For years now, Korea has set the pace for skincare trends, and the latest wave is no exception. Glass skin serums once ruled the conversation — and they are still popular — but the newest things to know about include microneedling formulas made with spicules, and toner pads. If you have not tried the second one yet, this guide is for you.
Toner pads are more versatile than they first look. Yes, you can give your face a quick swipe with one, but you can also leave a pad in place like a mini mask — and you can use different pads on different areas, say the t-zone, the cheeks, and dark spots, in a multi-masking approach. So whether you already use toner every day or you have never bothered with one, this little innovation could be exactly what your skin has been missing. We asked dermatologists and skincare experts for everything you need to know about toner pads, from the different ways to use them to how to choose the best one for your skin.
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Key Takeaways
- Toner pads have their roots in Korean skincare, and they are more popular than ever in the West — they simplify your routine by letting you swipe on a precise dose of targeted ingredients.
- One pad can be swiped all over your face, used as a spot treatment, or joined by several others and applied like a mask.
Meet the Experts
Debbie Palmer, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, co-founder of Dermatology Associates of New York, and the author of three books, including her latest release, Mindful Beauty. Teresa Song, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City. Jordan Harper, NP, is a board-certified nurse practitioner and the founder and CEO of skincare brand Barefaced.
What Are Toner Pads?
Teresa Song explains that toner pads are pre-soaked cotton pads infused with toner or essence — basically a more convenient way to apply toner. They usually come as cotton rounds or squares, packed neatly into a little jar. That jar can be a little misleading, though: one jar often holds 50 or more pads.
Jordan Harper describes them as single-use pads that deliver a precise dose of active ingredients, so that each swipe gives you serum-level benefits without adding extra steps to your routine. Her own brand, Barefaced, offers three sets of pads, and all three are bestsellers.
Types of Toner Pads
Toner pads come in a range of formulas, and they are definitely not one-size-fits-all. Toners — and toner pads with them — have come a long way from the stripping formulas of the past, and today they can help gently exfoliate and hydrate at the same time.
Song says each type is designed to target a specific skin concern. Some are exfoliating, made with AHA or BHA; others are hydrating, with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Then there are calming versions for sensitive skin, brightening ones with vitamin C, and pH-balancing options too.
The pads themselves can vary as well, not just the formula they are soaked in. Take the Summer Fridays Gentle Reset Daily Exfoliating Pads: one side is smooth, for gentle sloughing, while the other side is textured, for physical exfoliation.
Choosing Your Formula
With so many options on the shelf, how do you pick the best toner pad for your skin? Start with what your skin needs most:
- If your skin is aging, acne-prone, uneven, or dull, look for exfoliating pads made with acids, such as Medicube’s Zero Pore Pad. You might also try one with retinoids, such as the Innisfree Daily Gentle Retinol Salicylic Toner Pads.
- If your skin is drier or more reactive, go for calming and hydrating formulas, such as the Torriden Balanceful Toner Pad, and look for ingredients such as cica, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides.
- If your skin is combination, try a multi-masking approach tailored to each area: salicylic acid on the forehead, vitamin C for evening out discoloration, and a hydrating formula on the cheeks.
Many formulas combine exfoliating and calming ingredients in one pad. We love the hydrating and decongesting properties of the Glow Recipe Dew It Yourself Toner Pads Masking Kit, which pairs 3% PHA and 2% BHA with watermelon extract, cactus water, and glycerin — it works as a do-it-yourself masking kit. And if you want a higher dose of acids, the Barefaced Toning Pads II are the ones to reach for.
Ways to Use Toner Pads
A pad can be swiped over your entire face, or used in a more mask-like way — the choice is yours. Either way, Song recommends using one after cleansing, and being careful to avoid the eye area. Some people use toner pads to gently exfoliate, or to prep the skin for the rest of their routine. There is no need to rinse afterward; just follow with moisturizer.
Harper has one more tip: swipe any leftover product onto the backs of your hands, so nothing goes to waste. As for how often to use them, that is individual — some people can use toner pads daily, while others do better using them less often.
They are also great to travel with. You can count out exactly how many pads you need and toss them in your bag, and they are handy after a workout too, when you may not be able to wash your face but still want a quick refresh to remove sweat and dirt.
The Final Takeaway
Toner pads can truly level up your skincare routine — especially if your skin does not feel as smooth or glowy as you would like, or if your foundation or concealer tends to sit unevenly. Just remember to follow with moisturizer and SPF, particularly if your toner pads contain exfoliating ingredients.
When you are choosing a formula, scan the packaging for key words such as exfoliating, hydrating, and calming. And you do not really have to choose just one type: with combination skin especially, you can apply multiple types to the different areas of your face, each with its own needs. Toner pads are so customizable to specific skin concerns that it is no wonder the K-beauty world has embraced them for so long.
