The Best Cotton Rounds and Pads

Cliganic Premium Cotton Rounds

Soft and Simple

Lint-free and hypoallergenic, these soft cotton pads are gentle enough for daily skincare use.

Best Overall

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A good routine keeps our skin in good shape, sure — but in our humble opinion, skincare is all about pampering ourselves. There’s a reason we don’t rub toilet tissue on our tired skin at the end of the day. That’s why material and functionality are so important when choosing the right cotton pad for our routine. If you’re looking for softness and absorbance, then the Cliganic Premium Cotton Round has your back. These 100% hypoallergenic cotton pads won’t irritate your skin. Easily soak up your favorite toners and serums and apply them without getting any extra additives in the mix. And because these pads are lint-free, you won’t have little bits of cotton that remain on your skin after use.

Pros:

• Good cost value
• No added chemicals or fragrance
• Cruelty-free testing

Cons:

• Two layers of the pad come apart easily

Swisspers 100% Cotton Ovals

Opt for Oval

The larger size and shape of these thicker cotton rounds absorbs more liquid for a quicker application.

Runner Up

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One of the benefits of using makeup remover wipes is that one wipe can usually take off most of the products on our faces. And while this seems like a small difference, if we’re doing this every day, the little bit of time we save in not pulling extra cotton rounds out adds up. Thankfully, the folks at Swisspers took this extra bit of time into consideration when designing their thick cotton ovals. About an inch longer than regular cotton rounds, these double-sided pads absorb more in one go and cover more surface area upon application, meaning you have fewer scrunched up rounds on the floor afterward.

Pros:

• Larger size than other brands
• Stitched edge to keep pad together
• Thick, absorbent cotton
• Have a quilted side and a smooth side

Cons:

• Higher cost for larger product

Greenzla Reusable Cotton Pads

Clean Face, Clean Conscience

Not only are these reusable cotton rounds 100% biodegradable, but the laundry bag and storage container they come with are as well.

Most Eco-Friendly

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As we become more environmentally conscious, we find that some disposable products are easier to replace than others. While there might be easy swaps for plastic bags and paper towels, it’s often a tall order to find reusable options for hygienic accessories that don’t end up feeling a little dingy. Well, we’re here to tell you about these incredible reusable cotton pads by Greenzla. Use these pads as you would your normal disposable ones — maybe even multiple times, thanks to their thickness — and then simply wash them afterward in the included laundry bag. Store the pads in the provided storage container, and after years of use, simply through the container, bag, and pads in the compost bin, and you’re good to go.

Pros:

• Gentle enough for use on all skin types
• 100% organic bamboo cotton
• Soft even after washing

Cons:

• Higher cost, but we love a good sustainable solution
• Pads come out scrunched and curled post-wash, but they still get the job done

DecorRack Cotton Rounds

More Value, More Versatility

Get 10 packs of these 100-count natural cotton rounds for less than half the price of other brands.

Best Bulk Buy

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We know buying ten packs of cotton pads in one purchase might seem a little overboard. But let’s be real — have you ever actually had any unused leftovers of these do-it-all doodads? If you’re like us, you’ve likely experienced the exact opposite — running out of the pads at the moment you need them most. Why not stock up in advance with this budget bulk buy of soft, absorbent cotton rounds from DecorRack? Throw a few packs in your suitcase for indulgent traveling or put one in every bathroom of your house for ease of use. Just keep in mind that because these pads are slightly thinner than other brands, you’ll want to double up if soaking up a lot of liquid.

Pros:

• Resealable bags for easy storage
• Hypo-allergenic
• Waffle-textured quilting

Cons:

• Material is thinner than other brands

Swisspers Premium Exfoliating Rounds

Dual-Sided for Dual-Function

The rougher side of this cotton round is great for exfoliation, while the smoother side is perfect for applying toner and lotion.

Best Exfoliating

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When it comes to a nightly skincare routine, there’s virtually no limit to the number of steps you can have, but most routines boil down to an essential three: cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. While you need different products for each of those stages, a good cotton round can be used for all three of them. That’s why we love this premium dual-sided pad by Swisspers. Use the textured, micro-bead surface on one side to scrub away makeup and exfoliate the skin as part of your cleansing process. And then switch the pad over to the softer, embossed side to apply toners and moisturizers in steps two and three. Talk about a well-rounded pad.

Pros:

• 100% hypoallergenic cotton
• Good absorbency
• Stitched, multi-layer design

Cons:

• Can leave bits of lint behind

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cotton rounds better than cotton balls and regular old tissue paper?

In short, absolutely. We’ll put this one to rest first — there’s really no comparison when it comes to cotton rounds and thinner, rougher tissue paper, both in terms of gentleness and absorbance capabilities. Now, when it comes to cotton balls, while the products seem similar, cotton rounds were specifically designed for use in skincare applications. Cotton balls generally soak up too much product — an expensive problem when serums cost as much as they do these days — and don’t dispense the solution as uniformly as the flatter cotton rounds do.

How do I properly dispose of my cotton pads?

Unfortunately, cotton wool, which most cotton balls and cotton rounds are made of, is not recyclable and needs to go in the regular trash. While some disposable cotton pads can go in the compost bin, that ultimately depends on their composition and what solutions you’ve used them to remove since certain chemicals can disrupt the microbe process in your bin. If you want to avoid waste, we recommend getting reusable, washable pads that can be composted at the end of their longer lifespan.