I used to think toner pads were unnecessary, mostly because I prefer a simple routine and I do not like paying for something that feels redundant. Over time, though, I realized the value is not just the formula. It is the format. When my skin feels hot, slightly flushed, or overstimulated, a well-made pad can calm things down quickly without turning the rest of my routine into a longer project.

For this [100day contest: Pick the best cooling and soothing toner pads], I tested pads with a pretty specific checklist in mind. I have combination skin, which means I can get oilier through the T-zone, but my cheeks can still feel tight or reactive if there is too much friction or if a product leaves a heavy finish. I wanted a cooling pad that feels genuinely soothing, stays comfortable on the skin, and dries down cleanly enough to sit under sunscreen and makeup.

That is where the Anua 8 Hyaluronic Acid Catechin Calming Pad has impressed me. It gives an immediate cooling sensation, but the overall experience stays gentle and controlled. The finish is hydrated, not sticky, and it does not leave that film that can make makeup slide around later.

What stood out first was the saturation. The pads are properly soaked, so they glide without dragging and can be used as a short mask without drying out right away. At the same time, they are not sloppy. I do not get drips running down my wrist, and I do not feel like I need to squeeze the pad before using it. The essence has a light, watery-gel feel, and it absorbs quickly once I pat in what is left on the skin. My face feels moisturized and settled, not coated.

The pad material matters just as much as the essence. These feel soft and smooth against the skin. Even when I use them on days when my cheeks are a bit sensitive, I do not feel that scratchy, gauze-like friction some pads can have. That makes a difference for daily use, because a cooling product is not very helpful if the pad itself creates irritation.

The other practical detail is the size. These are generously sized pads. When I place one on a cheek, it covers enough area to feel like a real treatment rather than a tiny patch I need to reposition three times. That size is also useful when I want targeted calming without committing to a full sheet mask.

Instead of describing this in a product-feature list, it makes more sense to explain how it has worked in the situations that usually cause me problems.

In the morning, before makeup, I want hydration and calm without shine. If my skin is slightly puffy or warm when I wake up, I will cleanse, then place a pad across each cheek for a few minutes while I get ready. The cooling effect is immediate, and the pads feel comfortable and secure rather than sliding around. After I remove them, I pat in the remaining essence and give it a minute to settle. What I notice most is that my skin looks more even and feels less reactive, but the finish stays light. It does not leave a sticky layer that fights with sunscreen, and it does not make my T-zone look extra glossy. On days when my base makeup usually clings unevenly, my foundation applies more smoothly and looks less patchy around the areas that can run dry.

After being outside, the value is even clearer. If I have been in the sun or just moving around a lot, my face can feel hot and slightly flushed, especially through the cheeks and around the nose. This is when many "soothing" products feel nice for a moment but do not actually change how my skin feels. With the Anua 8 Hyaluronic Acid Catechin Calming Pad, the cooling sensation is strong enough that it actually shifts the overall comfort level of my skin. I will use one or two pads as short masks on the warmest areas, then pat in the remaining essence. The redness looks less pronounced, and my skin feels calmer for a while afterward, not just for the first minute. It feels like a reset rather than a brief cooling touch.

The most telling scenario for me is the classic combination-skin day: by mid-afternoon, my T-zone looks shiny, but my cheeks feel slightly tight, and I can tell my skin is getting a bit sensitive from the day. This is where I do not want harsh wiping or anything that feels astringent, but I also do not want to layer something heavy that makes my forehead look worse. On one of those days, I used a pad lightly through the T-zone, then placed the same pad (still very damp) on one cheek for a couple of minutes. The result was exactly what I want from a calming pad. My forehead felt refreshed and less slick, my cheeks felt more comfortable, and the finish stayed balanced. It did not turn into that confusing mix of "hydrated but greasy" that some essence-heavy pads can create on combination skin. It was simply calmer skin with a cleaner surface feel.

Across all three situations, the consistent theme is the finish. Once the essence absorbs, my skin feels hydrated but not tacky. That matters because a sticky finish can ruin the practicality of a toner pad, especially if you wear makeup or if you live with any humidity. With these, I do not feel like I need to rinse, and I do not feel like my next step has to work around a residue.

If I had to name the one reason I would pick these for a cooling and soothing pad contest, it is that they feel effective without asking you to tolerate trade-offs. The pads are comfortable and soft, the cooling is noticeable, and the formula absorbs cleanly. It fits into a real routine, including mornings when you need your makeup to behave and evenings when your skin simply feels overworked.

I also appreciate that the experience feels consistent from pad to pad. Some tubs start strong and then feel drier over time. With this, the pads stay well-saturated, and I do not feel like I am scraping the last bit of essence out of the container.

Overall, the Anua 8 Hyaluronic Acid Catechin Calming Pad is the kind of product that earns its place through reliability. It gives a strong cooling effect, helps my skin feel calmer when it runs hot, and leaves a hydrated finish that works with combination skin instead of fighting it. For this contest, that balance is exactly what I would want to vote for.