So, cotton pads or make-up wipes?

Either way, they’re probably not great for the environment.

Some options like 100% cotton pads are compostable, but almost anything you use to wipe all that stuff off your face is going to be a one-and-done kind of deal.

Wipes are the third most wasteful product in the world. I personally just think wipes are too expensive and I feel worse throwing those away, so I just used cotton pads up until a year ago.

MakeUp Eraser

That was when I was visiting my friend at Virginia Tech, and I saw that she had a little makeup cloth that she said removed everything if you just wet it a little bit. I was really excited when it actually worked. 

I didn’t get one until I saw the same product at Marshall’s (It will be cheaper here or at TJ Maxx than anywhere else) but in cotton round form. It looked so cute and convenient AND sustainable that I definitely bought myself a pack of four. 

They’re machine washable, and they even last up to 5 years. 

The best part is that all you need is water, so you don’t need to buy makeup remover products. 

I’m kind of anal about keeping my face towel really clean, so I didn’t like the thought of just reusing the same dirty cloth every day. 

I realized that can be avoided really easily by just washing it immediately after I use it because the makeup washes off it as quickly as it came off my face. 

100% Organic Cotton Rounds

If you swear by your micellar water or toner, don’t worry. These are just like the cheap cotton pads you use from the store but you can wash and reuse them. 

There are lots of choices when it comes to these, so choose whichever brand fits your needs and values (some come with a little bag to throw them in the washing machine). 

Also, don’t freak out if they shrink a little in the wash. It is 100% cotton after all. 

Despite their name, most cotton rounds actually have synthetic fibers in them, and they have usually been bleached. And I’m not even going to pretend to know what is in those Neutrogena wipes everyone uses.

So it’s a win-win, right? You’re using more natural products on your face, buying less, AND throwing away less. Go you.

Happy sustainable make-up removing!

S.