Cotton pads are boring, I know. But they’re also ridiculously versatile and can be incorporated throughout your skincare routine. That’s right, cotton pads can do more than just remove your makeup, and this post will discuss how they can be used, and why they’re really the only skincare tools you need.
5 other ways to use cotton pads
- Cotton pads are great for applying watery toners and first essences. Be sure to still soak the pad with a generous amount, and massage in an upward + outward motion. This helps evenly distribute the product on your skin and provides gentle exfoliation via the fibers of the pad!
- One of my favorite ways to use cotton pads is for thicker toners and essences. Apply a generous amount on the pad and massage in a circular motion, moving up and out. This not only ensure even product distribution, it also helps improve blood circulation, which then helps with product absorption.
- If you use emulsion or a milky lotion, try applying it with a cotton pad instead of your hand! The goal is the same as above – improving product absorption and distribution. Certain emulsions (Albion and Naruko ones especially) actually work better with a cotton pad, so definitely try it out.
- Cotton pads are great for lotion (aka toner) masking! Just soak 4-5 pads with your favorite toner and apply them on your face so it covers as much as possible. Leave on for about 3 minutes to give your skin an extra boost of hydration. Use them alone, or with a gel mask a la sandwich masking!
- Don’t throw away the used pads immediately! Use them on your neck, your hands, or anywhere else on your body for a light cleansing effect + extra hydration.
I know high tech beauty gadgets are so hot right now, but do any of them provide this kind of versality? Not to mention, they’re pretty expensive too. I would know because I bought a Clarisonic Mia 3, and while I used it religiously at first, I barely touch it now. Meanwhile cotton pads will always be my go-to skincare tool, even more so now that I’ve found different ways of using it!
When in doubt, always follow the instructions on the product. Many of them suggest applying with a cotton pad – not with your hands! Now you know why.
Which cotton pads should I buy?
I’m sorry but Asian cotton pads are the way to go. The western ones are good for removing makeup and maybe dabbing on toner, but I’m not sure if they’ll hold up when you start massaging with them. Here are some of my recommendations:
- Albion Facial Cottons-L (soft) – As the name suggest, these are super soft, and they can be peeled into 5 thinner layers, which is perfect for lotion masking.
- MUJI Facial Soft Cut Cotton – These look dirty at first, but that’s because they’re unbleached. They work just as well as Albion at half the price, but they’re also on the smaller side.
- Lalune 100% Cotton Facial Puff – Unlike the Albion and Muji, each puff only has 1 layers, so you can’t peel it apart for lotion masking. The plus side is that they soak up less product and are the most resistant to pilling.
- Shiseido Facial Cotton – I haven’t personally tried these, but reviews compare them to the Albion ones (which I really like myself)
For me incorporating cotton pads in various steps of my skincare routine has really helped with product absorption. Previously certain essences would leave my skin feeling sticky afterwards if I applied them by hand. But after switching to a cotton pad and massing the product in, my skin is left feeling softer, more hydrated, and not sticky at all!
Hope you found this post helpful, and let me know if you have any other ways of using cotton pads, or if you have any brand recommendations. Happy Friday!
Yes cotton pads are the much under-appreciated but much needed staple in everyone’s beauty closet.
I’ve heard such wonderful things about the Muji ones, I guess it’s time I started investing!
Sophie | MapleTreeBlog
Muji surprisingly has some great beauty products! I heard their cleansing oil is fantastic too! ??
I use their cleansing oil! It seems to get the job done, it also has a nice olive oil smell. I think it is a bit pricey but I’m kinda cheap when it comes to cleansers lol.
Hi Daniel! Sorry, but which brand were you referring to? I’m going to guess Muji because I’ve heard good things about their cleansing oil :P
those clarisonic trend is so ridiculously expensive! especially the foreo thing from sephora. it’s hella expensive wth :)) i mean, maybe they DO make a difference for some people but to me, it’s not a hardcore necessity. i’ve heard of facial brush and sponge though. i might try a sponge just because it sounds fun. i still think our hands are the best method to wash our face, despite how basic it is.
it’s funny because hadalabo suggests applying their lotion with hand, lol. i used to apply toner with cotton pad too but ever since i turn into a hadalabo fan, i always use my hand and i love it more for some reason. not sure why, maybe it’s the patting lol
the shiseido facial cotton is so high end, isn’t it? i’ve heard other people review it and they DO say it’s super soft and stuff.
I’ve never tried the Foreo, but I agree, the price is pretty steep D: The thing with all facial brushes and sponges though is that you need to replace them regularly, and those replacements can get expensive. I suppose the same is with cotton pads, but the replacement cost is much cheaper ;)
If the toner recommends using your hands, then I’d definitely follow the instructions on there. Using cotton pads was just something I experimented with and found worked well, so it’s worth trying if you find that using your hands isn’t as effective.
I love cotton pads! I first heard about the masking method from some Japanese lady who wrote a book called (I believe) The Japanese Skincare Revolution. Thanks for the in depth post!
http://gaeumak.blogspot.com/
You’re welcome Sarah! I actually have that book, and she shares some great skincare techniques. Her skin is incredible for her age, so I’ve been trying to follow her tips!