Dermatologist issues grim warning to anybody using reusable make-up remover pads

As millions more girlies continue to move into their 'self-care' era, one doctor has issued a vital warning about the use of an increasingly popular skincare product.

Despite heaping praise onto reusable make-up wipes for their environmentally-friendly stance, dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner says they should only be used under the right circumstances.

In fact, he says that refusing to care for your reusable pads properly could have a stomach-wrenching impact on your skin.

Reusable make up pads have soared in popularity in recent years (Natalie Maro/Getty)

The advantages of reusable make-up remover pads

For those unfamiliar with the much-loved cosmetic products, reusable make-up removing pads have sky-rocketed in popularity in recent years.

With more and more highly-influential content creators seemingly attempting to incorporate environmental ethics into their social media output, their followers are naturally jumping onto the same bandwagon.

As well as being budget-friendly - being that you only have to buy them once - the organic ingredients used to make each pad contribute to a greener planet.

The majority of these high-street pads are made using a double layer of organic cotton sharpa, which can seem perfect for sensitive skin.

And the fact that many of these items do not contain chemicals and bleach is another huge selling point.

By this point, you're probably wondering what could possibly be wrong with these perfect products?

The reusable pads are often seen as an environmentally-friendly, cost-efficient alternative to single-use wipes (Meaghan Skinner Photography/Getty)

Are reusable make-up remover pads bad for your skin?

According to skincare expert Dr. Joshua Zeichner - who spoke to Well And Good this week - one risk of using reusable pads should absolutely not be overlooked.

"Reusable facial cotton rounds are a great way to help sustain the earth, but you must make sure to clean them properly," he said.

"As you use them, they become soiled—in some cases heavily soiled—with oil, dirt, and makeup.

"Look at them like mini towels, and treat them as you would treat any towel or wash cloth. Use them only once, and wash them along with your other linens."

How to clean reusable make-up remover pads

When it comes to advice on how he says is best to ensure squeaky clean cotton pads, he recommends sticking to fragrance free detergent, using a tiny amount every time you wash.

"Make sure not to overload your washer with detergent," the skincare pro added.

Reusable pads can have their downsides (andresr/Getty)

"As overdosing can cause detergent to get trapped within the fibres of your fabrics can cause direct irritation of the skin."

The main takeaway he emphasises, however, is that these products should be washed after each and every use - not every day, as some people remove their make-up in the morning and the evening.