13 Best Cotton Pads of 2023 That Won’t Fall Apart
Toner, nail polish remover, cleanser? Check, check, and check.
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If I had a dollar for every time I've attempted to remove my makeup or remove my nail polish with a sh*tty cotton pad that falls apart, let's just say that I'd be a rich lady by now. And although you may think that going to the drugstore beauty section and picking up any ol' pack of cotton rounds is sufficient, I'm here to tell you that no two cotton pads are created equal. (Yes, rlly.) So to help make your beauty routine and makeup removals easier, I've rounded up 13 of the best cotton pads you should be using RN. Thank me later.
Whether you're looking to exfoliate your skin, apply facial toner, remove your mascara, or take off some nail polish, a gooood cotton pad is essential. The key is to look for cotton rounds with (1) a great absorbency level and (2) the right texture for your purposes. And because ily, I've selected a cotton pad for each and every beauty sitch possible. Here's a little sneak peek of what's to come...
Our top picks for the best cotton pads in 2022:
Intrigued? Thought so. Without further ado, here are the 13 best cotton pads from brands like Shiseido, White Rabbit, Q-tips, and even Chanel. For easier makeup removal days, go forth.
Shiseido Facial Cotton
Pros
- won't break or pill
Cons
- may be better to stock up when they're on sale
If you're looking for a cotton pad that does it ALL, look no further than the Shiseido Facial Cotton. Made with 100 percent cotton, these bbs are super soft yet incredibly durable due to their whopping 27 layers.
THE REVIEW: "These are my favorite cotton pads. I stock up whenever they are on sale. I love that they don’t break apart when I use them as some cheaper options do sometimes," reads one review.
Rael Facial Sponge Cotton Pads
Pros
- Won't absorb beauty products
Cons
- They're super thin
There's nothing worse than a cotton pad falling apart as soon as you apply product to it. Enter: The Rael Facial Sponge Cotton Pads. With super absorbency levels, tear-resistant strength, and a silky soft feel, these bbs are everything you're looking for.
THE REVIEW: "If you use essences you know they can get pricey. I still use regular cotton rounds but ONLY for witch hazel and cheaper products. For my essences and such, I use these. They aren't meant to be especially absorbent which is why you're wasting less of your facial products with these. Just a FEW DROPS of my essences now go further because they're not being absorbed by the pad," reads one review.
Greenzla Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
Pros
- Comes with a ton of rounds
Cons
- Will have to wash after every use
If you don't feel like purchasing a new pack of cotton rounds every time you run out, get yourself a pack of reusable ones. This pack comes with 20 rounds and an adorable little cotton laundry bag.
THE REVIEW: "I had no idea these reusable pads existed, but I’m so glad I found out. The cotton rounds I always used would irritate my skin and make it pink. These are so soft, and that doesn’t happen anymore. So far they’ve held up very well, and come clean in the wash," one reviewer writes.
White Rabbit Premium 100% Cotton Pads
Pros
- Won't absorb product
Cons
- Some reviewers say they're pretty thin
K-beauty brand White Rabbit has a mission to elevate beauty products that are essential but usually ignored, and that's where these cotton pads come in. Made with 100 percent cotton, these bbs won't leave behind lint or other fibers on your skin.
THE REVIEW: "I've been trying out a lot of different cotton pads lately. This one seems to have all the things I'm looking for so far—they don't irritate my skin, and they absorb just enough. They're not like those fluffy ones where they just drink up your products," one review reads.
MUJI Makeup Facial Soft Cut Cotton Unbleached
Pros
- Super gentle
Cons
- Can sometimes be hard to find in stock
If you have sensitive skin, certain products and tools can wreak havoc on you. That's why it's incredibly important to choose carefully. These cotton pads by MUJI are unbleached, 100 percent cotton, which means they're perfect for those with sensitivities.
THE REVIEW: "You get far more in the package, they're exactly the right absorbency, and the black flecks you see from the natural cotton can't be felt at all. I use these in several ways...removing eye makeup, applying toners, micellar water, foaming lip scrub, whatever you can think of. I will definitely be repurchasing," one reviewer writes.
ULTA Exfoliating Round Cotton Pads
Pros
- Has both a soft and exfoliating side
Cons
- Not a good option for sensitive skin
Hi, hello! Did you know that you can actually exfoliate with cotton pads as well? If you want a little extra "grit" when applying toners, cleansers, astringents, or when removing nail polish, these are a great, gentle option to consider.
THE REVIEW: "I have been buying these exfoliating cotton pads for years. They are the best around! I have used so many other brands that simply fall apart in use. These Ulta exfoliating rounds are well made and stand up to every use, so I now buy ONLY these. I love that one side has raised dots to allow for a little *scrubbing*...I use these in conjunction with my cleanser to help get dirt/makeup off my face. I use the smooth side when applying toner. Great product, Ulta!" one tester writes.
Amazon Basics Cotton Rounds
Pros
- Great value for the money
Cons
- Packaging is a pain some customers say
Sometimes you don't want to drop more than a few bucks on cotton pads, and hey, I feel you. This highly-rated bulk set of (600!) cotton rounds is perfect for everyday use. Plus, it'll take you a heck of a long time to run out.
THE REVIEW: "This bundle has lasted me about seven months!!! I use them every day! Can't imagine only buying a single pack at Walmart every few weeks or so for $3-$4 is so silly. Instead, you only have to spend $12 on ALL THESE, knowing they will last FOR MONTHS is so much better!" one tester writes.
Q-tips Beauty Cotton Rounds
Pros
- Has both a soft and exfoliating side
Cons
- Others prefer the cotton pads before they updated them
The Q-tips Beauty Cotton Rounds are a classic for a reason—they have stood the test of time. With a quilted side when you need that extra grit, and a soft side for gentle areas on the face, you get the best of both worlds with this pack.
THE REVIEW: "I am very surprised! I thought Q-tips only made the actual Q-tips—I did not know they made this amazing product! I use the beauty pads to take off my makeup at night, and they are so gentle and very absorbent! I would highly recommend these to a friend!" reads one tester's review.
Sephora Organic Cotton Pads
Pros
- They won't pill
Cons
- Some reviewers don't like the packaging
Let's be real: It can be annoying af to try and distribute product all over your face with a tiny cotton pad. Luckily, with these bbs from Sephora, you won't have that problem due to their large, ideal size. Made with zero chemicals, a dense texture, and a square shape, you'll def want to incorporate these guys into your beauty routine.
THE REVIEW: "These are the best cotton pads out there. They are nice and thick so they actually take off heavy and stubborn makeup. They don’t pill at all like the ones you would get at the drugstore," one customer writes.
Graham Hands Down Ultra Nail and Cosmetic Pads
Pros
- Plastic layer will limit contact between skin and nail polish remover
Cons
- May be too rough for the face
Listen, soft, delicate cotton rounds are great for your face. But when it comes to removing nail polish? You're going to want a durable pad that holds up. Enter: The Graham Hands Down Ultra Nail and Cosmetic Pads. Your nail polish doesn't stand a chance against these bbs.
THE REVIEW: "These are great for removing polish—say on your toes, a problem nail on the other hand, or someone else's nails—while the plastic barrier and tab protect your fingers from polish remover," one tester writes.
Jenny Patinkin Pure Luxury Organic Reusable Cosmetic Rounds
Pros
- Great texture
Cons
- They take awhile to dry after washing
These hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial cotton rounds are the ultimate reusable cosmetic pads on the market. Not only are they great for removing makeup, but thanks to the soft terry texture, they also have great exfoliating purposes as well. Oh, and they come with an adorable pink carrying case.
THE REVIEW: "I recently switched over to these after realizing how many cotton pads I had used up over the course of several months. Everything is so well thought-out! The pouch to carry the rounds is so chic and can be used for other things. The wash bag is perfect. The rounds themselves are nice, thick, and exfoliating," one review reads.
Chanel Extra Soft Cotton
Pros
- Looks pretty and is functional
Cons
- Can be pricey if you continue to buy
Everyone can have a little bit of luxury on the low-low with these super chic Chanel cotton pads. Yes, they'll look pretty on a vanity, but they're also super soft and great for applying products. I think that's a win-win, right?
THE REVIEW: "Okay, these cotton pads are easily 5-stars if you're extra, extra like me. Could you live without them? Well, yeah. Would you want to after you've seen how incredibly soft and luxe they are? Nope! These cotton pads are super lush which makes them worth the price alone but with them also being Chanel, that definitely gives them that extra somethin'," writes one tester.
Kitsch Eco-Friendly Reusable Mini Face Rounds
Pros
- Fully biodegradable
Cons
- Does not include case or wash bag
Made from 100 percent natural fibers, these sustainable cosmetic rounds are chemical-free and fully biodegradable. This pack by Kitsch includes seven rounds—perfect for every day of the week—and is super easy to clean and reuse.
THE REVIEW: "As we all become more conscious of our waste production and its effects on the environment, I was looking for ways to reuse anything that I have on a daily basis. Cotton rounds were one of those things! I fell in love when I saw these, and it comes in a perfect seven-pack—one for every day of the week. I wash them in my laundry every week and have fresh, clean rounds ready for the next use," one review reads.
How to choose the best cotton pad:
Consider the absorbency
There's no chance that you want half of your $$$ toner to absorb into your cotton pad before you even have a chance to apply it to your face, right? Right. That's why it's incredibly important to keep in mind the absorbency. Cotton is highly absorbent, but certain products are made with features such as a woven texture to reduce this. This leads us to...
Look at the texture
Other than the fact that a woven or tightly crafted cotton pad reduces excess absorption, it's important to keep in mind the texture in terms of your skin type or what you plan to use the pad for. If you have sensitive skin, you should look for a cosmetic round with a soft, smooth texture. If you are looking to exfoliate or remove polish, there are cotton pads made with exfoliating or rougher surfaces.
Why trust Cosmo?
Siena Gagliano is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing skincare and beauty stories, like the best lip balms with SPF and the cutest makeup bags, and feels especially knowledgable about cotton rounds thanks to struggling to find one that holds up. She regularly tests and analyzes cotton pads on herself for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top professionals to assess new products.
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