water is fine, but application is tricky sometimes. I think the trick with the damp paper towel (partially dampened!) is VERY useful. When I am going to be out of town and in someplace like a hotel, I pack enough sheets of VIVA to deal with eventualities.

As to "older", I find that my skin in general is more delicate and easily irritated in recent years, and the decline in quality of TP has forced 'adjustment' in technique.

(Those commercial wipes are no doubt fine, but I'd reserve them for special cases)