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The best Korean toner pads are a mainstay in Korean skin-care routines because, as Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam based in New York City, explains, “they have always been treated as a hydrating prep step—like the bridge between cleansing and the rest of your routine.”
Forget the harsh, astringent wipes you may associate with Western toners—Korean toner pads are much gentler and feel more like a quick, soothing facial step. “They’re designed to calm, prep, and give you that immediate skin refresh,” says Cho. You can swipe one on after cleansing, or place a few pads on your cheeks and forehead for five minutes as a mini-mask moment.
Our Top Korean Toner Pads
- Best Overall: Biodance Collagen Gel Toner Pads, $26
- Best for Dry Skin: Hanyul Artemisia Soothing Toner Pads, $26
- Best for Oily Skin: Medicube Zero Pore Pad, $31
- Best for Active Breakouts: Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad, $24
- Best for Dullness: Some by Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad, $18
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Anua PDRN 100 Hyaluronic Acid Glow Pad, $22
- Best for Combination Skin: Torriden Dive In 5D Hyaluronic Acid Toner Pads, $26
Compared to liquid toners, pads also make the whole step faster and more convenient: no cotton rounds to hunt down, no spills, and way more control over where the product goes. Many are double-sided, with a lightly textured side for gentle exfoliation and a smooth side for hydration—so you’re toning, lightly exfoliating, and refreshing skin in one pass. They’re also inherently more portable, which explains why they’re a favorite for gym bags, travel, and busy mornings.
Many formulas highlight K-beauty staples like Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica) to soothe redness, mugwort (artemisia) to calm reactive skin, or collagen to boost bounce and hydration. While they don’t replace targeted serums or moisturizers, they can combine toning, light exfoliation, and hydration into one easy step—one of those low-effort, glass-skin tricks that delivers real glow, fast.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What makes Korean toner pads different from Western toner pads?
- What ingredients are common in Korean toner pads?
- Do Korean toner pads replace multiple steps?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Biodance Collagen Gel Toner Pads
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Biodance
Collagen Gel Toner Pads
Amazon
Soko Glam
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Biodance Cera-nol Gel Toner Pads
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: If you haven’t had a chance to try Biodance’s viral overnight collagen masks yet, these toner pads offer a preview of the glow they’re known for. In Korea, toner pads are often used as mini mask treatments. “If you’re short on time or too tired for an overnight mask, this is the perfect morning rescue,” says Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. She points to the innovative gel fabric and low-molecular-weight collagen, which is broken down into smaller fragments to hydrate more effectively, feel lighter on the skin, and help create a plumper, smoother look with minimal irritation. Hyaluronic acid helps flood skin with hydration, while galactomyces (a byproduct of yeast fermentation originally discover in sake breweing) smooths texture for a clearer, more even look. While they work well for all skin types, “they’re especially popular for skin that feels dry, dull, or less bouncy,” says Cho.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“These are so so so so soothing—some of the most cooling, most drenched toner pads I've ever put on my face. 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.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, collagen, galactomyces
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Number of pads: 60
Best for Dry Skin: Hanyul Artemisia Soothing Toner Pads
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Hanyul
Artemisia Soothing Toner Pads
Amazon
Soko Glam
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Hanyul Artemisia Soothing Toner Pads
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: Hanyul’s Artemisia Soothing Toner Pads are the kind you should “reach for when your skin is feeling reactive or easily irritated,” says Cho. Each pad is soaked in a calming essence built around the brand’s proprietary Artemisia-Cica blend—a K-beauty-favorite pairing of artemisia (mugwort) and Centella asiatica. “Artemisia is a traditional ingredient in Korean skin care, and has a calming quality that makes your skin feel hydrated and soothed,” she says. Centella asiatica brings relief by helping calm inflammation and support the skin barrier, which is especially important when skin feels sensitized or stressed.
Artemisia leaf water further enhances comfort, while panthenol (vitamin B5) supports the skin barrier, and hyaluronic acid delivers lightweight hydration. The formula also includes Lactobacillus ferment, a fermented ingredient commonly used in Korean skin care to improve absorption, so it helps your toner work more effectively.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“My already-dry skin has been a serious drama queen lately thanks to my tretinoin prescription—think peeling and redness. These pads have a subtle grip to them, so they don’t slip and slide around your face, and they’re saturated without being so drenched that you can’t actually hold onto them (a small but important detail). After swiping one on, my skin felt noticeably softer and comforted—less tight and nicely hydrating for the dry patches on my cheeks.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Artemisia-Cica (artemisia leaf extract and Centella asiatica), panthenol, hyaluronic acid, artemisia water, Lactobacillus ferment
- Fragrance-free: no
- Number of pads: 60
Best for Oily Skin: Medicube Zero Pore Pad
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Medicube
Zero Pore Pad
Amazon
Yesstyle
Ulta Beauty
Allure associate social media manager Katie Gunderman applying the Medicube Zero Pore Pads
Katie Gunderman
Why it's worth it: If you have oily skin, you already know there’s a big difference between a healthy glow and greasy-looking shine. When skin starts feeling slick or congested, Medicube’s Zero Pore Pads help restore balance. These toner pads are soaked in a clarifying blend that gently exfoliates dead skin cells, clears excess sebum, and helps keep pores from appearing clogged. Salicylic acid works inside pores to break up oil and buildup, while lactic acid smooths uneven texture caused by lingering congestion. Centella asiatica, panthenol, and allantoin help keep skin calm and comfortable, so you get clarity without a stripped or tight feeling.
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
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“The Medicube Zero Pore Toner Pads are always the first step. They refresh my face and prep it for the rest of my skincare or makeup routine. They always leave my skin feeling clean and hydrated and I love how easy they are to pop on.” —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: lactic acid, salicylic acid, Centella asiatica, panthenol, allantoin
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Number of pads: 70
Best for Active Breakouts: Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad
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Mediheal
Madecassoside Blemish Pad
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Soko Glam
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad
Sarah Felbin
Why it's worth it: Sometimes you can feel a blemish coming and head it off with the right products. Other times, it’s already angrily announced itself—and that’s when Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pads help shorten its unwanted stay. “These are great for acne-prone skin, especially if you’re dealing with active breakouts or post-breakout redness,” says Cho. Each pad is soaked in a calming, barrier-first formula built around cica, “one of the most iconic calming ingredients in K-beauty,” Cho notes; she also likes that the pads are easy to use, not harsh, and help skin look clearer and more balanced over time. You’ll find whole-plant Centella asiatica extract to help calm visible redness, plus leaf and root extracts that deliver antioxidant and barrier-supporting benefits. Madecassoside, a key compound derived from cica, helps reduce irritation as breakouts heal. Niacinamide adds a brightening boost that helps fade lingering post-breakout marks, leaving skin clearer and skin tone more even.
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“I have very sensitive, oily skin that can break out if I look at it wrong. Add to that the dozens of new beauty products I'm testing each week, and I'm almost always dealing with some stubborn blackheads, whiteheads, or both. When I first notice signs of a breakout, I always make sure to grab these pads. The pad's material is very thin and soft (not scratchy like some other pads I've tried, which can irritate my skin even more). There's a lot of product in each box of pads, so they're always fully saturated, even weeks after I've bought them. And I love that each box comes with a pair of clear plastic tweezers hidden underneath the lid, so I can quickly and easily grab a pad without having to stick my fingers inside. The pads apply a thin layer of a clear, watery product that dries quickly and layers easily under the rest of my skin care and makeup. And after a few uses, my skin looks calmer and clearer. These have been a medicine cabinet must-have for me since I first tried them. Madecassoside is the real deal!” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, glycerin, Centella asiatica
- Fragrance-free: rosemary and mango scent; no synthetic fragrance
- Number of pads: 100
Best for Dullness: Some by Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad
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Some by Mi
AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Soko Glam
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the Some by Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it's worth it: Some By Mi comes from the phrase “something by a miracle,” and with the way their formulas revive dull skin, we can believe it. Unlike some other exfoliating toner pads, their AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pads are designed for daily use, thanks to their low-dose blend of acids that gently smooth and brighten without overwhelming skin. Citric acid (AHA) gently lifts away dull, dead skin cells on the surface, while willow bark water—naturally rich in salicin, which the skin can convert into salicylic acid–like compounds—helps keep pores clear without the irritation of traditional BHAs. PHA (lactobionic acid) adds an extra layer of mild exfoliation while helping skin retain moisture. Calming staples like Centella asiatica, madecassoside, artemisia, and tea tree help prevent irritation while these pads help shed dull, dead cells for a clearer look.
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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“I treat these toner pads like a first aid kit for my skin. 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.'" —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: citric acid, betaine salicylate, lactobionic acid, Centella asiatica, madecassoside
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Number of pads: 70
Best for Sensitive Skin: Anua PDRN 100 Hyaluronic Acid Glow Pad
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Anua
PDRN 100 Hyaluronic Acid Glow Pad
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Olive Young
Lee applying the Anua PDRN 100 Hyaluronic Acid Glow Pad
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: It’s about time more toner pads started incorporating PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), an ingredient long prized in skin-repair treatments. Traditionally derived from salmon DNA and known for supporting tissue regeneration and cell renewal, Anua PDRN 100 Hyaluronic Acid Glow Pads use a plant-based form that’s especially gentle for sensitive skin. The oversized pads make it easy to cover most of your face, turning a quick step into a barrier-repairing, mini-mask moment. While PDRN supports skin recovery, these pads also feature multiple forms of hyaluronic acid to provide hydration and cushion the skin. Calming botanicals like aloe, turmeric, and holy basil round things out, keeping skin comfortable and soothed.
Tester feedback from Lee
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“Okay, fair warning: These pads are ultra drenched—like, dripping with essence. When I tried swiping one across my face, the pad kept rolling up on itself, so I pivoted and started using them as mini sheet masks instead (pressing them onto my cheeks and forehead for a few minutes). The PDRN and hyaluronic acid combo delivers crazy hydration, and my skin looked extremely glassy afterward. I’ve been peeling from a prescription cream for my melasma, and these have been such a helpful counterbalance—plumping things back up and taking the edge off that tight, flaky feeling.” —Lee, contirbuting commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: plant-based PDRN, hyaluronic acid, aloe, turmeric, holy basil
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Number of pads: 60
Best for Combination Skin: Torriden Dive In 5D Hyaluronic Acid Toner Pads
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Torriden
Dive In 5D Hyaluronic Acid Toner Pads
Amazon
Sephora
Han using the Torriden Dive In 5D Hyaluronic Acid Toner Pads
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: Combination skin typically means oilier, congestion-prone areas (usually the T-zone) paired with drier or tighter patches elsewhere—and those needs can shift by the day. But having combo skin doesn’t mean you need different products for different parts of your face. Torriden’s Dive In 5D Hyaluronic Acid Toner Pads meet your skin where it is. The “5D hyaluronic acid” refers to a blend of five forms of hyaluronic acid with varying molecular sizes, allowing hydration to reach multiple layers of the skin rather than sitting on the surface. Dry areas feel cushioned without overwhelming oilier zones. For balance, gluconolactone (a gentle PHA) and willow bark extract lightly exfoliate to keep pores clear, while witch hazel and tea tree help manage shine. Barrier-supporting ceramides, beta-glucan, and humectants round things out, leaving skin hydrated, clear, and balanced all over.
Tester feedback from Han
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“I don't use cleanser in the mornings (a quick rinse is as far as I go!) but sometimes my skin could use a refresher, which is where these Torriden pads come in. As their name suggests—and just like the Dive In serum and cream I love so much—these toner pads are intensely hydrating, thanks to five types of hyaluronic acid, and they sweep away any debris that might've accumulated during the night. (Did I mention they're so nicely cooling, too? These + my morning coffee = the ideal one-two wake-up punch.) One nice advantage these pads have over others I've tried is their shape: While many toner pads are straight-up circles, Torriden's has a curved edge that rest sperfectly underneath my eyes for when I want to leave my toner pads on for five minutes as a sheet mask stand-in. My skin always looks glowier and brighter, no matter how dead I feel inside. (I've long accepted I'm not a morning person.)” —Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 5 types of hyaluronic acid, PHA, witch hazel, tea tree, ceramides, beta-glucan
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Number of pads: 80
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Korean toner pads different from Western toner pads?
Korean skin-care routines in general tend to be much more treatment-focused than their Western counterparts. “Korean toner pads are more like essence-soaked pads, while Western toner pads are often astringent-based,” says Marie Jhin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Carlos, California. Instead of relying on strong acids or alcohol for oil control, Korean formulas prioritize hydration, soothing, and gentle brightening. “Think of Korean toner pads as a nourishing bridge between cleansing and treatment,” Dr. Jhin adds, “not just an exfoliating step.” That’s why they’re often designed to be left on as mini masks—supporting the skin barrier while delivering active ingredients, rather than stripping skin in the name of clarity.
What ingredients are common in Korean toner pads?
Korean toner pads are known for their skin-friendly, barrier-first ingredient lists. “You’ll often see calming and barrier-supporting ingredients like galactomyces, bifida ferment, and cica,” says Dr. Jhin, along with nourishing staples such as propolis, snail mucin, and botanicals like heartleaf, mugwort, and rice. To round things out, many formulas include multitaskers like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for hydration and brightening, plus gentler exfoliants—think PHA or low-dose AHA/BHA blends, so skin gets the benefits of exfoliation without the irritation.
Do Korean toner pads replace multiple steps?
While Korean toner pads don’t completely replace targeted serums, ampoules, or moisturizers, they do help streamline your routine, especially if you’re juggling multiple skin concerns. “They combine toning, light exfoliation, and essence into one step,” says Dr. Jhin, which can reduce a longer, multi-step routine into just a few essentials. Think of them as a smart shortcut: they prep skin, deliver active ingredients, and create a smoother base so the rest of your skin care works better—leaving skin looking more balanced, refreshed, and dewy without skipping the steps that really matter.
Meet the experts
- Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam based in New York City
- Marie Jhin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of Premier Dermatology, adjunct clinical instructor at Stanford University, and author of Asian Beauty Secrets and K-Beauty Secrets based in San Carlos, California
- Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best korean toner pads, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, cosmetic chemists, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out 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.
