First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

I bought these Facial Radiance pads by First Aid Beauty shortly after they hit Sephora's website. I needed a new toner and this seemed as good as anything. Plus, I liked the convenience of the pads. Also, I was looking for something with glycolic acid and this guy has it.

The back says: "... just enough lactic and glycolic acids to make it safe for daily use. Cucumber and Indian gooseberry tone the skin while lemon peel and licorice root leave the skin bright and glowing. ... Free of parabens, harsh chemicals and colorants."

Olay Refreshing Toner (And a Bit About Toners in General)

I don't expect too much from a toner because for one, it seems as though a toner is not a TOTALLY necessary step in skin care; it's more of a way to top off your skincare routine. I've found that toners do more to make me feel like I've done something extra and special for my skin than actually really doing a whole lot to improve it. Maybe I'm using the wrong toners...

What are toners for anyway?

I've read lots of mixed ideas about what toners are for and whether or not you actually need one. Most of the time it seems to be a personal preference thing. Toners are good for removing any left-over residue from your cleanser and attempting to help even out your skin. On the other hand, others believe that toners do a lot of heavy work and are absolutely necessary.

Ideally speaking, a good toner can provide hydration, a deep cleaning, balance to your skin and can also assist in getting the most out of your other skin care products.

So does Olay's Refreshing Toner live up to these claims?