Streamlined and K-Beauty don’t tend to be used in the same sentence, given the latter is famous for a 10-step skincare routine. You know, the sort of regime that’s only possible if you lounge on the sofa until gone midnight.
Nevertheless, the rise of the toner pad promises to shortcut the extensive skincare practice, imbuing oodles of active ingredients into one, gently exfoliating cotton disc with multiple uses. Rather than operating as chemical peels like many Western toner pads, Koreans are using product-soaked cotton rounds for everything from targeted treatment by using them as miniature, area-specific sheet masks, too.
The fact is, K-Beauty has always been – literally, in this case – 10 steps ahead of the game in the beauty world. Where multi-step routines continue to reign supreme among those with serious skin concerns and plenty of downtime, K-Beauty has also provided a solution for those who don’t.
We spoke with Alethea Demetriou, Lead Product Specialist at PURESEOUL, for further insight into the rise of toner pads.
What are toner pads?
“Toner pads are pre-soaked cotton pads that combine toner and application in one step. Popular in Korea, they’re often used both as a wipe-on toner and as quick DIY sheet masks, known as a "toner packs,” explains Demetriou.
“They come in different forms depending on skin needs, some are thin and hydrating, like Torriden’s DIVE-IN Hyaluronic Acid Multi-Pad for daily moisture care, while others, like Sungboon Editor’s Green Tomato Peeling Pad, gently exfoliate with a textured surface. The format is all about convenience, with pad designs evolving to suit everything from soothing to pore care.”
How often can toner pads be used?
“Just like traditional toners, it depends entirely on the formula”, the expert says. “Pads with active ingredients, like retinoids, AHAs or BHAs, shouldn’t be used daily.”
“These work best when used a few times a week to avoid irritating the skin barrier. On the other hand, gentle formulas that focus on hydration or calming, like Torriden’s DIVE-IN or BALANCEFUL pads, are safe for daily use. The texture of the pad itself can also be a clue, embossed or dual-sided pads are often designed for mild exfoliation, so it’s worth adjusting frequency based on both the formula and feel.”
Can toner pads be used with other skincare, like retinoids?
“Yes, toner pads can absolutely be paired with retinoids, as long as the pad doesn’t already contain other actives like AHAs or BHAs.
In this case, it’s all about choosing the right pad. Hydrating or soothing options are best to layer with retinol-based products. For example, using something like the Torriden BALANCEFUL Cica Toner Pad before retinoids gives your skin a calming base without risking irritation.
It’s a matter of balance, and a well-formulated toner pad can actually support your skin while you use stronger treatments,” Demetriou reveals.
Are toner pads more effective than traditional toner?
“Functionally, the difference is minimal. The formula matters more than the format. But from a practical standpoint, toner pads streamline the process. They eliminate the need for separate cotton pads, ensure consistent application, and allow for more targeted use, you can press them onto areas of concern like a mini sheet mask. So while they’re not more potent than bottled toner, they’re definitely more versatile,” explains Demetriou, identifying some of the key factors that have made toner pads so popular: ease and versatility.
What’s the difference between toner and essence?
Demetriou is on hand to clear up the confusion: “It’s mostly about texture and how the product is positioned. Toners tend to be lighter, water-like, and used right after cleansing to reset pH and prep the skin. Essences usually have a slightly thicker consistency and are marketed as the ‘treatment’ step to boost hydration or address concerns. That said, there’s a lot of crossover. Some toners act like essences and vice versa, it really comes down to the specific formula and how you want to use it.”
Why are toner pads becoming so popular in K-Beauty?
“Korean skincare is renowned for its innovation and multitasking products, and toner pads perfectly embody this, as they allow for exfoliation, hydration, or soothing all in one quick gesture, which suits multi-step routines.
Plus, they provide a relaxing self-care moment, letting you leave the pad on your skin without the hassle of a full sheet mask. The constant innovation from Korean brands, like XL or dual-textured pads and formulas targeting different skin concerns, keeps this category fresh and appealing. This plays a big part in why toner pads are so loved in K-Beauty and why their popularity has continued to grow globally,” Demetriou aptly puts it.
Scroll for a curated selection of the best toner pads on the market to streamline your skincare routine below.
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Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0
Pore Pads 2.0. Designed for soothing yet powerful exfoliation, they’re infused with 4.5 per cent AHA lactic acid and 0.45 per cent BHA salicylic acid.
Simply swipe over your face in gentle, upward motions after cleansing, then follow with your regular serums and moisturisers for a pore-free complexion in no time.
Buy now £24.00, Boots
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads with Glycolic and Lactic Acids
Infused with glycolic and lactic acids for gentle exfoliation, which protects the skin barrier, these toner pads by First Aid Beauty are suitable for daily use.
They’re brilliant for prepping the skin before applying makeup in the AM or PM, as they’re filled to the brim with aforementioned alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) to help smooth and refine your skin’s surface to banish any bumpy textures.
If using them in the morning, always follow up with moisturiser and SPF.
Buy now £32.00, Lookfantastic
Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Toner Pads 160ml
Anua is a growing, wildly popular K-Beauty brand which has recently hit Western shelves at Boots. Described as an “all-in-one” product, the brand’s Heartleaf 77% toner pad is quickly becoming cult for a reason.
The double-sided cotton round features a textured side for additional exfoliation and is infused with a potent PHA, while the smooth side is infused with anti-inflammatory heartleaf and madecassoside for a gentler touch. It’s formulated to help soothe acne and tighten pores at the same time, as well as keep excess sebum in check. Heartleaf is a key, new ingredient in K-Beauty and the flowering plant is prized for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Buy now £22.00, Boots
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner Pads
If you’re even remotely interested in skincare, you’ll have come across this little grey bottle from Paula’s Choice.
The 2% BHA exfoliating treatment is prized for preventing breakouts, blackheads, enlarged pores and dull skin – and it’s now available in brilliant little pre-soaked cotton pads.
One box includes 10 individually packaged pads, so they’re ideal for travel.
Buy now £16.00, Paula’s Choice
Torriden BALANCEFUL Cica Toner Pad 180ml
Cica is worth trying if you have sensitive, redness-prone skin. Also known as Centella Asiatica, the plant-based skincare saviour is beloved for its soothing and healing properties. Perfect for wiping away a hard day’s work and prepping the skin for restoration.
The pot even comes with a pair of little plastic tweezers to keep the product-soaked pads as hygienic as possible.
Buy now £21.00, PURESEOUL
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads
With a powerful blend of lactic acid, tri-enzyme technology and a probiotic ferment complex, these resurfacing pads do exactly what it says on the tin: resurface, reduce the appearance of discolouration and irregularities while diminishing the appearance of dark spots.
Buy now £37.14, Amazon
Biodance Collagen Gel Toner Pads
One of the more unusual toner pads on the market thanks to their jelly-like consistency, Biodance’s Collagen Toner Pads are often used on the go as miniature sheet masks for a targeted collagen boost in problem areas.
Formulated with 10 per cent collagen water that is absorbed by the skin faster than traditional extract, these pads are marvellously refreshing and leave skin looking irresistibly bouncy, dewy and full of life.
Buy now £27.09, Amazon
COSRX One Step Original Clear Pad
You may have heard of CORSX’ viral Snail Mucin extract, but have you come across their viral toner pads?
They control sebum with just a few swipes, leaving pores looking less clogged and skin looking fresher than ever. They’re hypoallergenic too and have a lower pH than most acid-fuelled toning pads – combining 1 per cent BHA for gentle exfoliation with 85.9 per cent White Willow Bark for ultimate soothing power.
Use after cleansing, throughout the day or as a cleansing pad before a makeup touch-up.
Buy now £19.86, Amazon
MEDIHEAL Teatree Trouble Facial Toner Pads
Part of TikTok’s growing K-Beauty community? If so, you’ll have likely spotted the kaleidoscopic range of toner pads by MEDIHEAL.
Though the soothing and exfoliating options are certainly worthy, the best on the market (in our humble opinion) are the tea tree and lactobacillus toner pads, which come in a bright green square container.
They’re designed to cleanse and soothe sans irritation, helping to remove impurities and reduce the appearance of unruly blemishes.
Plus, the lactobacillus helps to boost the skin microbiome.
Buy now £24.80, Amazon
