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12 Reusable Makeup Remover Pads For a More Sustainable 2024

An easy swap.

Best reusable makeup remover pads collaged against water background

Byrdie / Amelia Manley

Have you ever thought about the impact your beauty routine is having on the environment? From the numerous plastic bottles that house your favorite cleansers and serums to those single-use items such as face wipes and cotton pads, your three-step routine could be creating some serious landfill.

The good news is that the beauty industry has been quick to listen to the concerns of its consumers, and reusable makeup remover pads are now just as easy to buy as regular wipes. Beauty essentials that are better for the planet and your wallet? Sign us up. 

The reusable options in our line-up were chosen for their ability to make light work of a variety of tasks–from applying essences to removing stubborn waterproof makeup and exfoliating the skin. The best part? They come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, materials, and price points to help you find the best ones for your specific needs. 

Keep reading for the best reusable makeup remover pads available.

What We Like
  • Soft material 

  • Machine-washable

  • Can use on face, eyes, and neck 

What We Don’t Like
  • Reviewers note they get lost in laundry

Looking for a reusable makeup remover that can be used for just about everything? These pads from Biossance do it all. Made with towel-like bamboo material, they’re soft enough to use on your face, eyes, or neck and even the most sensitive of skin. Some reviewers mention that these pads get lost pretty easily in the wash, so we suggest keeping your used cotton pads in the washable bag before you throw them into the washing machine. 

Material: Cotton | Size: 7 pads | Shape: Round

What We Like
  • Great for deep cleaning

  • Fit into the palm of your hands 

What We Don’t Like
  • Difficult to wash darker makeup from cloth

These makeup remover pads are a great wallet-friendly option for those looking to stock up, or even dip their toes into trying reusable makeup removers. Each pack contains 16 pads (equivalent to 2,000 cotton balls), and we found they were super-effective at deeply cleansing the skin and removing makeup and sunscreen with ease. The one downside? Darker makeup does tend to hang around on the pads, so you might need to throw in a bit of stain remover to your usual wash to keep them white.

Material: Bamboo | Size: 16 3.15-inch pads | Shape: Round

What We Like
  • Soft material 

  • Multi-use tool

  • Machine-washable

What We Don’t Like
  • Difficult to wash darker makeup from cloth

  • Requires daily cleaning 

Sure, you could splurge on a luxurious reusable makeup remover, but this Garnier one works just as well (if not better) than its pricier counterparts. Its thin, velvety microfiber pad activates with just a tad of micellar water to thoroughly remove makeup and rid skin of any residue. “These work with micellar technology to act as a magnet, pulling up the dirt and makeup—and they’re machine washable,” says Sarah Uslan, a celebrity makeup artist and founder of LULA. If you wear heavy eye makeup or foundation, however, you might find that your pads are left with stains. 

Material: Microfiber | Size: 3 4.9-inch pads | Shape: Round

What We Like
  • Soft material 

  • Includes a storage case and laundry bag

  • Machine-washable

What We Don’t Like
  • Pricey

  • May irritate sensitive skin 

Made with an ultra-soft yet slightly exfoliating terry-like texture, you’ll adore using these cloths for daily or deep cleansing. The reusable rounds hold up beautifully wash after wash—they arrive with an included mesh laundry bag, so simply throw them in there and wash with other towels—and come housed in a gorgeous vegan pink leather case. They’re also a favorite of Uslan. “These are anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and organic, '' she explains. “They feel extra soft but also have a subtle texture to help exfoliate while using.” If we were to point out a downside, it’s that their exfoliating texture may be irritating for very sensitive skin, plus they’re on the pricier end of the price range. 

Material: Lyocell fabric | Size: 14 0.31-inch pads | Shape: Round

What We Like
  • Gentle on the skin 

  • Only requires water

  • Easy to clean and store 

What We Don’t Like
  • Must clean after every two uses

Read Full Review: I Tried the Sustainable Makeup Remover Every Top MUA Is Obsessed With

Trying to remove heavy makeup to no avail? Grab a Face Halo. All you have to do is wet this pad and scrub your face to remove even the harshest of waterproof mascaras or long-wearing lipsticks instantly—sans any harsh scrubbing or tugging—with just a bit of water. “It’s so easy to use because with added water you don't need an extra cleanser,” advises Uslan. 

Plus, each pad is said to be made of a special fiber that’s 100 times finer than human hair and can effectively trap dirt and makeup.  If you find Face Halo’s original white pads too high maintenance, they’ve just released a new pink range which we’re obsessed with. Either way, you’ll need to wash your pads with warm water after use before machine washing.

Material: HaloTech | Size: 3 6-inch pads | Shape: Round

What We Like
  • Gently exfoliates

  • Opens up pores, cleanses, and tones 

  • Machine-washable

What We Don’t Like
  • Thinner material 

Upgrade your standard washcloths for these luxurious muslin ones. The 100% cotton, tightly woven material is incredible at removing dirt, oil, and makeup in conjunction with your favorite cleanser, which gives it the added benefit of acting as a gentle physical exfoliant, too. Also nice: The gentle, absorbent factor only gets better (and softer) with each use. 

Material: Cotton | Size: 3 3.5-inch pads | Shape: Square

Byrdie Tip

Control how much sloughing you want by the amount of pressure you use as you rub it across your skin.

What We Like
  • Double-sided

  • Equals 3,600 makeup wipes 

  • Antibacterial

  • Great for sensitive skin

What We Don’t Like
  • Pricey

  • Must use with a balm or cleanser 

Read Full Review: This Makeup Remover Cloth Turned Me Into a Believer

Just one of these antibacterial rectangular clothes will last you three to five years and can replace up to 3,600 makeup wipes (yes, we’re serious). Each is created with a polyester cloth that's successful at removing waterproof makeup, eyeliner, lipstick, and foundation with just a smidge of water (though they also work great with cleanser). Since it’s double-sided, keep in mind that one side contains shorter fibers for cleansing and makeup removal, while the other side uses slightly longer fibers for an exfoliating effect. Yes, they are quite expensive, but as they last for such a long time, the cost per use works out well. 

Material: Polyester | Size: 1 15.5-inch pad | Shape: Oval

What We Like
  • Comes in various designs

  • Machine-washable

  • Soft material

What We Don’t Like
  • Some skincare products absorb into the material 

Created with 100% organic cotton flannel, these reusable facial rounds feel just as good as your favorite set of sheets. Silky and smooth, you’ll get the ideal level of absorbency and 20-machine washable pads in a single pack. They also come in varying colors and prints, so you can upgrade your boring white ones. Our main complaint is that some skincare products absorb into the material quite easily, so we had to use a bit more than usual. 

Material: Cotton | Size: 20 3-inch pads | Shape: Round

What We Like
  • Great for sensitive skin

  • Specifically designed to remove eye makeup

  • Soft material

What We Don’t Like
  • Pricey 

Confession: All of the reusable makeup removers on this list will take your eye makeup off, but this one, in particular, is our favorite. The tear-drop shape allows you to get effortlessly into those hard-to-reach spots. The tapered end wipes off mascara and liner, and the rounded side evaporates all traces of shadow and brow products. Plus, its small size also has an insert that fits over two or three of your fingers, allowing you to get into those nitty-gritty spots. They are one of our most expensive options, but if you fall in love with them like we have, they’ll become a daily essential you can’t live without. 

Material: Polyester | Size: 5 0.25-inch pads | Shape: Teardrop with rounded edge and small pointed edge

What We Like
  • Multi-use tool

  • Machine-washable

  • Gentle on the skin

What We Don’t Like
  • Size may be too big for some

  • Some skincare products absorb into the material

Consciously created and silky smooth, these mini face rounds will quickly become a necessity in your daily skincare routine. Not only are they sustainably made from organic cotton and bamboo, but they are ideal for applying your favorite toner or essence, removing makeup, or cleansing away any dirt, grime, or residue. Our favorite part? After you finish using them, you can just throw them in the wash and reuse them. They are on the larger side, so are better for removing face makeup than getting into the smaller corners of the eyes, etc.  

Material: Cotton and bamboo | Size: 7 pads | Shape: Round

Best for Sensitive Skin

HOPESHINE Makeup Remover Cloths

HOPESHINE Face Makeup Remover Cloths
PHOTO:

Amazon

What We Like
  • Comes in various designs

  • Great for sensitive skin

  • Soft material

What We Don’t Like
  • Not ideal for eye makeup removal

  • Requires daily cleaning

If you’re someone who loves using disposable face wipes, you’ll appreciate the square shape of these makeup remover cloths. The 12 by 12-inch side is great for cleaning your entire face, and removing every last bit of makeup. Since they’re created with soft microfiber material and scalloped edges, there are no scratchy sides or corners to worry about when using them, which is why they are great for sensitive skin. And we’d be remiss to mention that they’re ultra-gentle as well.  If we were to be picky, we didn’t find them brilliant at removing eye makeup, so you might need smaller round pads for that.

Material: Microfiber | Size: 3 12-inch pads | Shape: Square

What We Like
  • Gently exfoliates

  • Only requires water

What We Don’t Like
  • May irritate sensitive skin 

Swap your loofah for this mitt from Jane Iredale. With just one usage, it’ll remove any trace of makeup, including the most stubborn of waterproof makeup products. The mitt is also created with a knitted microfiber material that's thinner than hair, buffing away dead skin cells and leaving you with super smooth skin. We wouldn’t recommend this for daily use if you have particularly sensitive skin, though, as the exfoliating texture might cause irritation.

Material: Microfiber | Size: 1 mitt | Shape: Mitt

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for the best reusable makeup remover, Biossance Reduce, Reuse, Rejoice Cotton Pads is the cream of the crop, in our opinion. For those looking to remove the most stubborn of makeup, opt for the Face Halo Original. It’s made of a special microfiber material that’s 100 times finer than human hair, which allows it to effectively trap dirt, makeup, and more with only a little bit of water. Drugstore shoppers should check out Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Eco Pads, Reusable, 3 Pack, an affordable alternative to other reusable makeup wipes, while those who are looking to remove stubborn eye makeup should try The Makeup Mitty 3-Pack Ultra-Gentle Makeup Removers

Meet the Expert

Sarah Uslan is celebrity makeup artist and founder of LULA. 

What to Look for in Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

Material

Make sure the reusable makeup remover is made out of sturdy material like cotton, microfiber, or bamboo. “I like to see that they were well made, where they won’t fall apart after only one wash,” explains Uslan. 

Feel

The reusable makeup remover wipes should feel soft to the touch. Harsher materials may irritate your skin, so it’s best to check out how they feel before using them on your face. 

Holder or Laundry Bag

Check if they come with something to store them in. “It helps when they come with a holder or a laundry bag so you can easily use, clean, and take with you,” says Uslan. 

FAQ
  • How do you use reusable makeup remover pads?

    To use, either saturate the pad with makeup remover or wet with warm water, advises Uslan. “Apply a drop of gentle facial cleanser and begin with circular motions to remove any makeup and residue off the skin.” If you use a gentle cleanser, Uslan recommends re-rinsing throughout the cleansing process to ensure you get every last bit of residue. 

  • How do you wash reusable makeup remover pads?

    To clean the reusable pad or cloth, Uslan recommends handwashing it with gentle soap and laying it on a towel to try. “I suggest machine washing once or twice a week with Dreft baby detergent for a thorough clean as well.” 

  • What fabric is best for reusable pads?

    Reusable makeup remover pads are made from a range of soft fabrics such as bamboo, brushed cotton, microfiber, and terry cloth. These fabrics are soft on the skin and also antibacterial, even after washing. 

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Rachel Dube has written for some of the biggest digital beauty publications out there. As a way to do her part in reducing waste, she has recently turned to reusable makeup remover pads. While using them, she’s found that they make a world of difference in removing makeup and other residues from her face at the end of the day. 

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any reusable makeup remover pads from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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