Nothing feels more satisfying than wiping off a full face of makeup with a cotton round or makeup-removing wipe. But news flash: These single-use products are actually terrible for the environment, due to factors such as the amount of water needed to produce cotton, the pesticides used on cotton farms, and the amount of cotton that ends up in our landfills.
Luckily, there are many multiuse alternatives that you can easily swap in. Reusable cotton rounds have hit the mainstream to provide a more sustainable option, helping to cut down on the amount of disposable waste that's piling up. So, if you're ready to break up with your single-use cotton pads, we have a few options for you to check out:
As a beauty editor, I have the privilege of accessing just about any beauty product you can think of, including the somewhat niche category of reusable cotton rounds. I've tested every single item on this list on my brows, lashes, and pores and can personally endorse all of them for their gentle feel. Plus, if you don't want to take just my word for it, most of these products have also been featured by Cosmopolitan, Byrdie, and mindbodygreen.
We're completely obsessed with the magical makeup-removing power of the original Makeup Eraser, and now they come in mini plush versions.
Just like the original, these mini reusable squares are made out of patented polyester fibers that create a suction-like grip on dirt, makeup, and other impurities lingering on your skin. This double-sided miracle worker has short fibers on one side to remove makeup, and the other side has longer fibers to gently exfoliate your skin.
The best part: All you need is water to activate them!
Don't let this pick's under-$10 price tag fool you: like most e.l.f. Cosmetics products, this pack of reusable cotton rounds will work overtime to remove the toughest waterproof makeup without causing any irritation or burning like your conventional makeup wipes.
This pack includes two of the fluffiest, cloud-like rounds you'll ever get your hands on, and each one actually has a different purpose: the white round has softer fibers and works best to remove a light application of makeup, while the black pad has denser fibers to help remove waterproof and long-wear makeup.
Good news: These under-$10 cleansing pads can be found in your local drugstore, and they work just as well (if not better) than their pricier counterparts. This pack of three eco-friendly pads can be washed over and over to be used for removing the toughest of makeup. These microfiber pads are super easy to rinse off, and they last up to 1,000 washes.
Psst: To get the most out of these reusable rounds, use them with your favorite micellar water.
Getting into those itty-bitty corners of your eyes with a regular makeup wipe can be pretty irritating, plus, you're not doing any favors for your lashes when you're aggressively wiping off mascara.
That's where these teardrop-shaped mini mitts fit in: They're super plush and remove stubborn makeup in just a few gentle swipes. Just add a dab of your favorite cleanser to the mitt, and you're all set to swipe.
We loved LastObjects's reusable cotton swab, so of course, we love their reusable cotton rounds, too. These stand out for the unique shape-shifting fabric that feels just like they're regular cotton rounds when liquid is applied. One pack of these rounds is equivalent to over 1,750 uses.
Plus, they're machine washable, so once you've used all of them, you can simply put them in a mini laundry bag and toss them into your washing machine (just make sure to air-dry them!). The best part is that once you're ready to dispose of them, you can simply toss them in your compost bin.
Though these cotton round alternatives are a bit pricier than most, they're totally worth every penny. Instead of cotton, these rounds are made out of sustainable bamboo fibers, making them naturally hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial.
They also have a soft terry cloth-like texture to gently exfoliate your skin, and they come in a pack of 14 cloths, so you'll never run out of them.
We love this pack of reusable cotton rounds for its variety of face and eye pads.
There are three for swiping off your foundation, contouring, and complexion products, while the smaller rounds are for gently getting into the corners of your eyes without plucking out any lashes.
If you have particularly rough skin, then you may want to opt for something with more exfoliating power, like these muslin cloths from Eve Lom.
They're woven from 100% cotton and are specially designed to remove dead skin and other pollutants from your skin. The results: incredibly soft, smooth skin.
Okay, so technically these aren't cotton rounds, but I swear by these for removing even the toughest of makeup.
Since they're made for babies, these 100% organic cotton washcloths are oh, so soft and gentle on skin, yet they work wonders to remove even my most stubborn waterproof mascaras.
If you have a heavy amount of makeup on, then it's time to break out the big guns. Enter: this high-performance reusable cotton round, which features patented HaloTech fibers that trap and remove any makeup in your pores.
Plus, it also gives your skin a quick exfoliating treatment, and it's gentle enough for sensitive skin types to use.
For a mere $15, you get not one, not two, but 10 reusable cotton rounds to wipe away all the dirt, debris, makeup, and impurities on your skin.
But it's not just its value that we love: Each of these reusable rounds is made out of a blend of bamboo and soft, sustainable cotton, making them compostable. Plus, once they're all used, you can toss them into their mesh bag for washing.
Jennifer HusseinBeauty EditorJennifer is the Beauty Editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse.
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