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Is Pipette Wipes Clean?

📅 Updated February 2026⏱️ 4 min readNEW

TL;DR

Yes, Pipette Baby Wipes are clean and highly recommended. They are one of the few brands that avoid both phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate, relying instead on a gentle food-grade preservation system. Plus, they feature squalane, a sugarcane-derived moisturizer that mimics natural baby skin oils.

🔑 Key Findings

1

EWG Verified - Meets the strictest standards for ingredient transparency and safety.

2

No Sodium Benzoate - A rare find; most clean brands still use this potential irritant.

3

100% Plastic-Free - The cloth is made from FSC-certified plant fibers.

4

Squalane-Infused - Contains a proprietary sugarcane-derived moisturizer that supports the skin barrier.

The Short Answer

Yes, Pipette Baby Wipes are clean. In fact, they are among the safest and most gentle options available in 2026.

They are EWG Verified, meaning they meet the strictest standards for health and safety. Unlike many competitors that claim to be "natural" but still use potential irritants like Is Phenoxyethanol In Baby Wipes Safe or sodium benzoate, Pipette uses a food-grade preservation system that is exceptionally gentle on newborn skin.

The standout feature is squalane, a moisturizing ingredient derived from renewable sugarcane that mimics the vernix (the waxy coating on a newborn's skin).

Why This Matters

Most "clean" baby wipes are 99% water, but the remaining 1% matters. That small percentage usually contains preservatives to prevent mold. While necessary, preservatives like sodium benzoate and phenoxyethanol can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive babies. Pipette avoids both.

Instead, they use levulinic acid and potassium sorbate, which are generally considered gentler. This makes them a top choice for babies who seem to react to every other brand of "hypoallergenic" wipes.

They are also 100% plastic-free. The wipe material is made from FSC-certified wood pulp, addressing the massive environmental issue of microplastics in landfills.

What's Actually In Pipette Wipes

The ingredient list is short, functional, and transparent.

  • Water — The base.
  • Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract — Provides hydration and antioxidants.
  • Glycerin — A plant-derived humectant that pulls moisture into the skin.
  • Squalane — The hero ingredient. Derived from sugarcane, it restores natural oils.
  • Tocopherol (Vitamin E) — Antioxidant that supports skin health.
  • Decyl Glucoside — A mild, plant-based cleanser (surfactant) to help remove mess.
  • Potassium Sorbate — Food-grade preservative.
  • Levulinic Acid — Plant-derived preservative/skin conditioner.
  • Sodium Citrate — pH adjuster to keep the wipe balanced with baby's skin.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

  • Squalane: A bio-identical moisturizer that actually helps the skin barrier rather than just stripping it.
  • No Sodium Benzoate: One of the few major brands to avoid this common allergen.
  • Plastic-Free Cloth: Made from 100% plant-derived fibers.
  • Fragrance-Free: No hidden scent chemicals. Is Fragrance In Baby Wipes Harmful

Red Flags:

  • Packaging: The "red flag" here isn't safety-related, but functional. Users frequently complain that the wipes clump together and don't pull out one-by-one, which can be frustrating during a messy diaper change.

The Best Options

How does Pipette compare to other leaders in the "clean wipe" category?

BrandProductVerdictWhy
PipetteBaby WipesBest for sensitive skin. Moisturizing & free of sodium benzoate.
WaterWipesOriginalBest for purists. Just water & fruit extract, but less moisturizing.
HonestClean Conscious⚠️Good texture. But contains sodium benzoate (potential irritant).
CoterieThe WipeBest luxury. Huge & thick, but significantly more expensive.

The Bottom Line

1. Buy these if your baby has sensitive skin. The absence of sodium benzoate makes them a "problem solver" for mysterious diaper rashes.

2. Don't panic about the "discontinued" rumors. You might see forum posts from late 2025 claiming they were discontinued. This was a temporary stock issue; they are currently available.

3. Expect a "clump." The formulation is safer, but the packaging is less convenient than big brands like Huggies. You might pull out three wipes when you only wanted one.

FAQ

Are Pipette wipes biodegradable?

Yes, technically. The wipe fabric is 100% plant-derived and plastic-free. However, "biodegradable" labels are tricky; they will break down in industrial composting facilities, but you should generally throw used wipes in the trash, not the compost bin (especially if they have poop on them).

Does Pipette use preservatives?

Yes, and you want them to. Wipes are wet environments that breed mold quickly without preservatives. Pipette uses potassium sorbate and levulinic acid, which are food-grade and much gentler than the methylisothiazolinone or parabens found in conventional brands.

Why do some parents say they are discontinued?

In late 2025, there were supply chain shortages that led to Pipette wipes being out of stock at major retailers like Target and Amazon for several weeks. This fueled rumors of discontinuation, but the product is back in production and available.


References (15)
  1. 1. ewg.org
  2. 2. precisionairar.com
  3. 3. pipettebaby.com
  4. 4. mynavyexchange.com
  5. 5. pipettebaby.com
  6. 6. which.co.uk
  7. 7. taggmartstore.com
  8. 8. shopbobbys.com
  9. 9. pipettebaby.com
  10. 10. pipettebaby.com
  11. 11. ewg.org
  12. 12. myplasticfreelife.com
  13. 13. ewg.org
  14. 14. naty.com
  15. 15. reddit.com

🛒 Product Recommendations

👌
WaterWipes

WaterWipes

Simpler formula, but lacks the moisturizing benefits of squalane.

Acceptable
Baby Wipes

Kudos

A direct competitor to Pipette that also features **squalane** for moisture. Crucially, it uses **levulinic acid** and **sodium levulinate** (derived from sugarcane) for preservation, completely avoiding sodium benzoate.

Recommended
Kinder by Nature Water-Based Wipes

Jackson Reece

Formulated specifically for eczema-prone skin, these use a **betaine** and **levulinic acid** system. They are explicitly free from sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, and fragrance.

Recommended

Pure New Zealand Water Wipes

Terra

Uses a unique preservation system based on **hydrolyzed soy protein** and **amino acids** rather than standard chemical preservatives. The cloth is 100% biodegradable bamboo fiber.

Recommended
Eco Wipes

Joonya

One of the few brands to use **Silver Dihydrogen Citrate (SDC)**, a non-toxic ionic silver preservative. This allows them to remain free of both sodium benzoate and phenoxyethanol.

Recommended
Dry Baby Wipes

Nest Designs

Made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton with **zero liquid ingredients**. Because they are dry, they require no preservatives at all—you simply add water at the changing table.

Recommended

New Zealand Purified Water Wipes

Ecoriginals

Preserved with **Japanese Soybean Amino Acid** and chamomile extract, avoiding harsh synthetics. The wipe itself is 100% compostable bamboo fiber.

Recommended
Our Wet Wipes

HealthyBaby

**EWG Verified** and made with organic aloe, chamomile, and calendula. While they do use **sodium benzoate**, it is plant-derived and present in a formula certified as microbiome-friendly.

Recommended
Dry Wipes

Wild & Pure

Another excellent dry option made from 100% unbleached cotton. Provides total control over ingredients since you wet them yourself with water or a homemade solution.

Recommended
👌
Bamboo Baby Wipes

Caboo

A solid eco-friendly option made from sustainably harvested bamboo. Rated 'Acceptable' rather than 'Recommended' only because it relies on **sodium benzoate** for preservation.

Acceptable
👌
Sensitive Wipes

Millie Moon

A popular Target exclusive that features avocado oil and aloe. It is plastic-free and fragrance-free but contains **sodium benzoate**, making it slightly less gentle than Pipette.

Acceptable
👌

Eco Baby Wipes

Attitude

EWG Verified and biodegradable. Like many 'clean' brands, it relies on **sodium benzoate** and **potassium sorbate**, which are safe for most but can be triggers for hyper-sensitive skin.

Acceptable
👌

Manuka Honey Wipes

Niki's Natural

Features unique **Manuka honey** and coconut oil for soothing properties. Contains **sodium benzoate**, which prevents it from getting the top-tier 'Recommended' verdict for sensitive skin.

Acceptable
👌
Plastic-Free Baby Wipes

Pura

Fine-to-Flush certified and biodegradable. The formula is decent but includes **sodium benzoate** and **levulinic acid**, placing it a step behind the preservative-free leaders.

Acceptable
👌

100% Compostable Wipes

Eco by Naty

Excellent environmental credentials with Home Compost certification. The fluid contains **sodium benzoate** and **gluconolactone**, which are standard but not the absolute gentlest available.

Acceptable
🚫

Bamboo Baby Wipes

Aleva Naturals

Contains **Didecyldimonium Chloride**, a quaternary ammonium compound (quat) known to be a skin sensitizer and irritant. This is a surprisingly harsh preservative for a 'natural' brand.

Avoid
🚫

Natural Care Sensitive

Huggies

Despite the 'Natural' name, these contain **phenoxyethanol**, a preservative restricted in Japan and the EU for use in infant products due to irritation concerns.

Avoid
🚫

Complete Clean Scented

Pampers

Contains **fragrance (parfum)**, which is a top allergen and potential endocrine disruptor. Also uses **phenoxyethanol** for preservation.

Avoid
🚫

Luvs Wipes

Luvs

Contains **Disodium EDTA** and **phenoxyethanol**. The heavy fragrance is a common trigger for contact dermatitis in infants.

Avoid
⚠️

Baby Wipes

Kirkland Signature

While the new version is Tencel-based (plastic-free), it still relies on **sodium benzoate**. Good for the budget, but not suitable for babies sensitive to benzoate preservatives.

Use Caution
⚠️

Free & Clear

Seventh Generation

Generally a good brand, but these wipes use **sodium benzoate**. If your baby reacts to 'clean' wipes, this common preservative is often the hidden culprit.

Use Caution
🚫

Baby Wipes

Amazon Elements

Contains **phenoxyethanol** and **polysorbate 20**. While cheap, the ingredients do not meet modern clean standards for newborn care.

Avoid
🚫

Scented Wipes

Up & Up (Target)

The scented version contains generic **fragrance**, which can mask hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Always choose the fragrance-free version if shopping this brand.

Avoid
⚠️

Nose & Face Wipes

Dr. Brown's

Marketed for sensitive faces but contains **sodium benzoate**. This can sting or irritate chapped skin around a runny nose.

Use Caution
⚠️

Chlorine-Free Wipes

Burt's Bees

Many versions contain **fragrance** (even if natural) or allergens like **limonene** and **linalool**, which can cause contact dermatitis on broken skin.

Use Caution
⚠️

Clean Conscious Wipes

The Honest Company

Contains **sodium benzoate**. While much better than conventional brands, it is frequently reported as causing stinging in babies with severe diaper rash.

Use Caution
🚫

Baby Wipes

Nice 'n Clean

Often contains **phenoxyethanol** and **iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC)**, a preservative that has been restricted in some regions for use in leave-on products for children under 3.

Avoid

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