipes Lovin' Wipes from Swipes in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give it a positive review.

I found Swipes on Facebook. I knew they were wipes, but not much more than that did I know; I hadn't tried them. I asked them if I could review a pack, and they were more than happy to send me a pack to check out.

Swipes are marketed as wipes to use before and after intimate encounters, but I found that they are more than that. I actually liked how well they cleaned Kiddo's hiney after a stinky, smeary diaper. It only took one wipe, and afterwards his hiney smelled like cucumber, not alcohol and baby powder.

Swipes come in two scents: cucumber and unscented. I received some of both.

Unscented Swipes are made using only Purified water, Phospholipid CDM (coconut oil derived mild skin cleanser), Butylene glycol, Polysorbate 20 (wetting agent), Aloe barbadensis leaf juice (aloe, skin conditioner and moisturizer), Glycerin, Sodium citrate, Silver citrate, Citric acid, and Vitamin E Acetate.

Cucumber Swipes are made using only Purified water, Phospholipid CDM (coconut oil derived mild skin cleanser), Butylene glycol, Polysorbate 20 (wetting agent), Cucumber, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice (aloe, skin conditioner and moisturizer), Glycerin, Sodium citrate, Silver citrate, Citric acid, and Vitamin E Acetate.

I am a little concerned about a few of the products above. According to the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, a few of the ingredients fall into the "moderate hazard" category. Polysorbate 20 and silver citrate rate a 3 and vitamin e acetate rates a 4. All other ingredients are in the low hazard range, mostly zero.
Hazard score key from Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
That said, Polysorbate 20 and Silver Citrate are restricted for use in Canada, but allowed by the USA's FDA. Why the discrepancy, I don't know. Vitamin E Acetate (or tocopheryl acetate) is only a concern at very high doses as a cancer risk. I feel these wipes don't have enough of any of these ingredients to do any damage if used as designed. I feel that they are, overall, body safe. Just don't eat them.

Swipes are designed to be flushed or composted as they are made from viscose and lyocell fibers, which have not been chlorine bleached, that will break up easily. Also, the packaging uses much less plastic than standard pop-up personal wipes. The seal on top is similar to the kind that just peel up and go back in place, but is much sturdier. I like that. I don't feel as bad about throwing this package away at the end of their life as I do some of the pop-up wipes I'd grab at the drugstore.

I'd actually like to see Swipes come in a larger container or bag so that it could be used as a refill pack for Kiddo's Cars diaper wipe box. I've not liked a wipe as much as I have these.

I did, indeed, try them for "before and after intimate encounters" as suggested. I found that there was no irritation or burning like I have with other wipes. Generally, there is some alcohol in the other wipes. Also, I didn't have any residue or lingering ickiness after use. The Swipes easily cleaned up the fluids that were on my body, and I felt quite fresh "down there."

They also started breaking down as soon as they were dropped into the toilet, so I don't feel like there will be any septic issues. I certainly couldn't do that with most other wipes! Body safe and environmentally friendly! I like this!

I am particularly fond of the cucumber-scented Swipes. It's not a heavy cucumber scent, and it's not a long-lasting scent, either. I tend toward cucumber or cucumber melon scented bath items, so this blends in quite nicely.

Also, the container is simply decorated with text (nothing x-rated) and leaves, so there's nothing to be ashamed of if you leave them out on the bathroom counter.

Swipes are available in Unscented and Cucumber and packs of 42 wipes each for $4.99 and sample packs with two individually sealed wipes of each type for $2.99. The sample packs are great if you just want to try the wipes, or if you want to travel and take them with you and not fool with taking the larger pack.

What do I love better than a good product? A coupon code! Use code LOVIN at Swipes.com and save 50% off your order.

I rate these four stars, simply because of the ratings of some ingredients. I would definitely be a repeat purchaser though, especially if they'd come out with larger packages.

4 comments:

Fish with Max said...

We would like to thank you for publishing this review and take this opportunity to allay any concerns.

According to the EWG, Swipes Lovin WIpes Scored a total of: 0-2 on their Hazard Score Key.

The concern I saw was on Vitamin E Acetate, Polysorbate 20, and Sodium/Silver Citrate which are human personal care, cosmetic additives use-diluted in very small concentrations of less than 1 percent in the master formula that they don’t even come close to the health and safety concentration thresholds these ingredients were tested under.

In addition, these items come into contact with the outside of human skin only, and are not being ingested into the body. For example, Polysorbate 20 is a widely accepted solubilizer having a food additive status given to it by the FDA, and you’ll find it used in everything from mouthwashes, salad dressings, and even an excipient in pharmaceutical drugs.

I hope this helps. Thank you for sharing the "Lovin"

Swipes Lovin Wipes said...

I see Max,Swipes CFO has already commented! But the rest of the Swipes Lovin team would like to thank you again as well!

And remember to subscribe to our blog for more Sexy and green tips!

Best,

Swipes

Unknown said...

"...very small concentrations of less than 1 percent in the master formula that they don’t even come close to the health and safety concentration thresholds these ingredients were tested under."

That was pretty much what I was thinking. Even though they rate higher on Skin Deep, I figured they were such a small amount that it didn't really pose a risk. Thanks for your clarifications, Max! :)

amanda a said...

these look amazing i need to get me some of these. and they are are not even expensive for such high quality