My skin is combination. Mostly oily around the T-zone but dry and sensitive on my cheeks, especially when the weather changes. I’ve tried a bunch of toner pads before, but most of them either stripped my skin or felt like a waste of time. I wasn't expecting much when I picked up the Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad, but I was curious because I’ve had good experiences with Madecassoside in creams and spot treatments. And honestly? This one might be the first toner pad I actually want to finish.

At first, I didn’t even realize it was marketed as a “blemish pad.” I just saw Madecassoside on the label and that was enough to catch my attention. Madecassoside, if you're not familiar, is a compound derived from Centella Asiatica, known for its calming and skin barrier–repairing properties. I’ve used cica creams when my skin freaks out from over-exfoliating or windburn, so I figured: why not try a pad version?

From the moment I opened the jar, I could tell it was going to be different from others I’ve tried. A lot of pads are super thin or overly soaked to the point where they drip everywhere, but these were just right. They’re soft, a little plush, and have just enough structure that they don’t fold or tear when you swipe them across your face. They also come in a decent size—not tiny like some exfoliating pads—and they stay moist all the way through the jar. No dried-out pads at the bottom.

The essence in these pads is another reason I kept reaching for them. It’s super watery, more like a refreshing skin conditioner than a thick serum. It soaks in fast and doesn’t leave any tackiness behind. After cleansing, one pad is all I need to wipe away that tight feeling, especially around my cheeks. It feels cool and calming, especially on days when I’ve spent too long outside or used an active the night before. There’s no overwhelming scent, no stinging, and no weird film left behind.

What surprised me most was how quickly it became part of my regular routine. I started using it after my morning cleanse to wake up my face, and again at night when I didn’t feel like layering a full routine. It works well as a skin-reset step. Like, if I’ve gone too hard with exfoliating the day before or picked at a spot (oops), this helps calm everything down. After about a week of use, I noticed my skin looked more even. Not a dramatic difference, but definitely less redness and irritation. I also got fewer new breakouts during the time I used it consistently.

One thing I really liked is how the pads don’t leave your skin feeling stripped. They don’t contain alcohol or anything too harsh, so if you’re dealing with sensitivity, this feels like a great in-between product—like toner, treatment, and calming essence all in one. I didn’t expect them to actually do anything for blemishes, but they really helped soothe post-acne marks and stopped my skin from getting worse when it was already irritated.

The only thing I’d nitpick is that, if you’re expecting a strong exfoliating effect or “peel pad” type result, this isn’t that. It’s not meant to resurface your skin in an obvious way. But honestly, I kind of appreciate that. Sometimes you just need something that shows up every day, quietly doing its job, without making your skin angry in the process.

I think this would be a solid pick for anyone with sensitive or acne-prone skin who wants to keep things simple and calming. It doesn’t do everything, but what it does, it does well. I’m already thinking about grabbing a backup, rare for me with toner pads. I’ve been burned by a lot of overhyped ones, but this one actually earns its spot on the shelf.