Face pads and makeup wipes can be considered the lazy way out of a “proper” cleanse. But, that’s anything but the case with the NassifMD Detox Facial Pads. So much more than a makeup wipe, these treatment pads actually remove all the residue that standard wipes leave behind. Paul Nassif, MD, a Beverly Hills, CA facial plastic surgeon you may know from Botched, created them to cleanse and exfoliate while also delivering anti-aging benefits. More than 2 million units have been sold since they launched in 2018, and thousands of rave reviews support the claims. Here, everything you need to know about this best-selling product.
The Benefits
These single-use face pads exfoliate and cleanse skin simultaneously, and who doesn’t love a good multitasker? Dr. Nassif says they “wipe away visible signs of aging and are formulated for nearly every skin type, age and concern.” My mom, 64, has had these pads on auto-ship from HSN for over a year, and swears by them. Her skin is beautiful, so it didn’t take much convincing for me to try them as well. They’re great for mature skin, but also for someone like me who has some lines and uneven skin tone, and wants to prevent them from getting worse.
Other benefits include a visible reduction in the appearance of pores and the incidence of breakouts, as well as a more even skin texture. This is due to the inclusion of glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids in the formula, which help skin look brighter and clearer. Bakuchiol, a gentler, plant-based alternative to retinol, and vitamin C are also in the mix. These two ingredients promote smoother skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and a boost in collagen production. Witch hazel is a key ingredient, too, and though it is astringent (it’s used in many toners), these pads won’t dry out the skin. In fact, they do the opposite by helping to provide moisture and hydration.
Key Ingredients
Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, bakuchiol, ectoin, vitamin C (3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid) and witch hazel
How to Use Them
You can use these pads after you wash your face, or in place of your cleanser. This is unique to these pads, as most similar products don’t advise being used in place of cleanser. However, these are so effective, Dr. Nassif is confident recommending they can be used this way. My mom often uses them to cleanse (she doesn’t wear a ton of heavy makeup) and has seen amazing results.
Gently swipe the pad across your face, avoiding your upper and lower eyelids. Do not rinse off afterward. Then follow with your normal skin-care routine, and always make sure to use SPF in the morning because of the acids in the formula. For those with dry skin, Dr. Nassif recommends using the pads two times a week, building up to daily use. For “normal” skin types, use the pads three times a week, building up to daily use. If you have oily skin, you can use the pads two times a day.
My mom has normal, mature skin and uses the pads twice a day. I consider my combination skin to be a little more sensitive, so I prefer nighttime use only. My sensitivities are also likely due to the sheer number of skin-care products I’m testing every week. However, I also want to point out that the pads do contain synthetic fragrance, so do a patch test first if you are sensitive to fragrance in your skin care.