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Original poster

Cotton rounds wrecking sensitive skin - are there better ones?

29 replies

VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 22/04/2023 20:55

I've naively thought cheap ones would do fine, but lately I've been getting rosacea-like breakouts after cleaning my face after using makeup. I've excluded various products and it seems my superdrug, wilko and boots cotton rounds might be the issue. (I use them with Cetaphil gentle makeup remover.) Can anyone recommend better cotton rounds, preferably unbleached and softer? Many thanks.

OP posts:
Sweetladyjane · 22/04/2023 20:57

Have you tried washable pads? I have some bamboo ones from Amazon that are very soft and wash well (I pop them in a zipped laundry bag).

mintbiscuit · 22/04/2023 21:05

I cannot use anything to rub on my skin, even the softest cotton wool. It makes it red and sore. I can only use cleansing oil with fingers to remove make up. Rinse. Then use cleanser.

TravelDazzle · 22/04/2023 21:17

mintbiscuit · 22/04/2023 21:05

I cannot use anything to rub on my skin, even the softest cotton wool. It makes it red and sore. I can only use cleansing oil with fingers to remove make up. Rinse. Then use cleanser.

I second this. Cleansing oils or balms and then go in with a soap free cleaner afterwards.

QueSyrahSyrah · 22/04/2023 21:21

I also have lovely soft reusable 'cotton' pads (I think they're bamboo). Very soft and gentle on the skin.

Otherwise I use body shop camomile cleanser that goes on to damp skin just with fingers. It's gorgeous and gentle and magic at removing make-up including waterproof mascara, I've recommended it to tons of people with sensitive skin who now use it religiously (I promise I'm not on the Body Shop's payroll but if they'd like to send me some free tins I'd happily accept Grin)

Original poster
VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 22/04/2023 23:49

Thanks everyone, at least I'm not the only one!
I guess I don't really feel "clean" from makeup/grime without rubbing with cotton but I have to rethink this.
I even toyed with the idea of cutting up some old worn pillowcases.
Will def check out that Body Shop cleanser, I've been really impressed with some bits & bobs from there lately. A few years back their stuff didn't work for my super reactive skin at all.

OP posts:
Sunshineandrainbow · 22/04/2023 23:54

Could you wipe off with a wet muslin face cloth,?

Original poster
VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 22/04/2023 23:57

Yes I might have to go that way.

OP posts:
notquitesoyoung · 23/04/2023 01:26

@VanellopeVonSchweetz99 do you use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser? Just a thought but they changed the formula and both DD and I reacted to the new one having used it for 6 years previously. Managed to pick up some old stock so know for certain that's the issue. Is there any chance it's the product and not the cotton pads? It's possible Cetaphil have changed formula in other products too so even if it's a different one of their products it could be the issue.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 23/04/2023 01:27

I use baby flannels made from fleece. Cotton would irritate my skin as too harsh.

Banshee9 · 23/04/2023 01:32

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 23/04/2023 01:27

I use baby flannels made from fleece. Cotton would irritate my skin as too harsh.

I do this too. I found the muslin clothes a bit harsh. Bought a pack of baby flannels from the supermarket and they're so much gentler but still clean my face

Original poster
VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 23/04/2023 03:03

notquitesoyoung yes I did use it once in the past month and found it not very effective, then got the Cethaphil gentle oil free makeup remover which I liked more (again, this might be the trigger but it feels good on the skin iyswim).
But yes it's been trial and error and I'm still not 100% sure the culprit is rubbing with cotton.
My flare-ups have been coming in the morning after a full day of makeup and vigorous cleansing in the evening.
So it could be any of the makeup products and/or cleansing, or a combination, and/or just rubbing/touching my face more.
Or stress (tick) or, oddly, cutting down on alcohol to almost zero in the past month. But surely skin should get better then? Hmm.
I've used La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Soothing Face and Body Balm on the worst areas but I'm not sold on it at all, almost seems to exasperate the redness and irritation.
I'm just rambling now, sorry. Thank your for all the helpful ideas!

OP posts:
FictionalCharacter · 23/04/2023 05:18

I love Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser and the muslins go very soft after a few washes. I find the hot cloth method works much better than cotton pads with any cleanser, cleansing balm or oil and is much less irritating than a dry cotton pad.

readingismycardio · 23/04/2023 05:51

When I had an acne problem post quitting the pill and then another bout after my mmc, I realised cotton pads were making it worse. So instead of cleaning my face with make up remover + cleanser now I just double cleanse properly with the same cleanser and it's worked wonders.

catinboooots · 23/04/2023 07:06

The body shop cleanser mentioned above is so so good

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 23/04/2023 07:15

I've had to pare back my routine to Body Shop cammomile balm or Cerave hydrating cleanser followed by CeraVe pm moisturiser. I also had to knock all SPF on the head as they irritate.

Daffodil77 · 23/04/2023 08:02

I have some clothes which are microfibre one side and a muslin/exfoliating side the other. They aren't harsh at all. I have some from beauty pie which are flannel size and some from cheeky wipes which are smaller.

Recommend using a cleansing balm and massaging it in for a minute to make sure you dissolving everything. This should work fine. I follow the beauty recluse on insta who also have rosacea.

stardust777 · 23/04/2023 08:50

I'm using these Asda cotton face cloths at the moment - they might be worth a go.

PawPrintsInMyPansies · 23/04/2023 08:55

If you’ve got sensitive skin, you really shouldn’t be ‘vigorously’ cleaning your face.

id say the issue is most likely your cleanser or your being ‘vigorous’. Rather than the cotton pads.

I would try changing the cleanser first, then the pads (as a PP has said, Muslim cloths/reusable pads are fantastic). I’d also recommend Face Halo to remove makeup, then a cleanser. And be GENTLE when you remove your makeup.

Twilightstarbright · 23/04/2023 09:09

DHC cleansing pads on Amazon.

Kittypack · 23/04/2023 09:13

Primark micro fibre male up remover cloths are so good. £3.50 for 3

Rainbowshit · 23/04/2023 09:27

Bamboo reusable cotton pads are lovely and soft.

Original poster
VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 23/04/2023 15:30

Thank you so much everyone!

OP posts:
Original poster
VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 23/04/2023 15:46

P.S: Re the body shop camomile cleanser: Is it the 'gentle eye makeup remover' one? Or a butter? Thanks!

OP posts:
Daimyum · 23/04/2023 16:28

I have rosacea and use washable pads with a blob of zerobase on if skin very sore. Otherwie use the cerave hydrating cream cleanser and sa smoothing cream, but no cream around eye area, zerobase here

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