Thanks to viral products like Rhode’s Glazing Milk, milky toners are having a moment right now. In theory, I get the appeal: they’re packed with hydrating ingredients that help lock in moisture, repair the skin barrier, and leave skin plump and dewy. In practice, though, I find them incredibly annoying to use. The liquid always drips down my hands and arms, making a mess, and I never feel like I’m applying it evenly to my face. Sure, I could use a cotton round—but I can never seem to find one when I actually need it, so I end up skipping the step altogether.
I grew up on Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads, so I’ve always loved the pad format. It’s convenient, mess-free, and easy to work into your routine. Most pads I’ve used are exfoliating or brightening, so I was excited to see a hydrating option from First Aid Beauty.
Normally, my combo skin does just fine with a layer of light moisturizer, but this winter, it’s been begging for more hydration. The snowy weather and long stretches of below-freezing temps, coupled with dry, indoor air, have made me much drier than usual, especially around my nose and mouth. As someone who is acne-prone, I’m always hesitant to layer on rich creams and balms to combat winter dryness, so First Aid Beauty’s pads seemed like the perfect solution.
Each pad is soaked in a lightweight milky toner that’s full of ceramides and colloidal oatmeal. Ceramides are essential for restoring your skin barrier and locking in moisture, and colloidal oatmeal is one of the best ingredients for soothing redness and irritation. Together, they’re the antidote to dry, inflamed winter skin. Also, the texture of the pads is perfect—they’re plush and pillowy (as the name suggests) and glide seamlessly across skin.
I’ve been using them for the past two weeks as the first step in my morning skincare routine, and I’ve noticed my skin feels softer and more hydrated throughout the day. I rely on potentially drying actives—like prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, and clindamycin—to keep my acne in check, and these pads act as a buffer that helps prevent dryness and flaking without adding another heavy layer to my routine.
Because these pads are so hydrating, they also create a subtle “sponge effect” (a damp sponge absorbs liquid better than a dry one), helping the serums and creams I apply afterward absorb better.
If you don’t have dry or sensitive skin, this is probably a step you can skip in your skincare routine, but if you’ve been looking for a way to get in extra hydration and aren’t a fan of typical milky toners, First Aid Beauty’s Hydrating Pillow Pads are a must-try.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
