Reusable Makeup Pads vs Disposable Cotton Rounds: Does the Switch Actually Work?

Disposable cotton rounds are used once — remove makeup, apply toner, pat dry — and thrown away. A single person with an active skincare routine can go through two or three a day. That is 700–1,000 pads per year, per person.

Reusable cotton pads like LastRound do the same job with the same products and the same technique. The difference is a wash cycle instead of a bin.

Do They Actually Remove Makeup Properly?

Yes, with a small adjustment. Disposable cotton pads work partly through absorption — the micellar water or remover soaks into the cotton, which then lifts makeup as you wipe. Reusable pads, depending on their material, work slightly differently: the textured side of LastRound loosens and lifts makeup, while the product does the dissolving work.

The technique that works best: saturate the pad with your remover, hold it against the skin for a few seconds before wiping. This is actually closer to the recommended technique for most micellar waters — you are not wiping harder, you are letting the product do more of the work. Most people adapt within a few days.

For heavy or waterproof makeup, a second pass is sometimes needed. This is also true with disposable pads for the same products, so it is not a regression in performance.

The Two Sides of LastRound

LastRound pads have two distinct sides: a smooth side for applying product and a textured side for removing it. The textured side adds a mild mechanical action that disposable cotton pads do not have — it helps lift product without requiring harder pressure. For toner application or serum patting, the smooth side is the right choice.

Washing and Care

LastRound pads go in the laundry with your regular wash — placed in the mesh bag provided. Wash at 30°C. They come out clean and ready to use again. Most people find a set of 7 (one set per day, washed weekly with the laundry) works well as a routine.

There is no special treatment required. The same cycle that cleans cotton clothing cleans the pads. Hang to dry or tumble dry on low.

Hygiene

A common concern: is a used pad sitting in a case hygienic? The LastRound case has two compartments — clean on one side, used on the other. Used pads go into the sealed used compartment, not back in with the clean ones. They are washed before re-use. This is the same logic as reusable towels or face cloths, which have been standard hygiene practice for centuries.

The Cost Comparison

Disposable cotton rounds: roughly £1.50–£3 per 100 pads. At 2 per day, that is around £10–£20 per year, indefinitely.

LastRound: around £15 once. It replaces approximately 1,750 single-use cotton pads. Over a two-year period, the reusable option is cheaper. Over five years, significantly so.

What Does Not Change

Your skincare products. Your technique. The order of your routine. You use the same micellar water, toner, or serum on the same areas in the same way. The only change is which pad you reach for — and where it goes when you are done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use reusable pads with all skincare products?

Yes. Micellar water, toner, liquid exfoliants, makeup remover, serum — all work with LastRound pads. The material is inert and compatible with standard skincare formulations.

Do reusable pads leave fibres on the skin?

Less than most disposable cotton pads. Disposable cotton rounds shed fibres as the cotton breaks down during use. LastRound pads, made from Tencel and plant-based materials, are lower-lint. After multiple washes, they are consistently lint-free.

How many pads do you need?

A set of 7 works well for a weekly laundry routine — one per day. If you use multiple pads per day (morning and evening routine), two sets may be more practical.

How do you wash reusable makeup pads?

Place them in the provided mesh bag and add to a regular 30°C wash. No special detergent required. Avoid fabric softener, which can coat the fibres and reduce effectiveness over time.

Do they work with waterproof mascara?

Yes, though waterproof formulas may require a second pass or a dedicated remover. This is the same for disposable pads — waterproof mascara is designed to resist removal and requires a suitable product regardless of the pad used.