It’s a well-known fact that the beauty industry is one of the largest culprits when it comes to single-use products - items like face wipes and makeup removal pads are cheap to buy so they can be thrown away after use with little regard for the environment. Luckily, over the last decade or so, companies within this industry have started to clean up their image by creating more eco-friendly options.
One such product is the reusable cotton pad, which you can use to remove eye makeup or nail polish before popping it into the washing machine afterwards. This not only helps the earth but over time it's also going to save you a few quid as you don’t need to keep buying new pads every time you’re out shopping in Boots. The only question is, which set should you buy? Read on to see our favourites at Amazon and John Lewis!
Quick List - Top Reusable Cotton Pads
CT CAPETRONIX
Affordable, Multicoloured Set With Everything You Could Possibly Need!
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The most common material is bamboo, which can either be used on its own or blended with cotton. Bamboo is incredibly soft to the touch, meaning it's ideal for use on all skin types. It’s also around 40% more absorbent than cotton, so it wicks away moisture much more quickly than other materials.
Furthermore, there are many environmental benefits to choosing pads made from bamboo as it is a self-replenishing resource, so it hardly ever needs replanting. Plus, it only requires a third of the water that cotton plants do and is typically grown without pesticides. If you’re as concerned about looking after the world as you are your skin, then bamboo is probably the best option for you!
Don't stop at cotton pads, browse our selection of bamboo toothbrushes!
Microfibre is another convenient option that's easy to clean. In addition, it can be washed over and over without losing its shape or fading, so pads made from this material should remain in good condition for a long time. Microfibre is resistant to stains too, which is handy if you frequently wear lots of makeup.
The downside to microfibre is that the material is synthetic, making it less eco-friendly than a material that forms naturally. The fabric also stores electrons which can attract other fibres such as hairs, so you’ll need to take extra care to make sure that the pads are clean before using them on your face.
Of course, you could also opt for cotton pads. These are often blended with bamboo but can be used solo too. As you’d expect, they’re super gentle on the face so they're a great choice for those with sensitive skin. They’re also the thinnest of the fabrics mentioned in this article, which makes them very breathable and easy to manoeuvre around the nooks and crannies of your face while cleaning.
The main disadvantage of cotton is that it stains easily, so it may start to look dirty over time. Additionally, it's less absorbent than bamboo and microfibre, meaning it could take you longer to complete your routine when using this type of pad.
Next up, you’ll want to consider the size of the pads. The average size is around 8-9cm, which is roughly the same as the palm of your hand. The larger the pad, the quicker you can clean up because, well, more fabric means it can cover more skin!
Sometimes packs contain a few different sizes, such as small, medium and large. Smaller pads are perfect for removing eye makeup, while larger sizes can take off foundation and sunscreen. Some brands also produce larger pads of around 15cm. These are almost like a hybrid between a cotton pad and an old-school flannel, making them just the right size for cleaning your whole face and your neck.
Reusable pads range from small packs of 3 to huge packs of 21. When it comes to the amount, we would recommend opting for a pack that contains at least 7 pads. This way, you’ll have one for each day of the week.
Of course, the more the better - especially if you're travelling or tend to use more than one pad per cleaning session. If you don’t have enough, then it’s likely you’ll end up reaching for the disposables, which is the cycle you’re trying to break by buying this type of product in the first place!
Shop and clean sustainably by making the switch to eco-friendly cleaning products, explore our buying guide here!
Finally, you might want to consider the colour of the pads themselves. While this might seem like a trivial factor initially, many people prefer pads in lighter shades such as white and grey because they make it easier to see how much makeup has been removed. That said, lighter pads are more likely to become stained with frequent use.
Therefore, black pads could be a better option for those to like to wear black eyeliner or darker shades of lipstick. After all, you don’t need to look at the pads to see whether the makeup has been removed, as this should be easy to spot when looking at your face in the mirror!
Looking for more eco-friendly products? Check out our plastic-free toiletries!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GREENZLA Reusable Makeup Remover Pads | ![]() | For Those Who Want to Put the Planet First | |
2 | CT CAPETRONIX Reusable Makeup Remover Pads | ![]() | Affordable, Multicoloured Set With Everything You Could Possibly Need! | |
3 | Ogato Reusable Makeup Remover Pads | ![]() | Pads in the Perfect Shade of Grey | |
4 | John Lewis & Partners Reusable Cotton Pads | ![]() | Includes One for Every Day of the Week | |
5 | Face Halo Makeup Remover | ![]() | Special Microfibre Tech Means No Cleanser Is Needed | |
6 | Odoxia Reusable Makeup Remover Pads | ![]() | Tackles Any Makeup, No Matter How Stubborn | |
7 | STYLPRO Reusable Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads | ![]() | Simple Pads Designed for Everyday Use | |
8 | Bambaw Reusable Makeup Pads | ![]() | Two Textures Mean You Can Pick the Right Pad for the Job | |
9 | TRIBOO Clean Green Reusable Makeup Remover Pads | ![]() | Plenty of Pads to Save You From Disposables | |
10 | Revolution Reusable Face Cleansing Cushions | ![]() | Comforting Cushions From a Reliable Beauty Brand |
If protecting the planet is your main aim, then you'd be hard-pressed to find a pack that does more than this one by GREENZLA. Included are 20 pads made from 100% bamboo that the company claim should last for years, so you won't need to top up your reusables any time soon.
On top of that, you get an organic cotton laundry bag and a recyclable storage box. The latter is a particularly handy accessory as it means you can keep all your pads in one place when they're not in use, instead of them being strewn across the bathroom or mixed up in your makeup bag.
If you're looking for the ultimate set of reusable pads, we're pretty sure you'll love this assortment - they've managed to provide everything you could possibly need! You get 16 pieces of 4 main colours of reusable pads that can be used up to 1000 times.
Plus, the price includes a cotton laundry bag and a recyclable storage bag too. Last, but certainly not least, we think the combination of bamboo and velvet cotton will prove to be the nicest to touch and the most competent when cleaning.
These nifty reusable pads and cloths are just what you need if you often dread having to remove all your makeup at the end of the day. The grey colour allows you to identify what makeup you've taken off, while also being less prone to becoming stained than white.
At 12cm, they're slightly bigger than our other picks which means you can get the job done quicker! Included in the set are 3 XL double sided makeup remover pads, 2 XL eye makeup remover pads, a headband, and laundry bag. Plus, they're also hypoallergenic, so you can use it even if you have easily irritated skin.
These gentle pads from John Lewis & Partners can be used for cleansing, toning, or removing makeup. They're made from 100% cotton, so they're going to be a better choice for those who prefer thinner pads. The set includes a pad for every day of the week, so you shouldn't get caught short.
The polyester laundry bag that comes with these pads is a little more robust than the cotton ones usually provided. However, it does take away ever so slightly from their eco-friendly credentials.
Lasting up to an amazing 200 washes, this 3-pack from Face Halo is one of the most durable sets out there. Furthermore, they battle even the heaviest of makeup with just water - you don't actually need a cleanser!
This is thanks to the special microfibre fabric that's 100 times finer than human hair and super-effective at catching dirt. Though it definitely doesn't come cheap, especially considering the small pack size, but we'd say it's well worth the price if you fancy splashing out!
While there are three different colours of pads here, there are only two different styles included - soft and scrub ones. The scrub ones are best used for waterproof makeup that can be a little stubborn, whereas the soft pads can be used for pretty much everything else.
Overall, you get 15 pads for less than a tenner, which is incredibly affordable. However, some customers find them a little flimsy and have even resorted to folding them over in order to get the right level of thickness.
These pads by STYLPRO are designed for removing light makeup, machine-washable, and come with a small laundry bag. The fact that they're bamboo means they'll definitely help to save the planet if you switch to these rather than using disposables.
As they're around 8cm in diameter, these pads are just the right size for scrubbing away lipstick or cleansing off concealer. We just wish there were a few larger ones in there too, to mix things up a bit!
Bambaw provides two different styles of pads (all of which are 8cm in diameter) in one pack. There are 12 soft pads for cleaning light makeup, then 4 "scrub pads" for heavy-duty makeup removal and exfoliation.
While the pads are high-quality, the same unfortunately can't be said for the laundry bag. Many Amazon customers have found that it tears easily, which isn't ideal when its sole job is to survive the washing machine!
There are a few things about this pack from TRIBOO that we like. Firstly, they provide 21 pads in total, which means you've got three weeks to get your act together and wash them before you run out.
Secondly, the bamboo-cotton combo gives the user the best of both worlds - a soft pad that's highly absorbent. However, some users have found that the pads are a little too thin for vigorous cleansing.
Our first set of reusable pads comes from British brand Revolution, whose mission is to create beauty products that are accessible to everyone. However, you'll have to be quick when shopping as their ranges don't stick around for too long - they're always flying off the shelves!
These microfibre reusable cushions (which is just a more comforting way of saying pad) work well for both AM and PM routines. Unfortunately, there aren't any size specifications provided by the manufacturer and there's no laundry bag either!
Collect all dirty pads in a small mesh laundry bag and place them in the washing machine alongside light-coloured items. Wash on a warm cycle, up to 40°C, with a gentle detergent. However, avoid using fabric softeners or bleach, as they can severely weaken the fabric and reduce its absorbency.
You can expect to get between 500 to 1,000 washes, which can last you for years, if you regularly wash and care for your pads correctly.
Now that you've swapped out regular pads for reusable ones, why not try to reduce waste around the rest of your home? Eco-friendly expert Kate Bamber at @my_plastic_free_home on Instagram has plenty of top tips to help you out!
Check out her favourite compostable cleaning cloths below and read her Top 10 Essentials for a Low-Waste Kitchen if you want to know more.
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
No. 1: GREENZLA|Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
No. 2: CT CAPETRONIX|Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
No. 3: Ogato|Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
No. 4: John Lewis & Partners|Reusable Cotton Pads
No. 5: Face Halo |Makeup Remover
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