Whatever makeup or skincare routine you have, you’re going to need cotton. But even that step opens up so many choices. Do you use cotton rounds or cotton balls? Do you really need to spend extra dollars on dual-sided pads? When is it better to skip cotton altogether, and just use your fingers?

Cotton rounds

Stock up on these, ladies, because they’re more versatile than you think. Both facialists and makeup artists say that they’re the best for applying skincare and removing makeup.

“I find that cotton balls absorb too much of the product, don’t dispense as much as the flatter cotton pads, and tend to fall apart,” says beauty expert Sarah Akram.

Makeup artist Elaine Koh says that she loves using cotton rounds in every step of her makeup routine. “I use it with cleansing water to remove dirt or sebum at the start. I usually apply moisturizer after, then pat off extra moisturizer with another cotton round.”  She also folds up pads and uses the sharp tip to wipe off smudges under the eyes and clean up around the lips.

Celebrity facialist Samantha Orly says that you can turn cotton rounds into DIY face masks. “Some sheet masks have a lot of extra serum in the pack. I take a cotton round and soak up the extra liquid, and then press on my eyes or on my hands.”

Double-sided cotton pads

These are more expensive and a bit harder to find than the regular cotton pads. But if you have dry, ageing or acne-prone skin, they’re definitely worth it.

Use the textured side to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, especially if you’re using a cleanser or toner with AHAs, BHAs or Vitamin C. “Those ingredients melt dead skin cells, but the pads can help double the effect and are much gentler than abrasive scrubs,” says facialist Jenna Gray.

Use the smooth side to apply cleansing oils or micellar water, and wipe off the dirt or makeup. To get the best results, soak the pads and gently press against the skin for 30 seconds, before gently wiping off. Never, ever rub a pad against your skin.

If you don’t use heavy makeup or have oily skin, you can skip double-sided cotton pads. Regular cleansing will help remove dirt, and you can use your fingers to tap in serums or toners.

Cotton balls

But you should still have a bag of cotton balls in your beauty drawer. Use them to soak off stubborn glitter nail polish, saturate with essential oils for a DIY diffuser, or creating a home remedy for itchy bug bites. However, they’re pretty ineffective for makeup or skincare. They don’t soak up enough product, and they tend to stick to your skin and leave behind fibers.

Cotton buds

If you only use cotton buds to clean out your ears, you’re missing out. Makeup artists say they’re the best way to clean up eyeshadow fallout, mascara smudges, and smudged lipstick. You can also dip a cotton swab into glitter eyeliner, then apply in the inner corner (to make your eyes look bigger) or line around the entire eye. You can also use it to blend lipstick for a blurred lip. So versatile!

Dermatologist Evita Tan also recommends using cotton pads to apply acne spot treatments or drying lotions. “You avoid transferring bacteria or oil from your hands to a pimple, or contaminating the skincare product by dipping your fingers into it,” she says.

Fingers

Many facialists prefer using clean hands to apply essences, serums or creams. The body heat helps melt thicker products, and you can use tapping motions to press in the product. Just make sure to wash your hands properly, and use a spatula to scoop out creams.  

Makeup artists avoid using fingers on their clients, for hygiene purposes. But for your own personal routine, there’s no harm in using clean hands to pat in your primer or foundation. In fact, it’s better to dot on foundation on your face before blending it out with a sponge or brush.

Just remember to disinfect your hands, to avoid contaminating the product and speeding up product spoilage, and protect your skin from bacteria that can cause acne. Aside from washing your hands with soap and water, keep a small bottle of alcohol on your vanity and makeup kit.