This is a sponsored review with affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
Papa Recipe has been on my radar for a while, but I’ve only tried their sheet masks (which are so good that I bought some as Christmas gifts last year). I’m so excited to have a chance to experience more of their non-sheet mask skincare!
Papa Recipe Eggplant Clearing Cleansing Oil Pads promise to remove makeup and other impurities in just 10 seconds, even for waterproof formulas and stage makeup. The 100% cotton pads are saturated in a gentle yet effective solution featuring centella asiatica, houttuynia cordata, and birch sap for a hydrating and soothing cleanse. 1,000 ppm eggplant extract can further help with soothing the skin and improving elasticity. The brand advertises these as suitable for all skin types, but patch testing is always a good idea. The pads are available on Amazon (save extra with the code 10EGGPLANT until March 13th by clicking this link) and Stylevana (code INF10KBH).
The flip top jar contains 60 unbleached cotton pads, and if you look closely you may notice tiny pieces of cotton seeds. These are normal in a natural cotton product and aren’t felt on the skin (at least I don’t feel them at all while using these pads).
How to use:
Start by gently wiping forehead and cheeks
Then, softly press the pad to the areas with heavy makeup, such as eyes and lips
Wipe away without pulling or tugging
Rinse with water
Follow with the rest of your routine
Rinsing with water isn’t strictly necessary but is recommended. Sometimes I also follow with a foaming cleanser (Papa Recipe makes a great one in the eggplant line). The rounds are generously sized, and if the eye makeup is light, one pad might be enough for the whole face. But if I’m wearing dark eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and brow makeup, then I usually use 2-3 pads to get everything off. There’s a mild and very pleasant scent that doesn’t linger.
The pack comes with a pair of small tweezers for hygienic removal of the cotton rounds, but I prefer to use my clean hands. There isn’t really a good spot for them in the jar, so it’s a matter of time before I lose them anyway.
My impressions
I’m an avid fan of double cleansing (starting with an oil or a balm, then moving on to a foaming cleanser), but this method doesn’t work for everyone. Plus, sometimes it’s just nice not to worry about cleansers and water running down your elbows as you hover over the sink, right? And stubborn, waterproof eye makeup often requires more than a cleansing oil to remove. I find Papa Recipe Eggplant Clearing Cleansing Oil pads a super convenient product for various reasons.
First, these are much easier than saturating tiny cotton rounds with makeup remover to take off eye makeup. Second, they travel a little easier than liquid oil cleansers. Third, have you ever tried to fully remove sunscreen off of a small child? Double cleansing is a no go there - kids have no patience. Thankfully, my second grader finally tolerates actual face wash, but she still prefers Papa Recipe pads because they are so quick and easy (please remember to patch test all products before using them on kids, and if in doubt - talk to your pediatrician).
And last but definitely not least, let’s not forget our friends with disabilities and chronic illnesses who may benefit from having access to easy, simple skincare items that can be used while lying down, if needed. I have been educating myself more and more on this topic in the last two years, and I will never take my physical ability to spend 10 minutes standing upright at the sink for granted.
Papa Recipe Eggplant Clearing Cleansing Oil pads are completely different from makeup wipes. Makeup wipes are usually not very effective, require a lot of friction / pulling / tugging, and therefore are rough on the skin. These pads are soft and fully saturated, making them very easy to use. I suppose someone overzealous can still get rough, but I’m very gentle with the entire process and have had no issues. My biggest tip is to let them sit on the eyelids for a bit before attempting to wipe away makeup to give everything a chance to soften and start to dissolve. The process definitely takes me more than 10 seconds, but I am completely ok with that.
Have you tried these? What did you think?
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Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxypropy/sulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Citric Ac
id, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract(11.37ppm), Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol