The term "cotton" can refer to two products: raw, minimally processed cotton and a form of cotton that has been processed to be especially absorbent. There are a variety of uses for these materials, and both forms of the product are generally available in stores, especially those that stock medical and cosmetic supplies.
In the first sense, cotton wool is raw cotton that has been combed to remove impurities and then cleaned to sterilize it. Raw cotton strands look a lot like pieces of wool, which explains the name. The texture is generally very silky and smooth, and can sometimes be a little scratchy, depending on how it is processed. A common use for this type of cotton is as a makeup remover, which can be poured over and then wiped over the face.
The most refined cotton wool is made by combing raw cotton, bleaching it, sterilizing it, and then processing it in various ways. One form is the cotton ball, made to resemble classic raw cotton. Refined cotton can also be used to make bandages, medical swabs, and other similar products; Because it is sterilized, it can also be used for wound packing and other surgical tasks. Most medical offices have many examples of this type of cotton.
Many people keep some cotton products around the house, because they can be extremely useful. For example, cotton pads can be used to pad a wound before dressing, if the wound is particularly large, to absorb some of the blood. Cotton balls can also be used with nail polish remover and a variety of other cosmetics. They can also get caught between your toes while you're painting your nails, or soaked in things like milk and applied to your closed eyes to reduce puffiness and puffiness.
For consumers who are concerned about the use of pesticides and herbicides on crops, some companies make organic cotton, which can be bleached through natural processes. These products will generally be more expensive, due to the additional labor involved in growing and harvesting cotton.