Balea's Pore Refining Toner Pads are part of the dm brand's Korean skincare inspired line, and they've been popping up in drugstore haul and dupe videos. Each pad is soaked in a toner with 2% AHA (glycolic acid) and 2% rice extract, so it's an exfoliating step, not just a refreshing wipe. That changes how you should use it. Here's how to fit the pads into your routine, how often to reach for them and what to avoid so your skin stays comfortable.
Key takeaways
- The pads contain 2% glycolic acid (an AHA), so treat them as a gentle exfoliant, not a basic toner.
- Use them on clean, dry skin, then follow with serum and moisturizer. No rinsing needed.
- Balea suggests starting once a week and building up toward daily use only if your skin tolerates it.
- Wear SPF 30 or higher during the day and avoid the eye and lip area.
In this guide
What are Balea Pore Refining Toner Pads?
They're pre-soaked cotton pads in a 55-pad jar, made to smooth the look of skin texture and pores. The toner is vegan and fragrance-free. Because the pads are already saturated, you don't need a separate cotton pad or a bottle of toner.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Glycolic acid (2% AHA) | Loosens dead skin cells on the surface so skin looks smoother and more even |
| Rice ferment filtrate (2% rice extract) | A popular K-beauty ingredient used for a brighter, softer-looking finish |
| Gluconolactone (a PHA) | A gentler acid that adds mild exfoliation and holds water in the skin |
| Centella asiatica, panthenol, allantoin | Soothing ingredients that help balance out the acids |
| Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, betaine | Humectants that keep the skin hydrated |
A 2% AHA is a mild strength, but it's still an acid. If you're new to exfoliating acids, our skin cycling guide shows an easy way to space them out so your skin can adjust.
How to use Balea toner pads, step by step
Cleanse and dry your face
Wash with a gentle cleanser and pat your skin dry. Acids can sting more on damp skin, so give it a minute.
Take out one pad with the tweezers
Use the tweezers in the jar instead of your fingers so the rest of the pads stay clean. Close the lid straight away so they don't dry out.
Sweep it over your face and neck
Wipe gently from the center of your face outward. Don't scrub or press hard. Stay away from your eyes, eyelids and lips.
Let it absorb
There's nothing to rinse off. Wait until the toner has soaked in, about 30 to 60 seconds.
Continue your routine
Follow with your serum and a moisturizer. In the morning, finish with sunscreen of at least SPF 30.
Not sure where everything else goes? The pads take the toner step in our skincare routine order guide.
Creator @daisychr featured these pads in a video of drugstore picks. You can see the Balea pads in her routine on SaveAI.
How often should you use them?
Balea's own directions say to start with one use a week and slowly increase toward daily use, depending on how your skin responds. A simple way to build up:
| Weeks | How often | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Once a week, at night | Tightness, redness or stinging that lasts |
| 3–4 | 2 times a week | Flaking or new sensitivity to other products |
| 5+ | Every other night, or daily if comfortable | Stay at the last comfortable step if skin gets irritated |
What to use with them, and what to avoid
Pairs well with
- Hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid or glycerin
- Niacinamide serums
- Moisturizers with ceramides or panthenol
- Daily sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
Don't use on the same night
- Retinol or other retinoids
- Other AHA, BHA or PHA toners and peels
- Physical scrubs or exfoliating brushes
- Strong vitamin C serums if your skin is sensitive
Layering several exfoliants is the most common reason toner pads cause irritation. Our guide to ingredients you shouldn't mix covers the combinations to keep on separate nights.
Common mistakes
- Using a pad every day from the start instead of building up.
- Using two pads in one go or going over the same area again and again.
- Wiping over the eyelids or lips.
- Skipping sunscreen. AHAs can make skin more sensitive to the sun.
- Using them on broken, sunburned or freshly waxed skin.
Frequently asked questions
Do you rinse off Balea toner pads?
No. Sweep the pad over clean skin, let the toner absorb, then continue with serum, moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning.
Can I use Balea Pore Refining Toner Pads every day?
Possibly, but not straight away. Balea recommends starting once a week and increasing gradually. Only move to daily use if your skin stays comfortable.
Can I use the pads with retinol?
Use them on different nights. Combining a glycolic acid toner and a retinoid in the same routine raises the risk of redness and peeling.
Should I use the pads in the morning or at night?
Either works, but night is easier. If you use them in the morning, apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 afterwards and avoid direct sun.
Where can I buy Balea toner pads?
Balea is dm's own brand, so the pads are sold in dm stores and on dm's website, as well as through some online resellers.
This guide is for general information only and isn't medical advice. If you have a skin condition or a reaction to a product, talk to a dermatologist.
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