Facial Tissue

Facial tissues, also commonly known as facial wipes or tissues, are an essential personal care product used worldwide. These soft and lightweight sheets of paper or cloth are primarily used for the gentle cleansing of the face. Have you ever wondered how facial tissues are made? In this article, we will explore the intricate process involved in manufacturing facial tissues.

Raw Materials
The first step in the production of facial tissues involves gathering the necessary raw materials. The principal material used is cellulose, which can be derived from various sources such as wood pulp, recycled paper, or cotton fiber. Wood pulp is the most common choice due to its availability and cost-effectiveness. The cellulose fibers are mixed with water and other additives, like softeners and binders, to enhance the strength and softness of the tissues.

Paper Making
Once the cellulose fibers and additives are thoroughly mixed, the slurry is then fed into a papermaking machine. This machine forms a thin, continuous sheet of tissue through a process called wet pressing. The slurry is evenly spread on a moving wire mesh conveyor belt, which squeezes out excess water and binds the cellulose fibers together. The wet tissue then passes through a series of felt rollers that further remove remaining water and compress the sheet, resulting in a stronger and more compact tissue.

Embossing and Perforations
After the papermaking process, the tissue sheet is usually plain and flat. To provide a more appealing and functional product, the tissue is embossed and perforated. The embossing process creates raised patterns or designs on the tissue, making it softer and increasing its absorbency. Perforations are also added to enable easy tearing and separation of individual tissues from the roll or box.

Converting and Packaging
Once the tissue sheet is embossed and perforated, it undergoes the converting process, where it is cut into individual sheets of the desired size. This can be done by automated machines that use rotary blades or laser cutting technology to ensure precise measurements. The cut tissues are then stacked, folded, or rolled, depending on the end product requirements.

Finally, the facial tissues are packaged into boxes, plastic wrappers, or plastic bags for consumer convenience. Companies often incorporate attractive designs and branding on the packaging to attract customers. The packaged tissues then undergo quality checks to ensure that they meet the desired standards regarding softness, strength, and hygiene. Once approved, the facial tissues are ready to be distributed and sold in retail stores, supermarkets, and other outlets.

Paper quality
Facial tissue and bathroom tissue are similar in the sense of overall construction. Some inexpensive brands use a coarser paper product as the base, then only offer a single ply. Long-term use of these tissues often leads to redness and soreness. They may perform well enough for make-up removal, but not for colds and allergies.

Better facial tissues offer at least two layers of material for strength and absorbency. Premium brands often feature three plies, and the base is derived from virgin wood pulp for additional softness. The overall quality of the tissue paper should be a major decision factor, because an inferior product can cause a lot of discomfort later.

Strength and absorbency
One good argument for two-ply and three-ply facial tissues is overall strength. One layer of processed paper can easily disintegrate during use, but multiple layers will keep the tissue intact. Some brands can shed bits of paper lint because they are formulated more for softness than strength. This might not be a deal breaker for those with sensitive skin, but long-term users should opt for brands that can hold their own during an illness.

Absorbency is also a factor when evaluating facial tissues. The tissue must be able to absorb and trap liquid mucus. Inexpensive one- or two-ply brands sometimes make the process more unpleasant because they do not immediately absorb mucus. This is why softer two- and three-ply brands are so popular with cold and allergy sufferers. An absorbent facial tissue draws the mucus deeper into the paper, away from the skin.

Enhancements
The default style for many facial tissues is plain and unscented. This is a perfectly acceptable design, since facial tissue tends to be a communal product and different users have different preferences. However, some users may seek additional fragrance or a choice of color for different rooms. Both of these options are usually available on store shelves.

For cold and allergy sufferers, a lotion-infused facial tissue is a much-appreciated upgrade. The small amount of lotion adds to the overall softness of the tissue, and helps reduce the soreness and redness associated with long-term use. However, lotion-infused facial tissue is not ideal for other tasks, such as cleaning eyeglasses. Lotion-infused facial tissues can also be more expensive, and the quantity may be more limited per box.

While not as easy to find on regular store shelves, there are also facial tissue brands infused with virus or bacteria-killing agents. These products can help reduce the spread of cold or flu viruses by neutralizing the shed virus on the tissue. Antibacterial facial tissue will help decontaminate surfaces where used tissues have been discarded.

Price
Fortunately, most brands of facial tissues are affordably priced by manufacturers. An inexpensive box of one or possibly two-ply tissues can cost less than $1 and are often sold in bulk for a significant discount. The overall quality is variable, however. For regular home or office use, expect to pay around $3 for a box of unenhanced two- or three-ply facial tissues from recognizable brands. Premium brands with exceptional three-ply softness and absorbency will cost a dollar or two more per box, while facial tissues enhanced with lotion or antibacterial/antiviral agents can average around $6 a box.