Is using cotton pads for a long time also bad for the skin?

I suddenly became curious while using cotton pads.

I use a cotton pad every time I apply toner. I keep using it because it helps refine my skin texture and feels cleaner than applying it with my hands.

However, I saw that wiping your skin with a cotton pad every day can irritate it because of the friction.

Especially these days, I feel like my skin gets red and dry more easily than before, so I wonder if it might be because of the cotton pads.

However, if I apply toner with my hands, it feels like it isn't absorbing properly, so it's hard to switch easily.

For those of you who have used cotton pads for a long time, have you actually experienced any changes in your skin?

I am also curious which method felt more comfortable on the skin: applying toner with your hands or with a cotton pad.