Toner pads: Why does actress Han So-hee love them and what makes it a hot-again K-beauty essential?

Toner pads – or pre-soaked cotton pads saturated with toner – isn’t exactly a new beauty concept.  But when Gyeongseong Creature actress Han So-hee shared in a social media post that she turns to Skinfood's Carrot Carotene Calming Water pad to soothe her dry skin, they once again became a beauty must-have.

Considered a staple to the K-beauty community, toner pads are affectionately known as gan pyeon ham-ui kkeut pan wang, which means “king of king in terms of convenience”, shared Lee Jungmin, founder of Jung Beauty and the Singapore-based K-beauty website, Ksisters.

And the reason why Koreans love toner and toner pads is because it’s supposedly key in achieving a well-hydrated complexion for that K-glass skin effect, added Lee. Hit up buzzy Korean makeup artist Arang’s Instagram videos to see how using toner pads are an important step in attaining that K-glass skin glow-up.  

Fun fact: In K-beauty, toners have always been used in two different ways: Dak-to and Heup-to, explained Lee. The former is saturating your cotton pad with toner then gently wiping the skin to remove residual dirt and dead skin after cleansing, while the latter involves patting a generous amount to toner into the skin till it’s fully absorbed and is often used in the famous “7 skin method” where one applies seven layers of toner.

IS TONER OR TONER PADS NECESSARY?

While toners per se aren’t a necessity in your skincare routine, it is a good way to hydrate skin if you prefer lightweight skincare as they tend to be watery in texture, said Dr Rachel Ho, aesthetic doctor and medical director of La Clinic.

And if you like to layer different skincare products, incorporating the light textures of toners can be a good way of introducing specific active ingredients without having to change the rest of your skincare routine or switch to thicker, more occlusive products, Dr Ho added.

But if you’re not sure what toner pads to go for, Dr Ho recommended choosing toner pads based on its active ingredients and your skin’s needs.

For instance, hyaluronic acid and panthenol for hydration, vitamin C and ginseng for brightening and hyperpigmentation, BHA and/or AHA for oilier complexions and niacinamide and cica for skin-soothing benefits.

However, for AHAs and BHAs-infused toner pads, Dr Ho recommended following the product’s usage instructions closely because “depending on the concentration and formula of the toner, leaving on the acids for longer or more frequently than recommended may result in dryness, redness and hypersensitivity”.

In addition, when using these acid-infused toner pads, Dr Ho also advised skipping the use of other acid skincare products, like serums and moisturisers, to prevent any skin irritation and excessive exfoliation.

3 WAYS TO USE TONER PADS

1. The Dak-to method

The easiest way: Wiping your skin with the pre-soaked toner pad. This is great, especially if the toner pads have an embossed surface that can help with daily exfoliation.

Though Dr Ho advised to always use these embossed surfaced toner pads gently. Being too heavy-handed can cause micro tears on the skin, which can compromise and weaken the skin’s barrier, resulting in the skin becoming more prone to environmental damages, such as dryness, redness and inflammation.

2. As a skin prep

According to Lee, use your toner pad as per normal as a pre-step for the Heup-to method. This helps prep the skin with light hydration to better absorb all the moisture goodness from the layers of toner application, or even your other skincare products, later.

3. As a sheet mask

Do as Han So-hee does and use the toner pads as a mask for drier areas like the cheeks and forehead.

To maximise its benefits, Lee advised placing the toner pads onto the areas, leave them for at least five minutes – tip: use the time to quickly blow dry your hair. Once the five minutes are up, simply wipe the skin with the toner pads and pat the remaining toner into the skin and finish your skincare routine as per normal.

This toner pad masking can also double up as a protectant for your skin against the heat from your hairdryer, added Lee.

7 TONER PADS TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

1. SkinFood Carrot Carotene Calming Water Pad, S$49.95 (60 pieces)

Enriched with beta-carotene derived from carrot seed oil, its moisturising properties not only hydrate and plump the skin, but also soothes, leaving complexion comforted and soft.

Available at the official Skinfood store on www.lazada.sg

2. TheFaceShop Tea Tree Toner Pads, S$36 (70 pieces)

Its blend of tea tree, triple acids (AHA, BHA and PHA), a LG-patented anti-inflammatory IP-BHA and hyaluronic acid, this helps soothe acne-prone skin while reducing excess sebum production to keep skin blemish-free.

Available at www.thefaceshop.com.sg

3. Medicube Deep Vita C Pad, S$49 (70 pieces)

With its blend of vitamin C derivatives, niacinamide and sea buckthorn extract, it helps reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation to reveal a smoother, more radiant and even toned complexion.

Available at www.medicube.com.sg

4. Jung Beauty Pure Calming Pad with Cica Leaf, S$18 (100 pieces)

The triple-layered pads actually come dry so you can saturate them with your fave toner or essence to customise the perfect toner pad. But more importantly, each sheet contains centella asiatica leaves helping to soothe the skin, reducing redness and inflammation, making it gentle on even the most sensitive of skins.

Available at www.ksisters.sg

5. Mediheal Collagen Ampoule Pad, S$35.30 (100 pieces)

With its blend of collagen, ceramide and milk protein actives, this nourishes and firms the skin while working to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, it’s gentle enough to be used near the eye area to target crow’s feet too.

Available at www.guardian.com.sg and the official Mediheal store on www.shopee.sg

6. Dermatory Retinal Lifting Ampoule Pad, S$39.57 (80 pieces)

Combines retinal with low molecular collagen alongside a low irritant fat soluble peeling active (LHA) to keep skin soft and supple. Plus, the elastic fabric of the pad allows you to provide gentle lifting to troubled areas like the cheeks and even forehead.

Available at the official Dermatory store on www.shopee.sg

7. Torriden Dive In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Multi Pad, S$25.25 (80 pads)

Infused with Torriden’s iconic Dive In Serum and its five different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, these pads give skin an instant moisture boost. Place on dry areas for instant hydration.

Available at www.guardian.com.sg and the official Torriden store on www.shopee.sg