Toner pads are easier to choose if you first decide what step you’ll use them for, rather than going by ‘popularity ranking.’ If you want to lightly smooth your skin after cleansing, look for a type with an essence that isn’t overly sticky and a soft pad. If dryness is a concern, consider a type with moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin or panthenol. If you’re concerned about oiliness or rough texture, check for relatively gentle exfoliating ingredients such as PHA or LHA, but it’s generally best to start by seeing how your skin responds once or twice a week rather than using them every day.

Pad thickness and the amount of essence are also quietly important. If you plan to wipe with it, check whether it’s thin and has smooth edges; if you plan to use it as a spot mask, see whether it adheres well to your face. If you’re sensitive to fragrance or exfoliating ingredients, check the full ingredient list and directions for use, and it’s a good idea to test it on a small area at first. Rather than rubbing several times every day, I recommend lightly sweeping it over the skin’s surface or applying it briefly and then removing it.

It might have been easier to choose if ‘purpose of use’ had also been one of the poll options. Which do you use more often: wiping toner or spot masks?