Regardless of how many steps your skincare routine consists of, or which products you use, for many Koreans it’s the way the products are applied that matters most. For instance, some people use particular fingers for applying their creams and serums, others slap on their toner, but most of all, people can be very particular about the cotton pads they use to wipe away their makeup.
Cotton pads are a hot topic in South Korea because people take extra care and precautions to ensure they don’t irritate their skin. Without the right cotton pad, micellar waters and toners, which are essential aspects in a Korean 10-step routine, become basically useless.
Why are cotton pads an essential part of a good skincare routine?
Cotton pads are simply the most hygienic method for applying skincare products. “They ensure a clean application and can wipe away residue,” says Ellen Marmur, an associate clinical professor in both the department of dermatology and the department of genetics and genomic research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
Most of the time, your hands can be the best tools you have. New York City based dermatologist, Neil Sadick, points out that cotton pads allow toners and essences to be applied more efficiently. “Bare hands don’t allow the product to be applied evenly or cover the whole face, so using cotton pads can help control product application,” he explained to Allure. Cotton pads are also useful for concentrating on specific areas, such as the under eyes.
However, the wrong cotton pad can irritate sensitive skin and become a counterproductive part of your skin-care routine. Marmur and Sadick agree that pads with a rough texture or those made from a material that has been bleached or treated with other chemicals can be too harsh on skin and trigger allergic reactions.
An easy way to prevent your skin from reacting negatively to a cotton pad is to make sure the pad is soaked with product, Marmur says. Sure, you could be wasting product this way, but “it ensures the cotton pad isn’t dry, so it’s less likely to cause irritation,” she adds.
The difference between Aussie and Korean cotton pads?
The rounds you can find in any Coles or Priceline are typically fluffy and absorbent. While they do a perfect job of absorbing product, they can leave lint on your skin. Lint can soak up moisture, leaving your skin feeling dry and coarse. Lint can also clog your pores or attract debris and dirt which can further irritate your skin. I personally don’t enjoy using Aussie cotton pads, they often feel scratchy and fall apart pretty easily.
Cotton pads that Korean beauty brands sell feature a smoother, stronger texture that looks and feels like a spongy face wipe rather than a cotton pad, making them much gentler on our delicate skin. Most of the time, they are made with unbleached and untreated cotton to help minimise irritation. They don’t pill, are super soft and don’t soak up all of the product – in turn, this makes your skin feeling hydrated and soft.
Because the Korean pads are thicker and more heavy duty, they play a much more comprehensive role in your skin care routine. They can be used to dry off your face or even to create a custom sheet mask.
Which cotton pad brands are most popular in Korea?
Without a doubt, the most favoured option is White Rabbit’s Plain Cotton Pads. They are made from 100% organic, unbleached and untreated cotton. This helps give them their beloved softness which is really gentle on the skin. Bonus: These are the size of a tissue, making them super versatile and cover a larger surface area.
The Klairs Toner Mate 2 in 1 Cotton Pad is another top choice because it comes with two different textured pads in one box. The first is made of compressed cotton, which removes any residue on your face before you move forward with your skincare routine. The other has a spongy texture that collects the toner and returns the product back to the face in comparison to a standard Swissper, which absorbs most of the product.
Luckily, Korean cotton pads are pretty simple to find online, and with sites like eBay and Yesstyle, we can readily incorporate these into our routines. Even if you can’t sing, dance or rap, you’ll at least have one thing in common with your fave K-pop stars.
Stay tuned for more Beauty News!
