About Cliradex Towelettes

Practical Highlights

• Foaming cleanser


• Contains 4-Terpineol


• 24 individually packaged towelettes, 1.4g per towelette

Rebecca\'s ThoughtsMay 5, 2024

I remember when Cliradex wipes first came out. This product is credited to the renowned Dr Scheffer Tseng in Florida who has invested so much in the dry eye and lid care world. I\'ve always had a high respect for the product and brand, and would have listed it here in the shop long ago, but it just never worked out with the company\'s distribution policies. However, now that we\'ve become a PRN customer (as a result of their acquisition of Eye Eco) I\'m pleased that we can finally list it here in the Dry Eye Shop.

Cliradex products are described as containing \"optimized concentrations of 4-terpineol without the extra components in tea tree oil that are found in other products and can cause allergic reactions, stinging and irritation to the skin, particularly around the eyes.\"

My respect for the product is all about my respect for the expertise of Dr. Tseng. While I think that public perception of the brand tends to lean towards the \"potentially irritating\" spectrum, I think there\'s also a much greater chance of it actually working than a lot of the nonspecific undifferentiated TTO stuff on the market, many of which are more marketing than substance.

Packaging

Fine for people who are not chronically in a hurry. I\'ve opened an awful lot of lid wipes and this is not one of the easier ones. They are relatively small foil packets, and if you find the little helper slit, you may just tear off a corner and end up reaching for your scissors, or you may tear the wipe itself. I prefer openings that tear straight across the top. 

Size & feel

The wipes are about 2\" by 2.75\" and have a decently smooth texture, none of the roughness that my lids dislike in some products.

Wipes vs foam

The foam is described by the manufacturer as being for mild-to-moderate conditions, vs the towelettes which are for moderate-to-severe.

This makes sense to me as the foam is noticeably gentler than the wipes. However, people with severe symptoms sometimes also have more sensitivities, which can make the \'moderate-to-severe\' version harder to tolerate, at least till you get used to it. On the other hand, strong claims are made for the wipes, meaning, some discomfort may be part of the cost of a more effective product.

The wipes are strong stuff - no doubt about it - at least for initial use. If you have sensitive eyes, consider starting with the foam before trying the wipes, or at least be prepared to rinse this stuff off quick if it starts to irritate more than what the package rather euphemistically describes as \"a cool, refreshing, menthol feeling.\"

Updated 1/23/26