7 Best Korean Toners & Toner Pads in 2026 — Tested & Reviewed
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Last updated: March 2026 | Written by the COLORCITY skincare team
If there’s one product category where Korean skincare truly dominates, it’s toners. While Western toners are often harsh, astringent afterthoughts, Korean toners are the foundation of the entire routine — hydrating, soothing, and prepping your skin to absorb everything that follows.
And then there’s the toner pad revolution. Pre-soaked cotton pads drenched in toner + gentle exfoliating acids have become one of K-beauty’s biggest trends. They tone, exfoliate, and hydrate in a single swipe — perfect for busy mornings or lazy nights.
We tested dozens of toners and pads to bring you the 7 best options you can buy in Australia right now.
Quick Picks — Our Top 7
- Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner — Best overall toner ($22.95)
- Anua Birch 70 Moisture Boosting Toner — Best for hydration ($21.95)
- Anua Heartleaf 77 Clear Pad — Best toner pad overall ($32.99)
- Abib Heartleaf Spot Pad Calming Touch — Best for sensitive skin ($22.95)
- Biodance Collagen Gel Toner Pads — Best anti-ageing pad ($27.95)
- Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Toner — Best brightening toner ($15.95)
- Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner — Best for pores & blackheads ($23.95)
Liquid Toners
1. Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner — Best Overall
Price: $22.95 AUD | Size: 250ml | Skin type: All types, especially sensitive & acne-prone
Why It’s #1
There’s a reason this toner has sold millions of bottles worldwide. The Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner contains 77% Houttuynia Cordata (heartleaf) extract — a powerhouse anti-inflammatory ingredient that calms redness, soothes irritation, and helps control excess sebum. The texture is watery and lightweight, absorbing into skin in seconds with zero stickiness.
Key Ingredients
- 77% Heartleaf Extract — Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, reduces redness
- Panthenol (Vitamin B5) — Strengthens moisture barrier and calms irritation
- Hyaluronic Acid — Lightweight hydration that plumps skin
The Verdict
If you can only buy one toner, make it this one. It works for literally every skin type, calms irritation fast, and layers beautifully under any serum or cream. The 250ml bottle lasts 3–4 months of daily use — incredible value.
Shop Anua Heartleaf Toner — $25.99
2. Anua Birch 70 Moisture Boosting Toner — Best for Hydration
Price: $21.95 AUD | Size: 250ml | Skin type: Dry, dehydrated, normal
Why We Love It
While the Heartleaf toner focuses on calming, the Birch toner is all about deep hydration. Formulated with 70% Japanese White Birch Sap, it floods your skin with minerals, amino acids, and moisture. Birch sap has been used in Northern European and Asian traditional medicine for centuries — it’s naturally rich in electrolytes that help your skin retain water.
Key Ingredients
- 70% Birch Sap — Mineral-rich hydration, maintains skin pH balance
- Betaine — Natural humectant that attracts and holds moisture
- Allantoin — Soothes and promotes skin healing
The Verdict
If your main concern is dryness or dehydration, this is your toner. It’s like giving your skin a tall glass of water. Layer it 2–3 times for an extra moisture boost (the K-beauty “7-skin method”). Pairs beautifully with the Anua Birch 70 Cream for a complete hydration routine.
Shop Anua Birch Toner — $15.95
3. Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner — Best for Brightening
Price: $15.95 AUD | Size: 150ml | Skin type: Dull skin, uneven tone, all types
Why We Love It
A cult classic in the K-beauty world. The Acwell Licorice Toner is formulated at pH 5.5 — the ideal acidity level for healthy skin. It contains licorice root extract, one of the most effective natural brightening ingredients, which gently evens out skin tone without the irritation that comes with harsher brightening agents.
Key Ingredients
- Licorice Root Extract — Natural brightening, reduces hyperpigmentation
- Peony Extract — Antioxidant-rich, supports radiant complexion
- pH 5.5 Formula — Matches skin’s natural acid mantle
The Verdict
The best entry-level brightening toner. It’s gentle enough for daily use, works as a light second cleanse, and gradually evens out your skin tone. At $15.95, it’s also the most affordable toner on this list.
Shop Acwell Licorice Toner — $19.99
4. Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner — Best for Pores & Blackheads
Price: $23.95 AUD | Size: 150ml | Skin type: Oily, congested, blackhead-prone
Why We Love It
BHA (salicylic acid) is the gold standard for unclogging pores — it’s oil-soluble, meaning it can penetrate into pores and dissolve the sebum and dead skin cells that cause blackheads and breakouts. Anua’s version uses 2% BHA at a gentle pH, making it effective without the harshness of Western BHA products.
Key Ingredients
- 2% BHA (Salicylic Acid) — Dissolves pore-clogging debris, reduces blackheads
- Heartleaf Extract — Calms any potential irritation from the BHA
- Willow Bark Extract — Natural source of salicin, supports gentle exfoliation
The Verdict
If blackheads and enlarged pores are your main concern, this is your weapon. Use it 2–3 times per week in the evening (not every day, as BHA is an active). Your pores will look visibly smaller within 2–3 weeks.
Toner Pads
Toner pads have become one of K-beauty’s biggest innovations. They’re pre-soaked cotton or gauze pads drenched in toner + gentle exfoliating ingredients. One swipe replaces your toner step and provides light physical/chemical exfoliation. They’re perfect for:
- Busy mornings when you want to skip the toner-on-hands step
- Travel — no liquid bottles to worry about
- Adding gentle daily exfoliation without a separate product
5. Anua Heartleaf 77 Clear Pad — Best Toner Pad Overall
Price: $32.99 AUD | Size: 70 pads | Skin type: All types, especially oily & acne-prone
Why We Love It
The pad version of Anua’s bestselling Heartleaf toner, with an added exfoliating twist. Each pad has a textured side for gentle physical exfoliation and a smooth side for toning and hydrating. They’re soaked in the same heartleaf formula with added AHA/BHA/PHA for chemical exfoliation.
Key Ingredients
- 77% Heartleaf Extract — Calms and soothes while exfoliating
- AHA + BHA + PHA Complex — Triple acid exfoliation that’s still gentle enough for daily use
- Witch Hazel — Tightens pores and controls oil
The Verdict
The most versatile toner pad on the market. It exfoliates, tones, and soothes in one step. Use the textured side first, then flip to the smooth side to pat in the essence. Your skin feels instantly smoother and cleaner.
Shop Anua Heartleaf Pad — $30.99
6. Abib Heartleaf Spot Pad Calming Touch — Best for Sensitive Skin
Price: $22.95 AUD | Size: 80 pads | Skin type: Sensitive, reactive, irritated
Why We Love It
While most toner pads include exfoliating acids, the Abib Heartleaf Spot Pad takes a gentler approach. It’s focused on calming and hydrating rather than exfoliating, making it ideal for sensitive skin types who want the convenience of a pad without any risk of irritation. The pads are thick, generously soaked, and incredibly soothing.
Key Ingredients
- Heartleaf Extract — Anti-inflammatory, reduces redness on contact
- Centella Asiatica — Promotes healing, strengthens barrier
- Panthenol — Deep soothing and moisture retention
The Verdict
The gentlest toner pad we’ve tested. If your skin reacts to everything, start here. The 80-pad count also makes it the best value per pad on this list. Keep them in the fridge for an extra cooling, soothing effect.
Shop Abib Heartleaf Pad — $15.95
7. Biodance Collagen Gel Toner Pads — Best Anti-Ageing Pad
Price: $27.95 AUD | Size: 60 pads | Skin type: Ageing, dry, dull
Why We Love It
Biodance made waves with their viral collagen mask, and these toner pads carry the same DNA. Each pad is saturated with a collagen-infused gel essence that feels luxuriously hydrating. Unlike thinner toner pads, these have a jelly-like texture that delivers a noticeable plumping effect — your skin looks firmer and more dewy immediately after use.
Key Ingredients
- Collagen Complex — Improves skin elasticity and plumpness
- Hyaluronic Acid — Multi-weight hydration for lasting moisture
- Niacinamide — Brightens and evens skin tone
The Verdict
The most luxurious toner pad experience. These feel like a mini sheet mask treatment every morning. If you’re concerned about fine lines, loss of firmness, or dullness, these pads deliver visible results. Also available in Sea Kelp and Cera-nol variants.
Shop Biodance Collagen Pads — $30.99
Comparison Table
| Product | Type | Best For | Key Ingredient | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner | Liquid | All-rounder | 77% Heartleaf | $22.95 |
| Anua Birch 70 Toner | Liquid | Hydration | 70% Birch Sap | $21.95 |
| Acwell Licorice Toner | Liquid | Brightening | Licorice Root | $15.95 |
| Anua BHA 2% Toner | Liquid | Pores & blackheads | 2% BHA | $22.95 |
| Anua Heartleaf 77 Pad | Pad | Daily exfoliation | Heartleaf + AHA/BHA | $35.99 |
| Abib Heartleaf Pad | Pad | Sensitive skin | Heartleaf + Centella | $21.95 |
| Biodance Collagen Pad | Pad | Anti-ageing | Collagen + HA | $35.99 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Liquid toner or toner pad — which should I use?
Liquid toners are better if you want to layer multiple times for extra hydration, or if you prefer applying with your hands. Toner pads are better for convenience, light exfoliation, and when you want toning + exfoliating in one step. Many people use both — pads in the morning for speed, liquid toner at night for layering.
Can I use a toner pad every day?
Calming pads like the Abib Heartleaf Pad are safe for daily use. Exfoliating pads with acids (like the Anua Heartleaf 77 Clear Pad) can also be used daily for most skin types, but if you have sensitive skin, start with every other day and see how your skin responds.
Do I still need a toner if I use a toner pad?
No — toner pads replace the toner step in your routine. You don’t need both. However, some people like to follow an exfoliating pad with a hydrating toner for extra moisture.
What’s the “7-skin method”?
A K-beauty technique where you apply 3–7 thin layers of a hydrating toner, patting each layer in before the next. It’s especially effective for dehydrated skin. The Anua Birch 70 Toner is ideal for this method due to its lightweight, watery texture.
Final Thoughts
The right toner can transform your entire skincare routine. It’s the step that makes every product after it work better. Whether you choose a classic liquid toner or jump on the toner pad trend, the options on this list are all tried, tested, and loved by the K-beauty community.
Our top pick for beginners: Start with the Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner — it works for every skin type and you’ll understand immediately why Korean toners are different.
For pad lovers: The Anua Heartleaf 77 Clear Pad is the most popular for a reason — exfoliation + soothing in one swipe.
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