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Help protect the environment with these reusable alternatives for removing your makeup Bamboo Face Towels
Looking to make your beauty routine more sustainable? The best reusable makeup remover pads, cloths and mitts are a more eco-friendly and cost-saving alternative to disposable cotton pads and wipes.
So, help do your bit for the planet by swapping to our top-rated reusable makeup pads, all tried and tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Here's are their favourites in a handy list, but read on for the full reviews.
Disposable face wipes, cotton pads and balls contribute to the huge volume of waste produced by the beauty industry every year. They either end up in landfill, where they fail to fully decompose, or they flow into the ocean, often harming sea life.
Some 9.3 million wet wipes are flushed down UK toilets every day, while the production of 1kg of cotton — or 15-20 standard packs of cotton pads — uses 20,000 litres of water. Environmental concerns aside, the preservatives used to keep wipes bacteria-free can irritate dry and sensitive skin. Ever been left with a stinging face after "cleansing" with a wipe? That's why. So, swapping to reusable pads is not only kinder on the planet, it's gentler on your skin too.
Our panel of 69 testers trialled 12 reusable makeup remover products over a two-week period. They judged everything from the design and the material to how effective they were at removing makeup.
In the lab, we applied waterproof eyeliner, foundation and lipstick onto artificial skin. Once dry, we counted the number of swipes needed to remove the makeup with each product. We then wiped away any residual makeup on the skin to determine how effective the products were.
Here are our winners to help you play your eco part.
These large organic cotton pads have two sides for cleansing and toning. Unbleached and fully biodegradable, the eight pads come with an organic cotton drawstring bag for use in the washing machine.
Our testers loved their size and found the cotton gentle and smooth on their skin. Our panel agreed that they lifted makeup well, with our stringent lab test backing up their glowing reports.
Despite the budget price, these multi-use Primark pads seriously impressed our panel. One tester told us: “Gentle on the skin but harsh on makeup, these reusable cotton pads are soft, easily washable, and remove stubborn mascara brilliantly!”
We had a few comments about the rounds being too small, but others enjoyed the agility this gave them when cleaning the corners of their eyes or around the nose. At £2 for ten, they’re gentle on your savings, too.
This set features 12 soft velvet pads for everyday cleansing, and four scrub terry pads for exfoliation and more stubborn makeup removal. Our testers appreciated the textural variety, with most agreeing they removed makeup and exfoliated skin effectively.
The lab score reflected the extra effort required to lift stubborn mascara. That said, these pads proved easy to clean and quick to dry, with minimal fraying or staining.
Score: 81/100 This cloth aims to remove even the toughest makeup without the use of synthetic makeup removers. The vast majority of our testers found it effectively erased all traces of makeup using only warm water. Its soft material felt kind to the skin and they liked the choice of seven bright shades.
It scored an average 6/10 in our lab test, and some found it struggled to remove waterproof mascara, but our panel said they would happily wave goodbye to disposables and continue using this instead. It can also be popped in the washing machine up to 500 times.
Score: 79/100 Made from organic cotton and naturally antibacterial bamboo, these three-inch cleansing pads are ideal for removing makeup or applying toner. They scored highly for their simple design, which resembled disposable pads, and proved effective at removing most makeup.
However, they lost points for struggling with waterproof mascara. The textured material exfoliated well but some testers thought it felt a little harsh around the eyes. Note that these pads are liable to shrink by up to 10% when washed, so put them on a cool cycle and don't tumble dry.
Score: 77/100 Crafted from specially knitted microfibres, this cleansing mitt quickly and effectively removes makeup using nothing but water, which helps to protect the skin's natural acid mantle.
Our testers enjoyed trialling this mitt, unanimously agreeing that it's straightforward to use and easy to hold. Overall, testers found it effective at removing all traces of makeup, but some struggled with their waterproof mascara. That same issue also lost it points in our lab test.
Score: 75/100 The dual-sided mitt features a rougher side for exfoliation and a fine weave side for the gentle removal of makeup. It fits snugly over fingers and an internal sponge layer retains heat and moisture to enhance the cleanse.
All our testers loved the design and found it removed all traces of makeup when used with their chosen cleanser.
Score: 74/100 Perfect for sensitive skin and eyes, this soft microfibre cleansing cloth removes all makeup with water alone. It grabs onto the makeup particles and holds them within the cloth, rather than smearing dirt across your face.
It proved effective at removing most makeup quickly in the lab. Our testers enjoyed trialling it, but those who wear tough mascara struggled slightly. Magnitone claims that it can be reused 1,000 times and is machine washable at 30°C, too. Its soft material dries quickly, making it suitable for travelling.
Created with two layers of 100% organic bamboo cotton fleece, these pads are suitable for all skin types. With an 8cm diameter, they aim to replace regular cotton rounds and can be used repeatedly after washing.
Our testers loved the design and thought they had a quality feel. They effectively removed all makeup with a cleanser, but some testers found the fabric too harsh for use around the eyes. This set of 18 pads comes packaged in a laundry bag and sustainable wooden storage cylinder.
Score: 71/100 These funky 11cm pads feature a soft padded minky side and a gentle bamboo side. All our testers found them straightforward to use and enjoyed their soft texture. They were happy with the size, which removed makeup quickly and reduced the need to use several pads.
Light makeup lifted easily but stubborn mascara proved trickier to remove. The pads are available in a range of designs and come with a wash bag and coconut oil for cleansing.
In most cases, you simply apply your chosen makeup remover directly to the pad and use it to wipe away makeup.
Some mitts and cloths are made from materials such as microfibre that only require water for cleansing. Microfibre is densely fibrous and super absorbent. When wet, the fibres break up the oils that bind makeup to your skin and easily lift it off. Remember to follow this process with your usual cleansing routine though.
The skin on your face is more delicate than the rest of the body, so avoid anything scratchy that may irritate it. Soft is best; think microfibre, bamboo, fleece and brushed cotton.
Most reusable cotton pads can be thrown in the washing machine, but others require hand-washing. Some come with mesh or cotton wash bags that are designed to keep the pads together. Washing instructions vary between brands but can usually be found on the packaging.
If washed and cared for correctly, most reusable pads, cloths and mitts will last you years. Expect up to 500 or 1,000 washes.
Yes, reusable makeup remover pads are designed to be used in the same way as disposable ones. Toner will wash out easily, but some staining may occur from nail polish. However, if washed and dried properly, this shouldn’t affect their cleansing capability.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Orla is our Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester and has extensive knowledge of skin and hair composition thanks to her first class bachelor's degree in cosmetic science from the Universy of the Arts London. She also spent time as a Formulation Chemist intern at Amelia Knight Cosmetics.
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