Buzz
When I discovered Zyrtec face wipes, I was both shocked and curious. I’ve taken Zyrtec pills before to combat my seasonal pollen allergies (though they’ll never dethrone my true favorite, Claritin). Could applying this directly to my face soothe my itchy eyes? As it turns out, yes, but not for the reason I initially assumed.
Anti-allergy face wipes contain no medication
As I was buying a pack of wipes, I spotted a small detail in the fine print: These were labeled as ‘non-medicated’ wipes. The pack includes an ingredient list but lacks a Drug Facts label, confirming there’s no allergy medication in these wipes. Zyrtec tablets contain cetirizine, an antihistamine. (Histamines are produced by our bodies when we have an allergic reaction, and antihistamines help alleviate these symptoms.) We’ve become so accustomed to associating a brand with its active ingredient that it’s easy to assume, like I did, that the branded wipes would contain medication. But they don’t: Zyrtec, the brand, makes both cetirizine pills and non-medicated face wipes.
Some online retailers are clearly mixed up. Target’s website lists the wipes as 'non-medicated' and 'with cetirizine,' which is impossible. (They don’t actually contain cetirizine.)
You could simply grab regular face wipes... or just wash your face
So what’s the purpose of these wipes if they aren’t medicating? Their main role is to clear away pollen, dust, and other allergens from your skin, preventing them from lingering and causing irritation. No medicine is necessary to do this; washing your face would work just fine.
But washing your face isn't always the easiest option, which is where face wipes come in. They’re available in any drugstore, typically in the makeup and personal care sections. Plus, they’re often more affordable: I saw Zyrtec wipes at CVS for $7.99 for a pack of 25, then walked to the other side of the store to find CVS-brand 'micellar' wipes for $5.99 and 'sensitive skin' wipes for $5.59. All three were identical, except for the labels.
(While I’m at it, let me vent about how identical products are sometimes labeled and priced differently. The two varieties of store-brand wipes I found had the exact same ingredient list, yet they were priced differently. 'Micellar' simply refers to a liquid cleanser that’s emulsified; it’s not some extraordinary feature. On the other hand, Zyrtec’s wipes come in both regular and children’s versions. The only difference? The children’s package has rocket ships on it.)
By opting for wipes without Zyrtec’s branding, you can save a couple of dollars. Alternatively, you could pick up a bottle of micellar water and use it with tissues or cotton balls, or simply wash your face with your favorite cleanser. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America also recommends showering at night to wash off any pollen you might have gathered outdoors, and wearing sunglasses to shield your eyes from pollen when outside.
