Removing Makeup With a Makeup Remover Pad
A reusable makeup remover pad is a smart addition to any cleansing routine. They can be used with cleansers, micellar water or even just a splash of water to gently and effectively wipe away makeup.
They’re also a sustainable alternative to disposable face wipes and cotton pads, which contribute to huge volumes of beauty waste in landfill and the ocean. They’re machine washable and durable up to 1000 washes.
1. Removing Makeup
When you get home from a long day, the last thing you want to think about is your skincare routine—and especially removing makeup before bed. But scrubbing your face clean and dabbing on moisturizer before heading to the sack isn’t always as simple as it sounds. In fact, makeup remover wipes and single-use cotton pads are a massive planetary polluter.
That’s why it’s important to swap out these disposable products with reusable ones, like a makeup remover pad. “When left on the skin, oil, dirt, pollutants and makeup can cause breakouts, styes and even accelerate aging,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Charlotte Birnbaum. The best way to eliminate this debris is to thoroughly wash your face before going to sleep, so a reusable pad that easily absorbs makeup and oil can make the difference in how your complexion looks come morning.
We love this set of reusable makeup pads from Biossance, which contain towel-like bamboo material to gently cleanse all skin types. Each pad is dual-sided to assist with targeted removal: the white side has a high-pile texture that gently removes face makeup while the peach side offers a low-pile design for non-irritating eye makeup removal. They also work as an excellent companion to no-rinse cleanser options like micellar water, just saturate the pad with a bit of the liquid before gliding it over your face to remove any remaining residue. Plus, they’re machine washable and can be used up to 1,000 times before needing a refresh.
2. Cleansing
If you’re an avid user of micellar water or hydrating toners and rely on cotton rounds, swapping them in for a reusable alternative is the greenest way to go. Single-use pads filled with cotton rounds contribute to the enormous amount of waste beauty products generate every year. Many of them end up in landfill, where they fail to decompose, or in the ocean, where they can harm sea life. Reusable makeup remover pads are made of a range of soft fabrics including bamboo, brushed cotton and microfiber. Choose one that feels comfortable against your skin and if you’re buying a set, check that they come with a holder or mesh laundry bag for easy storage between washes.
To use a reusable pad, simply saturate it with your cleanser of choice, then makeup remover pad glide it over your face, removing any remaining makeup or dirt. Some pads are dual sided, so you can focus on specific areas of the face like the eyes or lips.
Another option is a face cloth that you can saturate with toner, such as our L’Oreal Paris HydraFresh Toner, before wiping over your complexion. These can be used as part of a no-rinse cleansing routine, alongside a cleanser, or as a final step before applying makeup. Choose a flannel that has a softer, more flexible fabric to avoid damaging it with repeated washings.
3. Toning
Unlike cotton rounds, which are generally tossed once used, these microfibre pads can be used again to apply your favourite toner. Saturate a pad with rose water or another toner, and glide it across your face to help lock in moisture and freshen skin.
You can also use your reusable makeup remover pads as an extra step in your cleansing routine, by applying a no-rinse cleanser like this one from Garnier. The pads’ thin, velvety microfiber fabric activates with a spritz of micellar water to remove dirt and makeup residue from your face. The best part? They’re machine washable and can be reused 40 times.
These double-sided pads are a plastic-free, vegan option for removing makeup and assisting in skin care. They feature a textured side to gently remove face makeup, while the peach side is ideal for eye makeup removal and removing daily grime from pores. They’re infused with natural, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory ingredients to help soothe the skin as they work their magic.
Awarded silver in the 2020 Get The Gloss Beauty and Wellness Awards, these eco-friendly makeup remover pads are a good budget pick. They’re made of superfine, microfibre-blend fibers that capture and lift makeup and oils for a deep clean. They’re formulated with aloe, lavender, and chamomile to soothe the skin as they work. Once finished using the pads, simply place them in a laundry bag and add to your weekly load of washing.
4. Exfoliating
Unlike cotton rounds or face wipes that contain harsh chemicals and are usually made from non-biodegradable materials, reusable makeup remover pads are usually made of sustainable and long-lasting fabrics like bamboo, organic cotton and microfibre. This means that they can be washed over and over again, helping to reduce waste and cut down on the use of finite resources.
A good makeup remover pad is designed to be soft on the skin and easily capture dirt and other debris, leaving you with a clean complexion. This makes them ideal for exfoliating, as you makeup remover pad can gently massage your skin with the cloth to buff away dead cells and reveal fresh new layers of healthy-looking skin underneath.
These eco-friendly bamboo pads are super gentle, making them an ideal choice for people with sensitive skin. The cloth is infused with a natural, biodegradable cleansing solution that breaks down makeup and other residues, leaving you with a clean complexion without the need for a harsh scrub.
Simply saturate the pads with warm water or add a small amount of micellar water and massage over your face. You can also add a drop of your favourite cleanser for an extra cleanse boost. Once you’re done, pop the pads in your washing machine along with a laundry bag and a little bit of eco-friendly detergent for a 30-degree wash.
