(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best cotton pads & rounds

My skin is combination normal/oily. It's always been mostly clear, but textured and I have larger pores. I live in the South, so heat and humidity are my life. I only really got into skincare this year, before this I just washed and used a moisturizer, then maybe some makeup. I had a really rough year, though, and started exploring skincare as selfcare and a sort of hobby. I'm a research scientist (not dermatology), so reading on the ingredients was fun for me.


Dr. Dennis Gross alpha beta pore perfecting gel. I've been using this for about 8 months and I'm nearly done with the bottle (I started with a travel size). I like it fine, haven't had any issues. I don't know that I've seen any fancy results, but I didn't really expect any from a face wash.

Charcoal and Black Sugar Scrub. I've been using this 3-4 times per week for years. I'm not really sure who makes it, I buy the CVS version, but it's carried in several places under different branding (Ulta, Amazon). It's like $4 and I usually buy a couple at a time. I use it in the shower, put it on, let it set while I do something else, then I scrub with it. You can feel a slight warming when you put it on, and the longer you let it set while you're in the shower, the smaller the sugar granules get, so you can customize the scrub. I like physical exfoliation, so this stuff is my jam!

Paula's Choice-SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid I've been using this as my toner for the past year. I like it, but I recently purchased something else to try when I run out.Lint Free Cotton Pads Specifically, these. I felt like I was wasting so much product with cotton or cloth rounds I finally switched to these and then measured it out. I was using 1.5ml with a disposable cotton round, 2ml with a reusable cloth round, and I use 0.5ml with these.

Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen I feel like half of my comments here are shilling for this sunscreen. I love it. I'm not sure what ingredient it is in most sunscreens that stings my face, but I went through probably a dozen brands before finding this (don't worry, everything that didn't work for me was donated to friends!) It doesn't sting, it goes on easy, and it's even moisturizing enough (here in the humid bayou) that I don't need a seperate moisturizer during the day. I loved it so much that I started buying it in the 48oz pump jug! I use it on all exposed skin every day. This stuff is my ride or die, it is my holy grail. If I was only allowed to have one thing for the rest of my life, this would be it. You can give me all the free sunscreen samples you want, but I'd just give them away and keep buying this, that's how much I love it. Also, their customer service is great and they're quick to answer questions if you contact them through facebook!The Ordinary's 5% Alpha Lipolic Acid


The Algenist Yeah, I'm giving this line it's own category because we're in love. I've been slowly trying their products and have fallen head over heels for a lot of them. I'm honestly afraid to review them because I'll sound like I'm being paid, but alas, I am paying them for their products. (Please, Algenist, pay me? Hire me as a tester for all of your things?) A lot of their stuff I've bought in trial/travel size, sometimes in kits.
---Genius Sleeping Collagen This is the product that did it for me. Sephora had a coupon code where you would get 10 packets (1ml each) of this stuff with the claim that you would see results in 10 days. I ordered it, but then when I saw the price (it's $98 for a 60ml jar), I wasn't sure if I should try it! I'm not sure how they concluded that you'd need 1ml per night, because that was about 2.5 applications for me. It sounds crazy, but there was a difference in my skin texture after one use. By day 5, I bought the jar. I've been using it for 6 months now and have about 1/4 of the jar left. I've already repurchased (I was that close to getting Rouge status and wanted the points lol)
---AA Barrier Serum This was the second product of theirs I tried, and it was the thing that made me obsessed with the brand. Sephora (bless them) was offering a 15ml trial of it with purchase, and so I had to go find something to buy so I could get it. Again, I ordered the full size in days. It contains niacinamide and I find it hydrating as well, to the point where it's replaced several of my other serums.
---Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging and Vitamin C serum This was meh for me, but in fairness, I have never been impressed with a vitamin C serum and I've tried a few.
---Genius liquid collagen lip Also meh. I somehow ended up with 2 tubes of it when they were offering a blind grab bag of products on their website. I've been using it every day, but I don't see any results. Maybe I would is I had thin or wrinkled lips? It does feel nice going on, has a mild tingle, but I don't know that I'd purchase it on my own.
---Genius Liquid Collagen This shit is the truth. I had 2 blister pack trials (1ml each) sitting around and finally decided to try them, but I also decided that I wasn't going to like it based on my experience with the lip collagen. The blister packs were good for about 2.5 applications each. The night of my third application, I washed my face and was thinking that my skin was looking awesome and wondered briefly if I'd been doing anything new. I looked over at my shelf and didn't see anything, but then I saw the remnants of the blister pack on the counter and shrieked! I think ordered it from my phone then and there. My skin texture and tone have improved. The hollows beneath my eyes don't seem as sunken. This stuff is liquid gold.
---Power recharging night pressed serum Meh. This didn't do much for me. But I gave the remaining sample to a friend and she loves it. She's older than me and said he did a lot for her fine lines.
---Perfect Clarifying Pore Correcting Mask I love a good mask and this is a good one! I love the way it feels, just barely cooling. You leave it on for 10-ish minutes and then wash it off. I've used it twice so far in place of the "Aztec Secret" clay mask and i prefer it a lot.
---Reveal Color Correcting Eye Serum Brightener I like this. I got a trial size and I've been using it under my eyes every morning. I don't have dark circles, but I do have hollow under eyes (I got restylane in my tear troughs a year ago, and it helped a lot, but it wasn't the perfect fix I'd hoped it would be.) I'll probably buy this when I run out.
---Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Bi-Phase Peel I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. I got this expecting it to be like the alpha lipolic acid I get from The Ordinary, but this one is much, much gentler. You apply, then you're supposed to rinse it off after a couple minutes, sort of like the Pixi peel pads, but this is just very mild. You get a really soft menthol-type cooling, sort of like the person next to you is eating a mint. It's not at all drying, which i like, but I don't know if it's exfoliating enough for me? I'm going to keep using it, but I'm not sold on it yet.

Serums
I've tried A LOT of serums in the past year. I've learned that I'm not crazy about The Ordinary's serums, they're often too thick and pill instead of absorb. I really enjoyed Niod's multi-molecular hyaluronic complex, and I may re-purchase it in the future. Niod talks a big game about their Copper Amino Isolate, but I got absolutely nothing out of it at all. If you're looking for cheap serums, I'd recommend The Inkey List over The Ordinary. I never had any pilling and had decent results with their hyaluronic acid as well as their polyglutamic acid.

I recently purchased reusable face pads and mesh produce bags.

I haven't used the face pads yet because it recommends washing them first (machine wash cold). Some of the reviews claimed that they shrunk after washing but instead of using the dryer I air dried them and had no shrinkage.

I love the mesh bags! It came with reusable tags so you can put the product code for the cashier but I just opened the bag so they could see the produce. Some of the reviews said their produce kept fresh longer, but I recently recieved these and used them only yesterday so I don't know it that's true or not. For wash instructions: machine wash cold, air dry only.

For women: I got these menstrual cups and I feel they work well. If you're new to the cup, it does take practice and getting used it.

Great list!

I just wanted to add, make sure the witch hazel you're getting is alcohol-free. I make bath and body products for a living and have found that most drug store brands of witch hazel are alcohol distillations, which can irritate skin and slow healing time.

*also, soak some round cotton pads like these in the witch hazel and throw them in the fridge. Saved my life after I had my first!

I was thinking something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Swisspers-Cotton-Rounds-100-Count/dp/B009CUYUVY

Are you saying these are too thick? I imagine once you soak them they'd be pretty thin and packable, but then again I haven't tried packing them before.

https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Organic-Cotton-pieces-Unbleached/dp/B01M0994L4 - last night i just found out the culprit that taste like smelly chemical especially for newly installed wick. i thought coils or juices(dragonfruit) but then im able to isolate the issue. i can easily taste it using specific juice dragonfruit and strawberry combo other juices can’t.

anyone tried this fake japanese cotton? please avoid this.

In case you've got a chance, this is the cotton I'm using.

【資生堂】【クレドポー】 クレ・ド・ポー ボーテ ル・コトンn 120枚入 https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B01BWF17G2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UITYBbSG2FHR5

Koh Gen Do fwiw.


Is his the pad you use? I see a couple offerings. I tried some other Muji pads and wasn't impressed. Found kgd better but willing to try another type.

SHISEIDO S Cotton Pads 80 pcs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G4W6N1S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_NmsfzbADTM4X9

Back when I vaped ejuice and made my own coils getting organic cotton pads for wicks was always called out as a safety thing. For making wicks I always used this:

Japanese Organic Cotton Pads 100 pieces 100% Organic Unbleached [Made in Japan] (1 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079QHYX5H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gyw7CbDJVTRQ0

Not sure if the same company makes cotton balls or if those would work. Back in the early days of the vape boom that shit was in such high demand it would cost way more than the $8 it is now lol

This is the cotton I use in my nicotine vape: [Lazur] Japanese Organic Cotton Sheets 90 Pieces 100% Organic Unbleached https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GRR739Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_j0gtDbQXD8SHD

Nothing major. I take cotton pads like these and let them soak up the wax and wipe up any remaining wax out of the reservoir. Lay them out to dry/cool and pack them away for the next camping trip.

linkage They sell these at walmart and target by the cotton balls. They're a little bit thicker but smaller around than stridex pads though.

I have these in my cart on amazon right now. but can’t vouch for them yet. They have a ton of options on there. Not sure about CF remover though, I use the blueberry bounce cleanser from glow recipie and almay eye makeup remover.

Sorry for the late response! I got the 189 sheets of 60x50mm cotton. I have not purchased from Amazon, but they seem to carry the exact variant I got.

Amazon - Not an affiliate link!

I've had issues with makeup removing products breaking me out, so I keep it pretty simple. I should mention that I generally don't wear makeup that's difficult to remove (no waterproof mascara, no eyelash glue, no ultra-budge-proof-tattoo-lacquer eyeliner, etc), and I've been trying to limit single-use waste as much as possible.

First I wipe away most of my makeup with a microfiber cloth and some warm water.

Then I use a reusable cotton round and a little Garnier Micellar Water to remove any leftover makeup. If my mascara is being stubborn, I just gently hold the cotton round over my eye for 30 seconds or so to give it a chance to dissolve.

Finally I use CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser and rinse with a muslin face cloth.

On special occasions when I am wearing more stubborn makeup, I use a little coconut oil in addition to the micellar water.

This applies to nofap, but wrap it in this tape. Then take a pen and write your current number of days on it. You can write anything else on it if you'd like.

It really does make it pretty hard to fail.

PROTIP: get some cotton makeup pads and stick and peel off cotton to cover the adhesive of the tap. Otherwise you'll have a bad time.

I use micellar water also and bought a package of reusable cotton pads from Amazon to cut down on the waste. They come with a little mesh bag and I just throw them in with the rest of my laundry to wash and dry in the bag. https://www.amazon.com/Remover-Reusable-Cleansing-ProCIV-Washable/dp/B07DCJ1SVQ

I hated plowing through cotton pads, so I bought a pack of these

1. You can use compostable bags for picking up the poop.
   
2. There are cotton pads for makeup or you can make your own https://www.amazon.com/Reusable-Remover-Washable-Organic-Cleansing/dp/B07D5XQRFW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2QHY2A9Y9BHGN&keywords=reusable+cotton+pads+face&qid=1555496851&s=gateway&sprefix=reusable+cott%2Caps%2C253&sr=8-3
   
3. I do not use makeup, once an a while I use lipstick I still have plastic ones but on Etsy, you can find Zero Waste makeup for example https://www.etsy.com/es/listing/199724241/black-vegan-zero-waste-cake-mascara?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=makeup+zero+waste&ref=sr_gallery-1-15&organic_search_click=1&pro=1 but you can find a lot of things, and you can see where they will ship it from so you can choose a vendor in your own country, or at least close by.