In my previous Beauty Buzz post, I talked about the benefits of starting collagen banking during your 20s to maintain soft and youthful-looking skin as you grow older. This time, I’m bringing everyone’s attention to toner pads!
In recent years, toner pads have been getting much love from consumers around the world and it’s not hard to see why. The trendy skin care product is a mess-free and convenient way to apply toner, leaving skin clear, smooth and balanced. Toner pads come pre-soaked in toner or essence that target different skin concerns, so you can find versions suitable for your skin needs!
Liquid Toner vs Toner Pads: Which is Better?
You might think: “I already have liquid toners. Why should I try toner pads?” While toners in both liquid and pad form perform well in effectively balancing skin’s pH levels, ridding skin of dirt and impurities, and prepping skin for better absorption of products, toner pads go a step further as they also provide gentle exfoliation via the toner pad design or ingredients. The main differences between liquid toners and toner pads boil down to form, application method and skin care goals.
Liquid toners in a bottle container are ideal for people who prefer to apply toner with their palms and directly onto face. Plus, you can easily control the amount of toner product you want to use on your face.
If you prefer applying toner with a cotton ball or round pad, toner pads may be better for you. Toner pads are stored in airtight tub containers, and they’re drenched in toner or watery essence. Most toner pads come in a double-sided pad design, consisting of a smooth side and an embossed side. The smooth side effectively delivers active ingredients to skin, while the embossed side removes makeup residue and dead skin cells for smoother skin. Hydrating or soothing toner pads can also be used as a toner mask pack by simply placing multiple toner pads over your face and leaving them on for about 5-10 minutes. Toner pads usually come with a tweezer for hygienic use.
What to Look for in Toner Pads
The first thing to look for in toner pads is pH level. We already know that toners balance skin’s pH level. The skin’s optimal pH level is 5.5 so you want to look for toner pads that fall within the range of around 5.0-7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral).
Sometimes beauty brands don’t indicate the pH level of products. As an alternative, look at the ingredient list. Toners formulated with chemical exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) fall on the more acidic side, which is why it’s recommended to limit usage to once or twice a week, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Those with oily and acne-prone skin benefit the most from exfoliating toner pads. Just make sure that the toner pads are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, so they are safe for sensitive skin and won’t clog pores. Avoid using toners pads formulated with chemical exfoliants as a toner mask pack, as doing so can lead to over-exfoliation and potentially irritate skin.
Chemical Exfoliants
| AHA | BHA | PHA |
| Glycolic acid | Salicylic acid | Gluconolactone |
| Lactic acid | Willow bark extract | Lactobionic acid |
| Mandelic acid | Betaine salicylate | |
| Malic acid | ||
| Tartaric acid | ||
| Citric acid |
Use Toner Pads According to Your Skin Concern
There are various options available, from moisturizing to brightening to anti-aging toner pads. After cleansing, use toner pads to gently remove dead skin cells, excess sebum and other skin impurities for clean and smooth skin. Check out fellow YesStylist editor Maureen’s blog for a more in-depth explanation on toners and their functions.
Moisturizing
COSRX − One Step Moisture Up Pad
Main ingredients: Alaska glacier water, hyaluronic acid, propolis extract, BHA (betaine salicylate), glycerin, panthenol, allantoin, bergamot fruit oil
Skin type: Suitable for all skin types, especially dry skin
Dealing with dry, dull and rough skin? This toner pad enriched with 84.9% Alaska-sourced glacier water, hyaluronic acid and panthenol fills skin with long-lasting hydration while strengthening the skin barrier. It’s also infused with exfoliating ingredients like BHA and PHA that slough away dead skin cells, control sebum production and smooth uneven skin texture. The double-sided pads drenched in essence replenish moisture in skin, preventing dryness and patchiness.
More Moisturizing Toner Pads Available at YesStyle
Soothing
Anua − Heartleaf 77 Clear Pad
Main ingredients: 77% Houttuynia cordata extract, Anti-Sebum P (pinus palustris leaf extract, evening primrose flower extract, ulmus davidiana root extract, pueraria lobata root extract), gluconolactone, green tea extract, purslane extract, centella asiatica extract, madecassoside
Skin type: Suitable for all skin types including acne-prone and sensitive skin
Drenched with Anua’s Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner, these toner pads instantly soothe redness and irritation. Anti-Sebum P balances skin’s oil and water levels while PHA helps remove skin impurities and dirt in pores. The pads soaked in a watery essence feel lightweight on skin and doesn’t leave any sticky residue.
More Soothing Toner Pads Available at YesStyle
Exfoliating / Pore Tightening / Sebum Control
medicube – Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Main ingredients: Salicylic acid, willow bark extract, lactic acid, betaine salicylate, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, apple fruit extract, orange fruit extract, centella asiatica extract
Skin type: Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
These toner pads formulated with salicylic acid and AHA reduce oiliness and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for brighter and smoother skin. The two-sided pad composed of a smooth and embossed side feels ultra-soft on skin. Use the embossed side to lift away dead skin cells and other pore-clogging impurities, and use the smooth side to evenly distribute the toner essence across the entire face for skin-revitalizing and pore-tightening effects. This product is free of parabens, silicones and sulfates.
More Exfoliating / Pore Tightening / Sebum Control Toner Pads Available at YesStyle
Brightening
numbuzin − No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad
Main ingredients: Niacinamide (50,000ppm), Vitamin C, tocopherol, gluconolactone, tranexamic acid, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, glutathione, salicylic acid, mushroom extract
Skin type: Suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin
Bid adieu to tired and dull-looking skin with these toners pads chock-full of radiance-boosting ingredients such as niacinamide, glutathione and Vitamin C. They’re formulated to even skin tone and fade dark spots. Panthenol and mushroom extract deliver intense moisture and elasticity care. Exfoliating ingredients like AHA and PHA promote a refined finish. Take the toner pad and gently swipe the textured gauze side across the face for exfoliating effects, and the smooth, jelly side and swipe on skin for moisturizing, firming and brightening care. Apply after the cleansing step in your skin care routine.
More Brightening Toner Pads Available at YesStyle
Anti-Aging
Abib − Jericho Rose Collagen Pad Firming Touch
Main ingredients: Anastatica hierochuntica extract (rose of Jericho), collagen extract (10,780ppm), 6-peptide complex, niacinamide, adenosine, ceramide NP, panthenol, hyaluronic acid
Skin type: Suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin
Soothe, firm and hydrate skin with these toners pads formulated with rose of Jericho extract, plant-based collagen and ceramide NP. Gently sweep the toner pad across the entire face to alleviate redness and restore moisture in skin. Made of soft cotton material, the toner pad won’t cause irritation to skin.
More Anti-Aging Toner Pads Available at YesStyle
Need more toner pad recommendations? Check out my Beauty Lab post where I review three Korean toner pads from too cool for school, ROVECTIN and mixsoon, which deliver soothing, pore-tightening and smoothing effects. Guess which one turned out to be my favorite?
