When should you use toner pads? Do you need to rinse them off, use both sides or wait before applying your serum? With My SOS Beauty Toning and Purifying Pads, the steps are simple: after cleansing, gently sweep the lightly textured side over your face, followed by the smooth side, avoiding the eye area. There is no need to rinse: follow with your serum and moisturiser.
Here is how to make this step part of your daily routine, using pressure that feels comfortable for your skin and knowing exactly where it fits among your other products.
One pre-soaked pad, two complementary sides
A toner pad is a pad pre-soaked in a skincare lotion. It is a convenient format, but not all pads have the same formula or instructions. How often you use them and whether you need to rinse therefore depend on the product you choose.
Toning and Purifying Pads have a lightly textured side and a smooth side. The first helps remove impurities, excess sebum and dead skin cells; the second soothes the skin and leaves it feeling comfortable.
The formula includes AHAs, niacinamide and zinc. My SOS Beauty describes it as a skincare product that improves skin texture for a more even complexion and helps keep pores clearer. To explore what this ingredient does, read our article on zinc in skincare.
How to use them, step by step
1. Start with cleansing
Use the pads after cleansing: they do not replace this step. Choose a gentle approach, without excessive rubbing. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser, applying it with your fingertips and patting your skin dry.
2. Sweep the lightly textured side over your skin
Take a toner pad and gently sweep its lightly textured side over your whole face, avoiding the eye area. Use a light touch: the aim is to glide the pad over your skin, not rub it as you would with a scrub.
Visible pores on your nose or chin can make it tempting to go over those areas more firmly. Keep the same gentle motion, without trying to scrape away a blackhead.
3. Turn the pad over
Next, use the smooth side, which is designed to soothe the skin and leave it feeling comfortable. Both sides are part of the same skincare step: start with the textured side, then finish with the smooth side.
4. Continue without rinsing
The lotion is designed to stay on your skin. There is no need to rinse: follow with your usual serum and moisturiser. The instructions do not specify any waiting time between using the pad and applying these products.
These pads are designed to be swept over the skin; the instructions do not say to leave them on like a mask. You can therefore continue with your routine once you have used both sides.
How often should you use them?
Toning and Purifying Pads are intended for daily use, morning and evening. If your skin is sensitive, start with once a day, as stated in the product’s “How to use” section.
You can also adjust the pressure according to how your skin feels. Sensitive skin does not need a firmer touch: keep each sweep gentle and comfortable.
A burning sensation or persistent redness is not a sign that the product is working. Stop using it if irritation occurs; if symptoms persist or are severe, seek medical advice. To better understand skin that has become uncomfortable, read our guide to the skin barrier and blemishes.
Where do they fit in your routine?
The order is easy to remember: cleanser, leave-on toner pad, serum, moisturiser. During the day, remember sun protection too, as recommended on the product page for this gentle exfoliating treatment. Our guide to the order of skincare application can help you organise the other steps.
Before adding the pads, look at the products already in your routine. A scrub, an acid-based toner and an exfoliating serum can put additional stress on your skin rather than complement your skincare in a useful way.
The American Academy of Dermatology notes that exfoliation can worsen dryness or irritation when you use certain products, including retinol or benzoyl peroxide. It also advises against exfoliating skin with an open wound or sunburn. These are general exfoliation recommendations, separate from the instructions specific to these pads.
Storage and keeping the container clean
The product page does not specify storage conditions or how long the pads can be used after opening. Check the packaging for this information, including the open-jar symbol if it appears: this indicates how long the product can be used after opening.
For everyday hygiene, handle the pads with clean hands and close the container after taking one out. Do not put a used pad back inside or add water or another lotion to re-soak dried-out pads. This helps preserve the product as it was formulated.
FAQ: practical questions answered
Do you need to rinse after using toner pads?
No, Toning and Purifying Pads are designed to be used without rinsing. Follow with your usual serum and moisturiser.
Can you use them morning and evening?
Yes, that is the intended frequency for this product. If your skin is sensitive, start with once a day and adjust the pressure according to how your skin feels.
Do you need to apply sun protection afterwards?
Yes, during the day, remember sun protection, as stated in the product FAQ for this gentle exfoliating treatment.
Do they help with pores and blemishes?
They are designed for blemish-prone skin. The formula helps remove excess sebum and impurities and improve the appearance of pores. This means making pores look less noticeable, not making them disappear.
Sources
- The My SOS Beauty product page for Toning and Purifying Pads, linked above: directions for use and stated benefits.
- American Academy of Dermatology — Face washing 101: gentle cleansing.
- American Academy of Dermatology — How to safely exfoliate at home: general exfoliation advice.
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