This popular K-Beauty trend is a fuss-free way to elevate skincare without adding multiple extra steps
Toner pads are officially having a moment in the beauty world, with names like Molly-Mae Hague among those praising their skin-boosting perks. And now, a cult K-beauty brand has brought its latest innovation to the UK.
Mediheal’s new PDRN Lifting Pads have just landed at Boots, priced at £22 for a tub of 100 pads. That works out at 22p per pad, making them an affordable way to tap into the toner pad trend.
Like all toner pads, they’re designed to offer a quick skin fix, ideal for busy mornings or low-effort evening routines. Users can swipe one across the skin after cleansing as a classic toner step, or leave a few pads on targeted areas for five to 10 minutes as a mini sheet mask treatment.
The PDRN Lifting Pads are formulated to help target the look of pores and fine lines, delivering active ingredients deeper into the skin to support a smoother, firmer appearance. They can be used morning and night, depending on routines and preference.
We spoke to Dr Ewa Kania, (full interview can be read here) an aesthetic doctor and regenerative skin specialist, who explained: “PDRN is a DNA-fragment-derived regenerative ingredient originally developed for medical wound healing. In skin, it signals fibroblasts and other cells to support collagen and elastin synthesis, enhance barrier repair, improve hydration, and reduce low-grade inflammation.”
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These soothing cotton face pads are ideal for offering a quick skin fix.
This Mediheal product uses plant-based Rose PDRN, which the brand claims is “250 times smaller than animal-derived PDRN, and delivers active ingredients deep into the skin.” Although the brand says products are suitable for sensitive skin, it’s worth noting that what works for one user may not for another.
Elsewhere, Glow Recipe (the cult brand previously praised by Sienna Miller) has also joined the craze. The brand has released three targeted toner pads (£27, Sephora), each designed to tackle a specific skin concern: LHA and AHA Exfoliating Toner Pads, Vitamin C Brightening Toner Pads and PDRN+ Repair and Smooth Toner Pads.
Otherwise, Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads (£38.50, Cult Beauty) have been praised for exfoliating skin. They also work hard to minimise the appearance of spots, blackheads and fine lines.
Mediheal’s PDRN Lifting Pads have only had one review so far: “OMG I love these PDRN toner pads. They are so moist and really help with lifting. You should definitely have these toner pads in your routine. I love all of the Mediheal toner pads, and would 100% recommend.”
Mediheal’s other products have had reviews, though. Someone who used the Madecassoside Blemish Pads said: “I’ve been using these pads for two to three years, and I’m so glad Boots is selling them now. I love this product so much.
“It gets rid of marks I’ve had for a while and makes my skin feel so smooth; it has a nice scent, but it’s not irritating.”
Meanwhile, another said: “I was worried at first that they might make my skin oily. But they’re amazing. The texture of my skin and the glow have been amazing.”
However, it isn’t all good news. This person shared: “The smell puts me off. These actually smell like toilet cleaning products.”
But on a more positive note, this Vitamide Brightening Pads user said: “The Mediheal Vitamide Brightening Pads are amazing! They instantly refresh, brighten dull skin, and leave it feeling smooth and glowing. Love how easy and hygienic they are to use with the tweezers.”
