I’ll admit it. I always thought toner was a step I could skip in my skin care routine, but after testing the best toner pads in the market for the past two months, I can’t go a day without using them. As someone with oily, combination skin I produce a lot of sebum which leads to a shiny complexion, or worse, breakouts. A toner can help balance your skin by removing additional oil and dirt—and trust me, even after washing your face there’s probably some leftover residue that you’re not catching. TMI: After using them consistently, I learned that it can also help clean areas like your neck, the crevices on your nostrils, behind your ears, and the top of your forehead where face wash might not reach. It’s a (somewhat pleasant) surprise when the toner pad goes from white to yellow (like I said, TMI!), especially on days where I’ve worn a lot of makeup.
Even if you don’t have oily skin though, toner pads can help target various skin concerns like discoloration, pore size, skin texture, and overall radiance. Purchasing pads instead of just a big bottle has its perks too. “Pads help ensure the right amount of product is used and help minimize possible contamination of the remaining product in a jar,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC.
To find the best toner pads, I spoke with dermatologists and beauty editors for their recommendations and tips, and then tested the most highly rated options myself. After testing, the best overall pick was the Mixsoon Toner Pads, which is a Korean toner pad with dual-sided sheets that can be ripped in two. I found that the gentle exfoliation was great for my combination skin. I used them daily and they helped prep my skin for other skin care products, didn’t dry my face, and gave me a gorgeous glow over time. We also found options that target hyperpigmentation, soothe rosacea, and more.
The best toner pads, at a glance
- Best Overall: Mixsoon Galactomyces Toner Pads, $23
- Best for Brightening: Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad, $20
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Some by Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad,
- Best for Rosacea: Abib Heartleaf Spot Pad, $19
- Best for Hyperpigmentation: Mediheal Madecassoside Cotton Facial Pads, $24
- Best for Exfoliating: Peter Thomas Roth Goodbye Acne Complexion Correction Pads, $41
- Best for Textured Skin: Innisfree Gentle Retinol Salicylic Daily Toner Pads, $28
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Biodance Sea Kelp Gel Toner Pads, $26
- Best for Hydration: Needly Toner Pad, $21
Best Overall: Mixsoon Galactomyces Toner Pads
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- What we love: Dual-textured pads; hydration; improves dull skin; gentle enough for sensitive skin
- What could improve: They’re bulky and could be easier to tear
This was my first introduction to toner pads, and the reason why I love them so much now. As a fan of Korean skin care products, the Mixsoon Bean Essence, a popular Korean serum, was already on my radar for its skin-plumping benefits. Mixsoon’s toner pads are also great for hydrating while exfoliating. Their main ingredient is Galactomyces ferment filtrate (GFF), a multitasking fermented ingredient often found in K-beauty products that’s rich in antioxidants and helps with dullness. The actual material has one side made of Lyocell fabric, which helps remove any leftover makeup, oil, and dirt, and a soft cotton side for more sensitive areas. Basically, one side to gently exfoliate and one side to add moisture back.
What our reviewer says: “I use the textured side around my nose, where I produce the most oil, and then the other side around my eyes, cheeks, and forehead. They’ve never caused any irritation or sensitivity. My face felt completely clean after using them. And even when I was using them daily, my face never felt dry or tight,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. “After months of testing, I’ve noticed that my face looks more radiant and smooth.”
Best for Brightening: Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad
- What we love: Gentle exfoliation; doubles as a sheet mask; incredibly hydrating
- What could improve: Subtle fragrance may not be ideal for sensitive skin
Similar to the Mixsoon toner pads, Numbuzin has double-sided pads that add hydration, boost radiance, and gently exfoliate. They’re made with glutathione, vitamin C, and niacinamide, so they can target hyperpigmentation and dark spots all while improving uneven skin tone and reviving dull skin. If you want even more of a brightening boost, I layer the Numbuzin No.5 Serum, a Korean vitamin C serum, after the toner and I’ve noticed that it has significantly brightened the hyperpigmentation around my mouth, so I can really back up the effectiveness of the brand’s products.
What our reviewers says: Glamour beauty contributor Denise Primbet says these toner pads are a mainstay in her morning skin care routine. “I tend to leave them on as a K-beauty face mask for a good five minutes to let my skin soak up all of the brightening and hydrating benefits. After using them consistently, I noticed a great improvement to my post-acne dark spots, revealing a brighter and healthier-looking complexion,” she says.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Some by Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad
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- What we love: Effectively removes dead skin cells; improves skin texture
- What could improve: If you have very dry skin this might not be for you; takes some time to absorb
When I think of toner, I think of my college days when I used to burn my skin using harsh, alcohol-based astringent ingredients. This is why I was hesitant to use a toner with acids. But after using this Some by Mi toner, I’ve noticed how effective it is at gently exfoliating while not stripping my face. This Korean toner pad is noncomedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores) and has alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), which are great for textured or acne-prone skin. You might be thinking, That’s a lot of acids, but the formula is very gentle thanks to the natural ingredients like willow bark water and tea tree leaf water, which help calm and soothe the face.
What our reviewers say: “Whenever I feel like my face needs a deeper cleanse, I reach for these toner pads. I notice I’m less oily when I keep them on rotation. The scent is subtle and herbal. I never feel like my face is raw or irritated after using, and it helps clear my clogged pores,” says Glamour’s Calle.
Best for Rosacea: Abib Heartleaf Spot Pad
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- What we love: Great for dry, sensitive skin; soothes inflamed or irritated skin
- What could improve: Herbal scent might be strong for some
Abib’s various toner pads came up a lot during my toner pad research, particularly on Reddit. I like this one for dark spots, but if you’re looking for something soothing, the Spot Pad is a great option. If you have inflammation, whether it’s from rosacea or sensitive skin, a toner pad that adds hydration is key. The star ingredients here are heartleaf extract and plant-derived BHA, which work together to soothe, exfoliate, and calm the skin. The brand recommends refrigerating it and leaving the cotton pads for a few minutes on the face for a cooling effect.
What our reviewers say: Glamour beauty contributor Sarah Y. Wu has mild rosacea on her mid-face and recommends these toner pads to help calm redness. “Sometimes my skin gets red and overheated. On those days, I swear by these Abib toner pads, which are loaded with intensely soothing heartleaf extract to cool and calm my skin in minutes. I’m obsessed with how refreshing the formula feels even if I don’t store it in the fridge. Each toner pad features a reverse, more textured side that’s great for gentle exfoliation and keeping my pores clear without irritating my sensitive skin.”
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Mediheal Madecassoside Cotton Facial Pads
- What we love: Skin-soothing ingredients, great value; blemish pads for uneven skin tone
- What could improve: It has an herbal-like scent; the pads are extremely thin so you might need to use your hands to separate them
Mediheal pads are made of gauze fabric (like wound or medical care bandage material) and are packed with brightening, skin-boosting ingredients like niacinamide, centella asiatica, and madecassoside for the dewiest glass skin. The fabric is thin and soft but still effective at tackling dark spots and blemishes. If you’re not a fan of dealing with full sheet masks, put a couple of these pads on just your cheeks and forehead for five to 10 minutes to really treat your skin.
What our reviewers say: “I use these Mediheal toner pads almost daily and sometimes even twice a day because it’s that gentle. My face just doesn’t feel clean without them now. I can tell it does a great job of cleansing the surface of my skin because there’s always some residue caught on the pad. I can tell it helps purify my pores because my makeup is easier to glide on. I’m not saying they shrunk my pores (TBH that’s not possible), but they’re definitely not as noticeable,” says Glamour’s Calle.
Best for Exfoliating: Peter Thomas Roth Goodbye Acne Complexion Correction Pads
- What we love: They remove every last bit of makeup; they manage to shrink pimples overnight
- What could improve: They definitely cause tingling and are a little abrasive, so would not recommend for sensitive skin
If you need a toner pad that really exfoliates your face, this latest launch from Peter Thomas Roth is one that our beauty editors recommend particularly if you deal with breakouts. The combination of salicylic acid and glycolic acid help decongest pores without stripping your barrier.
What our reviewer says: Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary uses these pads on her oily, combination skin. “Whenever my skin is in major need of a deep clean, I always find myself reaching for these pads. Fair warning: They’re not for the weak, and I wouldn’t recommend them if your skin is sensitive or dry, but they’re a nice match to my combination-oily skin and they help suck up extra makeup and dirt that I missed while cleansing. I also love to spot treat pimples with them and every time I use them, I see a huge difference in the size and redness of my blemishes by the next day. They have a strong alcohol-like scent that also has a touch of peach Bellini—something to get used to, but they’re absolutely great for when you need a deep clean. Note: I wouldn’t recommend pairing them with retinol or other AHA/BHAs, as this can cause them to sting.”
Best for Textured Skin: Innisfree Gentle Retinol Salicylic Daily Toner Pads
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- What we love: Even though this has retinol and BHA it’s gentle on sensitive skin types
- What could improve: Might be too strong for extremely sensitive skin types
If you’re looking for a toner pad with retinol, Innisfree recently launched this product that even the most sensitive skin types can use. The salicylic acid also helps with blackheads and impurities for more glowy, radiant skin.
What our reviewer says: “These toner pads left my skin feeling cleaner and more primed for skincare products than washing alone, which is nice for my acne-prone skin. I didn’t notice a dramatic drop in pimples, but my skin didn’t mind the product at all—and it was so satisfying seeing dead skin or dirt wipe away with each pad. While I at first thought the included tweezers were overkill, they actually really helped pick up one pad at a time; it’s surprisingly easy to pick up two or three with your fingers,” says Glamour commerce editor Jake Henry Smith.
Glamour senior analyst Loneeja Talukdar also loved these pads. “I’ve been using these toner pads in the morning right after washing my face, and they’ve been such a nice addition to my routine. I notice my skin looks brighter and more awake almost instantly—they give a subtle glow without feeling like too much. They have a refreshing scent, kind of like a clean citrusy vibe. What I love most is that they’re nonsticky and don’t irritate my sensitive skin at all. Just a quick swipe and I’m good to go. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something gentle but effective to brighten your skin,” she says.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Biodance Sea Kelp Gel Toner Pads
- What we love: Oil-controlling; cooling
- What could improve: The pads are very slippery because of the essence
You might have seen Biodance face masks blow up on TikTok (I’ve tested the overnight mask on a long flight myself and recommend them to everyone). Good news: The brand also makes toner pads that are just as hydrating. The brand’s TikTok-viral sheet mask goes from a white hydrogel to a clear material as it dries, and the toner pads flip this process, starting off as translucent gel pads and fading to white as the coated essence absorbs. You can choose from different formulas to best suit your skin type; the two standouts were the original collagen and the more recent sea kelp version featured here. The latter is great for anyone with acne-prone, oily, combination, or sensitive skin. It’s formulated with sea kelp extract as its primary soothing ingredient and seawater to balance sebum levels, along with other botanical extracts known for calming properties (like neem leaf and holy basil).
What our reviewers say: “I love how refreshing these feel in the morning and the thin pads stick to my skin without slipping off while I get ready. They’re particularly effective for making skin look less red when I have blemishes, or when my face is overheated. With regular use, the formula’s sebum-controlling properties also help my nose pores and blackheads look less congested,” says Wu.
Best for Hydration: Needly Daily Toner Pad
- What we love: Oil-controlling, vegan
- What could improve: Since it’s larger than other pads and soaked it can get a bit messy
Needly offers the largest cotton pad size on this list (3.5 inches to be exact), which is why it’s great to double it as a sheet mask. The cotton pads are also extremely soaked so leaving it on for a few minutes helps make use of all those ingredients when applying. The combination of acids help lift impurities from skin and the centella asiatica extract and tea tree leaf extract gently exfoliate while keeping skin calm.
What our reviewer says: “I tested two of Needly’s toner pads and the Daily Toner Pad was my favorite. It’s great at exfoliating but even more at adding hydration back to my skin. Honestly, sometimes I would forget to add a night cream because this did such a great job at hydrating,” says Glamour’s Calle.
Frequently asked questions
How to use toner pads
After your face has dried down from using your go-to cleansing oil and face wash (if you’re double cleansing), apply toner as the third step in your skin care routine. Don’t forget about areas like your neck, chest, and the back of your ears. Then, wait until your face is dry again before applying an eye cream, moisturizer, and sunscreen. SPF protection is especially important if you use a toner pad that exfoliates. Always read the instructions for helpful tips on technique.
“Some brands recommend using the textured side of the pad first (typically on oilier or congested areas like the nose and forehead), then flipping to the smoother side for the cheeks and more sensitive areas. Always swipe gently and avoid harsh rubbing,” says Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in Mohs micrographic surgery. Take it from me, I would recommend rubbing very lightly to avoid rough burns. I was moving too fast one day and accidentally scraped myself.
How often should you use toner pads?
In general, dermatologists say it’s okay to use them daily, but it all depends on the type of toner pad. “Gentle, hydrating ones with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or centella asiatica can often be used daily, even twice a day—morning and night. But if the pads contain exfoliating acids like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid, it’s best to limit use to two to three times a week, especially for sensitive skin, to avoid over-exfoliation,” says Dr. Collins.
During my testing, I used toner pads at least once a day. If it was an exfoliating toner pad I would use it once a week because of the active ingredients. If you use it in the morning, make sure to always follow with sunscreen.
What’s the difference between toner pads, toner in a bottle, and sheet masks?
The main difference between toner pads and regular toner is the latter comes in “liquid form and can be applied to the skin using a cotton round,” says Howard Sobel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sobel Skin in NYC. “A toner pad is a one-time-use product that’s saturated with toner already and can be applied directly to the skin.”
Sheet masks act more like a treatment than a daily step in your skin care routine. “Sheet masks typically deliver more concentrated hydration or active ingredients and are left on the skin longer,” says Dr. Collins. “Think of toner pads as quick, easy refreshers and sheet masks as deeper, occasional skin treatments.”
What ingredients should you look for in toner pads for acne-prone skin?
These are the ingredients to look for if you have acne-prone skin, according to the three dermatologists I spoke to:
- Salicylic acid (BHA): Unclogs pores, reduces breakouts, redness, and inflammation
- Niacinamide: Anti-inflammatory and calms skin
- Zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA): Regulates oil production
- Tea tree oil: Antibacterial and soothing
Bonus: Hyaluronic acid for hydration
What ingredients should you look for in toner pads for hyperpigmentation?
Toner pads can certainly help with hyperpigmentation and brightening. The dermatologists we spoke to recommend looking for ones with vitamin C, niacinamide, licorice root extract, or tranexamic acid. Just keep in mind that they might not have the same potency as a serum.
Are there any key benefits or differences in a Korean toner?
It’s no secret that things like toner pads, rice toners, and sheet masks became popular because of Korean beauty. The formulas will vary, but Korean toners are typically known to be more gentle and “often focus on hydration, skin-barrier support, and pH balancing,” says Dr. Collins. They tend to be packed with soothing botanicals like green tea, centella asiatica, and fermented ingredients. Many Korean toners also have a more essence-like texture—blurring the line between toner and serum—which supports the popular multistep K-beauty routine.”
How we tested
To find the best toner pads, I initially started by scouring the internet, browsing “best of” lists, retailers (Sephora, Ulta, Amazon, and more), viral TikTok videos, and even several Reddit forums. I began drafting my list of potential toner pads and landed on 20 of the most popular ones. I then spoke to experts like Glamour editors, dermatologists, and our network of K-beauty testers. As a shopping editor with seven years of product reporting in beauty, wellness, and lifestyle, I was familiar with toners in general and how they work but dived more into the ingredients, texture, absorption, and value. After expert interviews, I tested all the products myself over a span of two months. I also had our network of testers deliver feedback for specific skin types and concerns. After taking in their testing notes and mine, I finalized my list of the 10 best options. These came out on top because they impressed us with their formula, effectiveness, and ease of use.
Meet the experts
- Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in Mohs micrographic surgery
- Howard Sobel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sobel Skin in NYC
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC
