Exfoliation
Exfoliating Pads vs Korean Toner Pads: What's the Difference?
In Korean drugstores, “toner pads” (토너패드) take up whole shelves: jars of soaked cotton pads that promise everything from hydration to smoother skin. At the same time, Western acne pads like Stridex are popular in Korea too. They look almost the same, so it’s easy to assume they do the same thing.
They don’t. I’m a 24-year-old Korean guy, and I use one kind of pad, Stridex Sensitive, but I put my toner on with my hands instead. Here’s the difference, and why I do it that way.
Two Kinds of Pads
| Exfoliating (acne) pads | Korean toner pads | |
|---|---|---|
| Example | Stridex Sensitive (what I use) | Many Korean brands sell them, often as a jar of 60–70 pads |
| Main job | Clear out pores with an acid | Hydrate, soothe, or gently smooth the skin, depending on the product |
| Key ingredient | Salicylic acid (BHA); Stridex Sensitive is 0.5% | Varies: plant extracts, hydrating ingredients, sometimes mild acids |
| How often | A few times a week for most people | Often daily, depending on the product |
| How you use them | Wipe over the skin | Wipe, or leave on a spot for a few minutes like a mini mask |
The takeaway: read the label before you use a pad every day. A hydrating toner pad and an acid pad might sit side by side on the shelf, but they’re not used the same way.
How I Use Stridex
- Night only, about twice a week. On those nights, the pad replaces my toner step.
- Whole face, one pad, after double cleansing.
- Then the rest of my night routine: numbuzin B5 serum and Bring Green soothing cream.
- No niacinamide on pad nights. I keep the acid and my niacinamide serum on separate nights.
- Never right after shaving. I shave in the morning and use the pad at night, so there’s always a gap.
One pad is enough for my whole face. It’s soaked well, so I never need a second one.
The 10-minute myth. At one point I read online that you should leave Stridex on for 10 minutes before applying anything else, so I actually tried it. My skin got really tight. Now I just let it dry for a moment and move straight on to the next step. It has never stung, but waiting that long clearly wasn’t working for my skin.
I use the green Sensitive version (0.5% salicylic acid), not the stronger red Maximum Strength version (2%). If you’re new to acid pads, the lower strength is a safer place to start.
And My Toner? Just My Hands
On the other nights, and every morning, I put my Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner on with my hands: a little in my palm, then patted onto my face right after washing. No cotton pad, no wiping.
There’s nothing wrong with using a cotton pad for toner. Hands are just quicker, and a cotton pad soaks up some of the product before it reaches your face. For a hydrating toner like mine, patting it in works fine.
FAQ
Can I use an acid pad every day? Some people can, but many get dry, red or irritated skin. Start with two or three times a week and only go up if your skin is fine.
Do I still need toner on pad nights? I skip it, because the pad is already a liquid step. Then I go straight to serum and moisturizer.
Do I need to wait 10 minutes after Stridex? The pad’s directions don’t say so. I tried waiting that long once and my skin got very tight, so now I wait only until it’s dry, then continue. If your skin feels fine either way, there’s no need to sit around.
Are Korean toner pads the same as Stridex? Not usually. Many Korean toner pads are made for hydration or soothing, while Stridex is an acne treatment with salicylic acid. Some Korean pads do contain acids, so check the label.
See where the pads fit in my full routine, or how I time them around shaving.
This post is based on my personal experience and is not medical advice. Acid products can irritate skin; if you have a skin condition, please see a dermatologist.
Sources: Stridex Sensitive Pads 0.5% (dermfnd) · Stridex Sensitive Pads product info