Hands up if you think this is a funny question :D
I thought so too but its one I had been thinking about because I have realised that people have very set preferences for the most simple and basic of things. Facial cotton pads being one of them.
What say you, do you have a favourite facial cotton pad? The one that you think is THE. BEST. COTTON. PAD. EVER. MADE!
I actually don’t haha! But I’ll tell you about a few I’ve tried and what I think of them and the one I keep buying over and over again for a practical reason; and maybe you could tell me what your favourite is and whether we should all go out and buy that one instead ;)
Here are 3 packs of facial cotton that I have on me at the moment. I had a couple more boxes – one from Daiso because I’d read that they were affordable for the quality, and another by Muji which was some popular cotton puffs.
The weirdest one I’d ever come across is the Watsons Air-laid Facial Puffs you see in the box. They are supposed to be lint free but they have the weirdest texture. It feels like paper to the touch and feels like sandpaper on my skin. Yucks! I have a whole box of it so I use it for things like removing nail polish (when I wear it) and removing swatches from my skin. Otherwise, its just a waste of money. Don’t buy :P
I also tried a couple of boxes of various Daiso cotton pads that come in boxes. The cotton pads from Daiso came with sealed edges that I know many people like. I didn’t like the texture. I found it too rough against my skin especially when I use it to remove makeup at the end of the day. I think it would be fine for removing nail polish but on skin, nope. I wasn’t impressed. Its not that cheap either when I think about it. RM5 for a box of about 100 pieces when I can get my usual for RM10 for 3 packs of over 600 pieces! :P
Yes, you might have guessed that my usual brand of facial cotton I go for is the one from Guardian pharmacy. They often come in value packs of 3 with 50% extra a pack at about RM10 or so and when I see them go on offer, I just pick it up and it can last me a while. I don’t get the ones from Watson’s though. I didn’t like them as they separate and leave bits all over my face. The ones from Guardian feel softer on my skin and doesn’t come off on my skin when I run it over my face. These days, ever since I restarted using a toner/lotion and cleansing water for makeup removal, I find myself running through cotton pads fairly quickly so something cheap that works well does the job perfectly for me.
I tried the Muji Cotton Puffs which have sealed edges are are a mesh cotton pad but I didn’t like them either. I was sort of glad about that because it would have been really pricey otherwise!
The Muji Peelable Cotton however is a good one to have on hand. I don’t use it to remove makeup or apply toner, but its great for doing a quick at home mask! Each piece of cotton peels off into 4 thinner pieces so you just have to soak 1 piece in your favourite lotion, peel them off, put them on your skin and relax for a few minutes for a quick pick me up. Perfect! It costs RM10.90 a pack which isn’t cheap, but you don’t use it daily so its ok.
I’ve also tried cotton pads from Kanebo and they are very nice too. They are thick and plush with 2 different sides, so one side is a softer cotton while the other side is a mesh for exfoliation. They are pretty pricey though so when I get samples, I hoard them like crazy. Haven’t been far too inclined to pay over RM20 for a pack of cotton pads yet :P
I’ve tried a few from various Korean brands too but I find them too thin and too rough. Sealed edges to a cotton pad is a good idea to stop them from separating as you go, but I’ve never had that problem with my el-cheapo Guardian ones so I’m not sure I understand the problem. I sometimes find that the sealed edge, if not well done, can actually hurt your skin if you aren’t careful.
I’ve heard that Shiseido cotton pads too get lots of raves but every time I think of buying a pack to try, my wallet screams at me audibly “ARE. YOU. MAD?” so I meekly put it back and walk away. Some day, I’ll ignore the screaming and try it but its not happening yet haha! :D
Do you have a favourite brand of facial cotton pad? What the best one you’ve ever used?
So that’s me. I buy cheap cotton pads in value packs that do the job well enough for me, without leaving bits of cotton all over my face. I go through a few pieces each time so its a good thing I don’t have expensive tastes when it comes to something as basic as this :P You?
Paris B
I use the drugstore value packs too! Watson’s cotton pads do the job for cheap. I find that mine is decent and does not leave lint-like bits on my face at all. We get x% extra every once in a while too. I have backups with 60% more free, which I got on sale. Win!
Maybe different Watson’s worldwide have different quality :D I love grabbing the value packs! At least I don’t feel too bad when I have to use a few pieces each time :D
I only use one type of cotton pad, Facial Cotton by Pan-Mate :). It doesn’t separate easily unlike Premier. 3 big pack cost only RM9+ at certain pharmacy or RM10.99 (I think) at Metrojaya. This one I hoard whenever I saw them haha!
I tried Premier once and never again. You’re right, it separates so easily and left fluff all over yucks! I haven’t seen Pan-Mate around. Sounds like an amazing deal! :)
Yeeaaaaaahhh that’s quite a weird question but you’ve asked me weirder stuff, so all’s forgiven! :D
I don’t actually have a favourite one to be honest. I get the cheapest I can and I usually stock up from Watsons. You can squish them easily and they fit nicely into the suitcase. Takes up no room and weight at all. I only ever use them when I use my BIoderma cleanser in the morning and I only use 1 square so those packs can last me for a loooong time.
With nail polish removal, I usually cut them up into 4s. I apply nail colour almost every other day and if I chop them into 4s, I technically need to use only ONE square to remove the colour from 10 fingers. KIAMSIAP WIN!
I do the same too when i remove nail polishes – to save on the cotton pads coz i go through alot of them as I change my manicure on a weekly basis. :D
Out of curiosity, is 1 cotton pad enough for all 10 fingers? I have to use 2 usually.
It depends on the colour to be honest. If it was black (e.g. OPI’s Black Onyx) I might require a lot more because the black does stain quite a fair bit. Jelly-ish colours are easy, I can be done with all 10 fingers with 1 pad.
Does gel nail polish lasts longer? Which brand would you recommend? I have never tried it before… :p
Haha I think I’ll start gaining a rep for asking weird questions ;) That’s an interesting trick for using them for nail polish removal! I usually go through about 3 pieces to remove nail colour when I do paint my nails and then make a big mess of it. I’ll have to try your trick next time. Efficient and cost effective!
I have both budget and splurge facial cottons. I use both daily. It is meant for use. I can’t stand looking at opened stuff and not using it. That defeats the purpose of buying it in the first place. I love Daiso’s and Kanebo’s. Previously, it was Watson’s and RMK’s.
I’d heard a lot about RMK cotton too. That good? Kanebo’s is really awesome isn’t it? I love the thickness and the 2 textures they have. So lovely on skin!
RMK cotton is similar to Kanebo cotton. Both are equally good. There’s one that I like but they don’t have it for sale (maybe they do but I am not sure at all). It is thinner than whatever facial cottons I have used so far, but boy, it’s good.
I hardly ever buy cotton pads as I only use them to remove nail polish… and I don’t polish that often either so one box takes me years to finish (now that i think of it – still using the same box i got from India in 2008 / 2009 – eeppss do cotton pads have an expiry date? :P)! Haha! :D
The best one I’ve tried so far is the one from The Body Shop. They’re really soft and doesn’t ball up when swiped across my face. They’re pretty pricey though – RM15.90 for 100 pieces o.O
haha erm.. actually I don’t think there’s an expiry date for cotton pads :P When I wasn’t using toner and was using cleansing oil, I never saw the need for cotton pads either. Its only when I started using them actively that made me think about the ones I use. I’m glad I have budget tastes when it comes to this haha!
No. I go by types rather than brands. I prefer those cotton pads that are sealed on two sides, or all four sides. Watsons and Daiso do have such cotton pads, and I find them good enough.
Yep, I tried a couple from Daiso with the sealed edges. Didn’t see the benefits of them though. But maybe its to do with how I hold the cotton pad so maybe it doesn’t make a difference? Funny eh how we all have preferences even for cotton pads!
I actually love trying out different cotton pads :P I’ve purchased expensive ones, cheap ones, weird ones, big ones, small ones from all sorts of brands. I have a pack from Muji which I have yet to open (‘cos once they’re gone, they’re gone. Sob). I have a box of Guardian ones that Bea brought for me from Malaysia which were recommended by Xin (the giant ones). They’re all right. When in Malaysia, I get the el-cheapo Giant, Watsons or Guardian ones. Like the ones you bought, 3 for RM10 :P
Over here, after trying out many from Woolworths, Coles, Johnson & Johnson, Priceline, Swisspers and more, my favourite is still the cheap pack from Priceline. They’re quite thick, hold a lot of juice and don’t pill at all. In fact, they’re the only cotton pads I’ve used that aren’t at all linty :D
Interesting isn’t it, how after going round the block, we still come back to the cheap ones. I just figure out after a while, that if I’m going to run through these things like water, I’d better find something affordable else my money too will run out like water!
I like facial cottons from Guardian too! They are soft & do not leave bits of cotton :) I’ve tried some other brands but they are not as soft on my skin. Some of rough & I feel like as if my skin is going to tear or something of that sort >.< I think your topic is interesting. Facial cottons are one of the basic things we use and need everyday :)
I mean *facial cotton pads. Sorry.
Haha glad you didn’t think me weird, Rin ;) I never really thought about it when I settled for Guardian ones but when I did, it made sense because its so lovely and soft!
I’ve heard of Chanel cotton pads before! Yes, I’ve seen the Shiseido cotton pads before, terribly pricey!
Actually I cannot for the life of me figure out what’s the name of the brand I buy, it’s in a clear packaging with a reddish/peachy and green design on it. Usually comes in packs like buy 2 free 1 sort of thing at the pharmacies. Been using that brand for yonks! Could be softer but it maintains its shape and doesn’t tear apart.
Goodness, are the Chanel ones embossed with the CC? :P You know, now that you mention it, I have seen the packaging – clear bag with a deep green and peachy pink design right? Not Premier I believe? I remember using it before and I don’t even remember when I switched to Guardian. Must have been years now! LOL!
I’m so cheap I don’t even pay retail price at Guardian/Watsons anymore (which is not that expensive, really) but when I see the Guardian 3-pack going for UNDER RM10 (or something to that effect) at their clearance sales.
For me, cotton pads are cotton pads are cotton pads.
Haha Ok, I just picked up a Guardian Value pack of 3 and it’s now about RM11. Still affordable considering it can last me about half a year, but if its going for under RM10, I’d pick up half a dozen and never buy them again for years :P
Not a weird question at all! I was just having the same thought last Saturday browsing through Sephora and contemplating if I should foot out RM9.90 for a small pack of cotton pads. Nah, I didn’t:) The Guardian ones serve their purpose and cotton pads are just that – cotton pads.
PS. I did plonk down RM105.00 for the UD All Nighter though!
haha! I too have been tempted to get some fancier cotton pads but never in the end. Wallet just cries and cries till I change my mind :P p/s A friend swears by the UD All Nighter for setting makeup, and I was also told by a makeup artist that its a great medium for mixing with cake liner!
I’ve tried a few affordable ones but Guardian is my basic everyday facial cotton. To me it is good for wiping but not for patting in lotion or toner. For patting SK-II FTE, I’m using Fresh Cotton from Daiso, RM5 for 130 pcs as they don’t separate but it is not good for wiping, if this make sense… XD
Another one I like from Daiso, 50 pcs (extra large) cotton for RM5 is thick and big enough to remove my clay mask before I rinse my face at the sink.
Tried Shiseido ones from Sasa many years ago. Good, thick, don’t separate cotton but not good for my wallet as I finish my FTE super fast coz of the thickness. So, expensive cotton + finish FTE super fast = double rugi for me. Didn’t repurchase after that.
So, at the moment my daily facial cotton are from Guardian and Daiso.
How interesting that so many of us are using Guardian cotton pads! :D I will have to agree with you about not using it to pat on lotions. When I used the SKII FTE, I would get very irritated by how the cotton pad separates when I pat it on too. These days, the toners/lotions I use are wipe on so it isn’t an issue :)
I almost always shop at Watson so I bought the Watson’s one. AND no wonder there’s always lint on my face. UGH! Now I know. I’ll switch to Guardian the next time I buy my cotton pads. Weird question but great post! :D
Haha you noticed the lint too right? I think most of us agree that the Guardian ones are pretty good and they’re all about the same price so well worth the switch :D
I separate the usage of each cotton pads that I’ve bought, and I might pick up the Guardian recommend by you soon. The cheapo option I currently using is from Sasa own brand, nothing too bad to complain about. And for Daiso, not every box worth for trying (i tried each of them actually). Some really good but still can’t beat Sasa’ / Guardian’s in price and package size. For applying toner / SK-II FTE, I’ll use Shiseido (bought from Sasa, one pack around rm11-12) or TBS round cotton pad. I’ll prefer the first one since it is not sealed at the edge and they’re sooooo soft~
Aww I like the Guardian cotton pads but its not exactly the world’s best cotton pad either LOL Does the job at a small pricetag, which is why I like it ;) But as you and another reader have pointed out, I won’t recommend it for patting on SK2 FTE. It’ll come apart and be horrible. The toners I use are just wipe on so there’s no patting involved and it doesn’t come apart :)
I was actually thinking when were you going to come up with this post. Hahahaha. You know, after I read your article on how to apply toners a few months back and saw the picture of how you store your cotton pads so neatly in a nice plastic box, I actually went on a hunt to buy myself one too and I found it at Daiso. LOL. Talk about you being my biggest skin care enabler! Must be the understatement of the year and my husband thinks I am bonkers for buying a plastic box just to place my cotton pads :-)
My favourite cotton pads are the same as yours from Guardian. But I buy the one in the blue cardboard box and always get them when it is buy 3 free 1. I bought a similar Muji cotton pad (I think the price is RM7.90 and might be slightly smaller than the RM10.90 in your picture) and I must say that I love it very much. It is so soft and after I soak the cotton pad with toner, I would place it on my face to cool it down. Feels really nice because of the softness of the cotton pad. Still thinking of getting this one to replace my Guardian ones but it is expensive.
I also love the Body Shop cotton pads and it comes in an unconventional round shape. It is pretty soft and stays in shape even after using it over my face. But it is pretty expensive though.
LOL You know what this means right, Victoria? You have the same weird thinking that I do! :P And I can’t believe you were inspired to put your cotton pads in a box LOL! I only did that because its just so much easier to handle and I had one of those boxes hanging around. You know how it is right? You buy a bunch of assorted storage pieces from Ikea and never know what to do with them… until now ;) I was in Guardian just yesterday and picked up another value pack of the cotton pads. I actually saw the ones you mention that come in a box and remembered your comment! I was thinking of picking it up because it was just about RM10 for 4 boxes but I didn’t in the end. Should try it next time ;)
I use Muji’s peelable ones for makeup removal, one thin layer at a time. I find since the separated sheet is so thin, I use less makeup remover to saturate it, which means less friction when removing makeup and less product usage! I feel it’s worth the price if it can save me my remover which is more expensive per bottle. And yes to the lotion mask (although I haven’t done it in ages).
Hmm that does make sense, Firn. I didn’t think of using it separately to remove makeup. I reckon I could use it to remove makeup AND tone at one go! ;)
I have tried a few:
Muji (the regular version): very soft and absorbs quite a lot of liquid. It will not disintegrate.
PanMate: soft and pretty good.
Shiseido: soft but feels a bit firm. I find I have to pour out quite a lot and is not as pliable. So you end up not utilising it to the fullest!
Premier: not very good. feels hard and rough on the face.
Watsons (the one in the box): so rough! I wouldn’t think its appropriate for the face.
Looking forward to try the Guardian ones!
Ooh thanks for sharing your thoughts on the popular cotton pads out there! I knew I could count on all of you to educate me hehe… I will agree with you about Premier and Watson’s. I’ve seen some other Watson’s ones that look more luxurious but have had no urge to try them because my initial attempts haven’t been impressive. Guardian ones do the job at a small pricetag so I’m happy ;)
I use the round ones from Watson. It’s round, very thin, and lint-free! Comes in a square box. I dont really like the typical square cotton pads coz i find it too thick. I’ll end up using more toner than what I actually need coz alot of the toner gets soaked up in the cotton pad itself.
Btw, i’m just wondering, can all types of toner be used as a mask (when soaked in cotton/the mask sheet)? i’m currently using Clarins toner/lotion (the whitening range) and i’m so tempted to try it as a mask but i’m not sure whether it’s a good idea.
Actually, to answer your question Janice, its no. Not all lotions/toners can be used as a mask. If its a clarifying toner its definitely a no-no. Some can burn the skin if left too long on. The only ones that I can safely say can be used as a mask are hydrating toners or those that specifically say they can be used as a mask. Many Japanese brand lotions can be used as a quick mask but many Western brands don’t operate on the same concept. I’m not certain about the Clarins one but as a precaution, I wouldn’t.
HAHAHAA. This is a funny question but as funny and as weird as it is. i DO have a favourite cotton pads that i love and would normally go for it unless they are out of stock. It is the Premier Cotton Pads.
Ah see, I knew we all did one way or another ;)
my current favorite is non-woven cotton pads from watsons, not like the one you have, but mine is in thin slices and i love them! they are perfect for toners and and makeup remover, and won’t waste a lot of your product. i have been using them for a year and still liking it…i hope they dont discontinue this product. i dislike guardian ones the most because the flyaway cotton tends to make my nose itch!
Ooh I have to go and take a look at the ones you like the. I went in there looking for the big ones you mentioned before but I couldn’t find them. I had the opposite problem with you – Watson’s left lint all over my face and Guardian’s don’t!