Mediheal toner pads review: Are the viral K-beauty skincare pads worth trying?

Toner pads have become one of the biggest trends in Korean skincare, and Mediheal is one of the brands leading the charge. Beauty fans regard them as a quick route to fresh, hydrated skin, often using them as five-minute treatment masks rather than simply sweeping them over the face.

Each tub contains 100 generously soaked pads, so even if you regularly use two at a time as a quick five-minute mask, you'll still get around 50 treatments from one box. The tubs also include a pair of tweezers, making it easy to remove individual pads without touching the rest with your fingers.

You can pick them up at Boots where there’s currently 10% off selected K-beauty products, including the Mediheal toner pads, bringing the price down to £19.80. And I spotted them even cheaper (£16.80) on the Stylevana website.

The Watermide Moisture Pads are the standout product for me. Infused with 10 forms of hyaluronic acid alongside barrier-supporting ingredients including squalane, beta-glucan and allantoin, they leave my skin feeling refreshed, comfortable and well moisturised after every use. As others have discovered, I find they work brilliantly as a mini mask, leaving a couple of pads on my cheeks while I get ready in the morning. They cling comfortably to my skin, don't slip around and leave my complexion looking noticeably fresher and more radiant without any sticky residue.

If you’re skin is a little lacklustre, try the Vitamide Brightening Pads. Rather than promising dramatic overnight results, they deliver a gradual boost in radiance over a couple of weeks, leaving my complexion looking brighter and more even. They also create a lovely smooth canvas for makeup, making them an easy addition to my morning routine.

The Collagen Ampoule Pads have become my evening choice. Rather than promising miracle anti-ageing results, they focus on hydration and plumping. Thanks to a blend of collagen, peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, they leave skin feeling soft, nourished and well hydrated by morning, with dehydration lines looking less obvious. My complexion also looks smoother and feels more supple after regular use.

There's also plenty of choice beyond the three I tested, with Mediheal offering dedicated pads for everything from calming breakouts and gentle exfoliation to firming and lifting, depending on what your skin needs most.

The only downside is that the outer packaging on Mediheal products has a fairly budget feel which isn’t ideal, especially if you want to give one a gift. Fortunately the tubs themselves are sturdy and thoughtfully designed so if you are gifting one you may want to ditch the cardboard box!

Mediheal’s Madecassoside Moisture Sun Serum is also worth a look. It feels more like applying a lightweight hydrating serum rather than a traditional sunscreen, absorbing quickly without pilling under makeup or leaving a white cast. It sits comfortably beneath foundation and keeps my skin feeling hydrated throughout the day while providing reliable SPF protection.