Applicators are described suitable for the application of liquid to patients skin. An applicator pad (3) is supported on a support flange (23) of an applicator housing (2), which receives a liquid cartridge (5). To moderate the rush of liquid on to the back of the applicator pad a flow distributor plate (6) is positioned on the rear position of the pad (3), restricting flow onto the pad to an annular slit opening around the plate (6). The front surface of the plate (6), opposing the pad (3), may have one or more grooves so that liquid can flow from the edge towards the centre. Also disclosed, as an alternative, is the use of a projecting cantilevered tongue structure to distribute liquid across the rear surface of the sponge pad. The pad may have a hooked lobe shape for a front end of the applicator pad.
