When applying skincare products, is it better to pat them in with my hands to help with absorption, or just rub them in or leave them on?

I always wonder about this whenever I apply skincare products morning and evening. Do you all pat your skin vigorously with your hands after applying cosmetics, or do you just leave it alone? It doesn't seem to make much difference even when I try patting it.

I read somewhere that constantly patting your face with your hands actually causes continuous micro-irritation to sensitive facial skin, which can lead to redness. There was also talk that the cosmetics aren't being absorbed but are simply evaporating due to the heat from the friction, so I'm wondering if what I've been doing all this time has actually been damaging my skin.

But then again, if I just spread toner or ampoule on my face and leave it alone, it feels like it will just linger on the surface and evaporate into the air, so that feels unsatisfying too.