Many of us have jumped on the eco-friendly bandwagon. We bring reusable straws along when we go for our regular bubble tea run, we’ve replaced plastic bags with canvas totes, and some of us have even started composting food scraps. While these are steps in the right direction, our sustainable journey doesn’t have to end there.
The next big culprit happens to be a must-have on any vanity: cotton pads. Just imagine, if you use a couple of cotton pads every day, you can practically picture the hundreds of mascara-stained cotton rounds that will end up in the landfill after a year. Mother Nature would be shaking her head in disappointment.
If you want to cut out single-use cotton pads from your life, why not invest a tiny bit more for a pack of reusable cotton pads that you can use in rotation? That way, you won’t have to toss one out each time you remove your makeup with micellar water.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up a list of reusable cotton pads to have in your arsenal. Some come in fun prints and cute patterns too! Stick with us until the end to find out how you should care for your reusable cotton pads, as well as three more ways to use them in your beauty routine.
Best reusable cotton pads in Malaysia
The Mineraw Reusable Cotton Rounds
An easy alternative to the disposable cotton rounds, these reusable ones from The Mineraw are made of super-soft cotton and come in a set of five or 10 pieces. When you purchase 10 pieces, you get a mesh bag that you can throw into the washing machine when your cotton rounds need a clean.
The Mineraw Reusable Cotton Rounds retail from RM40 at Shopee.
MEKO Reusable Bamboo Facial Pads
In addition to reusable cotton pads, we’ve seen an uptick of bamboo rounds too, such as these ones from MEKO. This set features six facials pads: two bamboo charcoal (black), two bamboo velvet (yellow), and two bamboo terry (white). If you prefer one material over the others, they also do separate sets of 10 facial pads each.
MEKO Reusable Bamboo Facial Pads retail from RM30 at Shopee.
Paula’s Choice Reusable Cotton Rounds
These sustainable and durable cotton rounds can be washed and reused over and over again. Their durable designs can be used and washed on repeat. These also come with a 100% cotton mesh bag which makes it easier to wash them during laundry day.
Paula’s Choice Reusable Cotton Rounds retail for RM95 at Shopee.
Round Soft Makeup Removing Pads
These facial rounds are incredibly soft against your skin; just look at how fluffy they are. These rounds can gently exfoliate the skin too, so you’ll be able to reduce the appearance of your pores while you are cleansing away the day’s dirt and grime.
Round Soft Makeup Removing Pads retails for RM46.50 at Shopee.
Reusable Cotton Makeup Remover Pads
These makeup remover pads get straight to the point. One pack will give you 10 of them and include a small cloth bag for you to toss them in the laundry with for easy cleaning. These are so gentle, you can even use them around your eyes and lips.
Reusable Cotton Makeup Remover Pads retail for RM26.80 at Shopee.
Mamafifimakes Beige Bumblebee Printed Soft Cotton Make Up / Cleansing Pads
These adorable bumblebee-printed cotton pads are perfect for the busy bees in your life. Each reusable round is double-sided, so the top layer is made with cotton, while the bottom layer will come in a material of your choice. Choose from soft towelling, white fleecy flannelette, or a mix of both if you’re ordering a bundle. They’re sold in packs of five, but you’ll get an additional bee bag when you opt for three or five packs.
Mamafifimakes Beige Bumblebee Printed Soft Cotton Make Up / Cleansing Pads retail from RM31.37 at Etsy.
TextileTrolley Reusable Cotton Rounds
With quality quilting cotton on the top and back with two layers of organic cotton fleece, TextileTrolley’s cotton rounds are super soft on the skin. We’re drawn to the gorgeous floral patterns like a moth to a flame. Choose from ‘brights’ for vivid florals, ‘subdued’ for more Japanese-inspired flowers, or ‘surprise mix’, which will be hand-picked by shop owner.
Each cotton round has been serged around the edges to prevent fraying and all the fabrics used to make them have been prewashed.
TextileTrolley Reusable Cotton Rounds retail from RM58.28 at Etsy.
LittleGreenCrafts Reusable Make Up Wipes
LittleGreenCrafts Reusable Make Up Wipes come in a set of 20, and they’re made with brushed cotton flannel on one side and terry cotton on the other. The edges of the cotton rounds are serged with mustard thread, which goes well with the matching honeycomb-printed bag it comes with.
If unsure about committing to 20 cotton rounds, you can opt to purchase one sample pad for only RM3.93.
LittleGreenCrafts Reusable Make Up Wipes retail from RM5.70 at Etsy.
Reusable Makeup Washable Rounds
Eco-friendly and zero waste, these washable rounds are designed to last for years of use, so you’ll never have to use throwaway products ever again. What’s great is that they are gentle enough to be used on all skin types including sensitive dry skin and baby skin.
Reusable Makeup Washable Rounds retail from RM77.29 on Shopee.
HandmadeByAVO Organic Striped pattern Reusable Cotton Pads
Decked in beige stripes, HandmadeByAVO’s cotton pads will blend right in with the rest of your Muji-themed home. The reusable cotton rounds are larger than most single-use cotton rounds, and they’re chlorine-free and chemical-free – safe for all skin types.
HandmadeByAVO Organic Striped pattern Reusable Cotton Pads retail from RM49.54 at Etsy.
Bamboo Cotton Facial Makeup Remover Pads
Made with plush bamboo cotton, these makeup remover pads go easy over sensitive areas like your eyes and around the mouth. They come in shades of pastel pink, baby blue, sunny yellow, and white. You can purchase them in packs of eight, 12, 16, or 20.
Bamboo Cotton Facial Makeup Remove Pads retail from RM17.30 at Shopee.
LastRound Reusable Cotton Rounds
These will be the last rounds you will ever need in your life, as you’ll want to keep using them again and again. One pack is good for 1,750 uses or more, so that is 1,750 single-use cotton rounds saved! Each round is made of 100% sustainably sourced materials too, direct from wood cellulose from North American conifers and cotton fibres not suitable for the textile industry.
LastRound Reusable Cotton Rounds retail for RM60 at Shopee.
Eco Friendly Bamboo Cotton Pads
With five white and five black cotton pads in a pack, these panda-like cotton rounds will look cute atop any vanity. They’re made with three layers of silky bamboo fleece, which absorb product well and remove makeup without irritating your skin. They come in a mesh bag for washing too.
Eco Friendly Bamboo Cotton Pads retail for RM37.50 at Shopee.
Reusable Organic Bamboo Fleece Cotton Pad
Perfect for taking off eyeshadow and mascara, these cotton pads are made of organic bamboo fleece to remove your makeup effortlessly. This means it has a high level absorbency and can wick away moisture quickly.
Reusable Organic Bamboo Fleece Cotton Pad retails for RM5 at Shopee.
The Hive Reusable, Washable Round
These makeup remover pads are made of ultra-fine bamboo fibre with nylon thread. They’re soft and skin-friendly, so you won’t have to worry about any harsh friction and irritation. The microfibre-like material will whisk off any makeup, dirt, and grime for a clean slate.
The Hive Reusable, Washable Round retails for RM25 at Shopee.
Reusable Cotton Rounds Makeup Remover Cotton Pads
These reusable cotton pads go easy on the most sensitive skin. They remove makeup and dirt easily, and they’re a breeze to wash and dry too. This pack of 10 also comes with a bag for convenient washing.
Reusable Cotton Rounds Makeup Remover Cotton Pads for RM30.40 at Shopee.
How to keep your reusable cotton pads in tip-top condition
Reusable facial cotton rounds are a great way to help sustain the earth, but to keep them around for longer, you have to clean them properly. Look at them like mini towels, and treat them as you would treat any towel or washcloth.
After using them once to remove your makeup, give your pads a quick wash with warm water and a bar of soap or liquid soap. By doing so, you can remove most of your makeup from the pads instantly and reduce the amount of wear in the fabric.
For a more thorough clean, place your pads in a mesh laundry bag and throw them in the washing machine with your like-coloured clothes. Give them a warm wash (up to 40°C) with a gentle detergent and leave the pads to dry naturally. Do not use fabric softener or bleach when washing your pads.
As soon as fabric softener is introduced, it can build up on the pads and weaken the fabric, decreasing its absorbency. Washing your pads without it will keep the rounds soft and more absorbent with each wash.
More ways to use reusable cotton pads
1. Pre-soak them in toner or micellar water
Not that we’re travelling anytime soon, but when we do, this trick will come in handy. If a bottle of toner weighs your baggage down, try soaking a few pieces of reusable cotton pads in your go-to solution and seal them in a Ziploc bag. You can do the same for micellar water or any other makeup remover. They’re a much cheaper alternative to buying cleansing wipes, especially if you’re only going out of town for the weekend.
For the couch potatoes at home, you can also douse a few pieces of cotton rounds in toner or micellar water and store them in a glass jar. When you’re ready for your skincare routine, just open the jar and swipe on the product.
2. Make your own hydrating sheet mask
Ran out of sheet masks? Try soaking a few cotton rounds in a moisturising toner and place them your face to double up as a facial mask. Place the pads on your forehead, cheeks, and chin, and concentrate on drier or more textured areas.
3. Use it to apply setting powder
The puffs that come with setting powders can get gnarly real quick, so while they’re in a wash, you can use a reusable cotton pad to lightly dust your T-zone for a shine-free finish.
