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The best toner pads may be popping up all over our TikTok FYPs, but our editors have been using these trendy treatments in their skin-care routines for years. Originally a staple of Korean skin-care (the source of many of our favorite beauty trends), these toning pads have become popular stateside in recent years for their versatile use—many people use them as spot treatments or all-over sheet masks—and potent yet soothing formulations, which tend to suit a wide range of skin types. Below, we’re dishing more on our favorite toning pads, plus board-certified dermatologists’ input on these time-saving, conveniently packaged products and how they can address your skin concerns.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pads, $24
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Some by Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad, $17
- Best for Mature Skin: SkinMedica Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads, $60
- Best for Dull Skin: Mixsoon Galactomyces Pad, $26
- Best for Combination Skin: Dr. Loretta Micro Peel Peptide Pads, $65
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Biodance Cera-nol Gel Toner Pads, $26
- Best for Dark Spots: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, $20
- Best for Dry Skin: Arcona Triad Pads, $40
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a toner?
- How are toner pads different from traditional toners?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pads
Why we love it: Rather than douse your face in intensive active ingredients, the Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pads target acne with madecassoside, a soothing derivative of Centella asiatica (also known as cica) extract, alongside the latter for double the anti-inflammatory benefits. Each saturated gauze minimizes the swelling and redness associated with pimples without over-stripping or irritating skin.
Tester feedback: “I’ve been dealing with a few pimples (okay, and a bit of post-popping inflammation—I never said I was perfect!) on my face, and Mediheal’s Madecassoside Blemish Pads has tremendously improved the look of them,” says commerce writer Jennifer Hussein. “I like to swipe one pad across all of my problem areas (as of right now, they’re my forehead and chin) to give my little zits a dose of calming, redness-reducing cica extract.”
Key ingredients: madecassoside, Centella asiatica extract, glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Some by Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad
Why we love it: The Some by Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pads have taken over TikTok with their intensive oil- and acne-minimizing formulation, making them a great pick for those with acne-prone and/or oily skin. As its name suggests, each daily toner pad is saturated in a max-strength cocktail of exfoliating ingredients to minimize an uneven skin texture, including betaine salicylate (a compound composed of hydrating betaine and salicylic acid), BHA-rich willow bark extract, and sebum-reducing tea tree oil. To neutralize any exfoliating-related irritation, its formula also contains calming cica extract.
Tester feedback: “I treat these toner pads like a first aid kit for my skin,” says commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann. “Whenever I'm inconsistent about skin care, the first place the neglect starts to show is around my nose and chin, where I'm prone to clogged pores. Whenever I notice this kind of congestion, a day or two of using these exfoliating pads clears that right up. My skin is pretty sensitive, so I appreciate how these toner pads are perfectly dosed with the right amount of product, so I don't need to stress about over-exfoliating. The first time I used these after a week of not-so-great skin, I woke up the next day and genuinely thought, ’Well, that made my skin perfect.'"
Key ingredients: willow bark extract, tea tree oil, betaine salicylate, Centella asiatica extract | Fragrance-free: no (peppermint oil)
Best for Mature Skin: SkinMedica Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads
Why we love it: Adult acne, fine lines, and discoloration—SkinMedica’s Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads can address them all, thanks to its 10% glycolic acid-based formula. These pads also contain the brand’s proprietary LTN complex, an antioxidant-based combination of lotus sprout extract, tranexamic acid, and niacinamide, to provide intensive tone-evening and brightening. SkinMedica also swaps astringent alcohol for witch hazel extract, which has antibacterial and exfoliating benefits for smoother, softer, and bouncier skin. Arash Akhavan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, says he’s a fan of this intensive formulation as well. “These pads are for anyone looking for active ingredients to help even skin tone,” he says. “These are powerful toner pads that exfoliate and target dark spots to promote a more even complexion.”
Tester feedback: “I'm so prone to hyperpigmentation that I get a dark spot if I even think about a zit (or so it feels), so following a gnarly breakout, I usually come in hot with these exfoliating pads,” says contributing editor Deanna Pai. “They're not what I'd call gentle, but that's what I like: The combo of glycolic acid and witch hazel basically resurface my skin, leaving it brighter and baby-soft.”
Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lotus sprout extract, tranexamic acid, niacinamide, witch hazel extract | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dull Skin: Mixsoon Galactomyces Toner Pad
Why we love it: While not as well known as other skin-brightening ingredients, galacytomyces ferment filtrate is a derivative of sake fermentation that’s rich in dullness-defying antioxidants, making it an ideal add-in to your skin-care routine if you’re trying to revamp a lackluster, uneven skin tone—and, for extra brightening measure, niacinamide also makes an appearance. Each swipe of Mixsoon’s Galactomyces Toner Pads also treats your skin with a dose of soothing, skin-calming allantoin to keep irritation, redness, and overall sensitivity at bay.
Tester feedback: “I like tearing these in half—it's baked into the design, how thoughtful!—so I can tackle both halves of my face at the same time. First, I use the embossed side for gentle, surface-level exfoliation before going in one more with the smoother cotton side to lock in hydration," commerce editor Sarah Han says. "Mixsoon is quickly becoming my favorite K-beauty brand for soothing, no-BS skin care.”
Key ingredients: galacytomyces ferment filtrate, niacinamide, allantoin | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Combination Skin: Dr. Loretta Micro Peel Peptide Pads
Why we love it: Dr. Loretta’s Micro Peel Peptide Pads are the tiny but mighty additions you need to tackle multiple concerns at once. Their concentrated formula addresses fine lines, wrinkles, dead skin cell buildup (bye-bye, adult acne), and dark spots with 10% glycolic acid while peptide- and antioxidant-rich algae and mate leaf extracts boost skin elasticity for a firmer, more youthful appearance. While these intensive ingredients get to work, lactobacillus ferment, a probiotic, soothes skin to offset any sensitivity.
Tester feedback: “I love how these peel pads gently exfoliate with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids while the peptides infused in each pad help keep my skin smooth and plump,” says shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis. “Each pad leaves my skin feeling refreshed without any irritation and looks instantly brighter and more radiant—like I just had a mini facial at home.”
Key ingredients: glycolic acid, algae extract, mate leaf extract, lactobacillus ferment | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Biodance Cera-nol Gel Toner Pads
Why we love it: Sensitive skin types need a moisture-packed formula for sweet, soothing relief, like Biodance’s Cera-nol Gel Toner Pads. This formula combines 10 weights of hydrating hyaluronic acid and five ceramides to provide moisture and hydration at different surface levels of your skin. It also contains glacial water and panthenol, an antioxidant that coddles irritated skin while providing much-needed hydration.
Tester feedback: “These are so so so so soothing—some of the most cooling, most drenched toner pads I've ever put on my face," says Han. “One casual swipe of this makes my skin look 10 times dewier, not even joking. Because they're so potent, I make sure to bring all of the hydrating, plumping goodness down to my neck.”
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, panthenol | Fragrance-free: yes
More toner pads we love:
Best for Dark Spots: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
Why we love it: Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, says she loves the gentle exfoliation provided by First Aid Beauty’s Facial Radiance Pads. “They're alcohol-free and use mild amounts of lactic acid and glycolic acid to decrease surface oil and improve tone and texture,” she says. Its low-dose blend of alpha hydroxy acids can be used daily (as long as you don’t have sensitive skin) to minimize the look of stubborn dark spots and post-acne hyperpigmentation.
Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, aloe, cucumber water, lemon peel | Fragrance-free: no
Best for Dry Skin: Arcona Triad Pads
Why we love it: Arcona Triad Pads are perfect for anyone in need of a hydration boost, says Dr. Akhavan. “These pads are infused with cranberry extract, witch hazel, and rice milk, making them ideal for gently cleansing, toning, and hydrating the skin in one step,” he says. This formula also contains fatty acids, which are essential for keeping skin supple, smooth, and conditioned.
Key ingredients: cranberry extract, witch hazel, rice milk, fatty acids | Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a toner?
A toner’s main purpose is to “rebalance the skin after cleansing, remove any leftover impurities, and prep the skin for serums and moisturizers,” explains Dr. Akhavan. Considering that everyone’s skin type, concerns, and sensitivities vary, toners are not a “one size fits all” product, which is why it’s important to keep an eye on the ingredients label to see if a formula is right for you. “Depending on each person’s needs we recommend toners that either further cleanse the skin with exfoliating ingredients, or soothe and hydrate the skin with anti-inflammatory ingredients,” says Dr. Akhavan. Plus, most toners are water-based “and can enhance penetration of ingredients that follow it in your skin-care regimen," adds Dr. Nazarian.
How are toner pads different from traditional toners?
Toner pads were created simply for their ease of use. ”Because of the need for additional steps with the application of traditional toners on pads and cotton swabs, skin-care companies created pre-saturated toner pads,” says Dr. Nazarian “They are already soaked in the ingredients, and can be used directly out of the contains to wipe on the skin.” Also worth noting: Many toner pads feature textured pads to gently buff and exfoliate the skin, leading to more noticeable results in terms of skin texture, according to Dr. Akhavan.
Meet the experts:
- Arash Akhavan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City
- Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best toner pads, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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