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Daily Care Acne Pads With Salicylic Acid, Maximum Strength

AcneAcne Spot Treatment

Daily Care Acne Pads With Salicylic Acid, Maximum Strength — Reddit Reviews

by Stridex

83nextscore87 verdicts

Updated September 23, 2026

2% salicylic acid pads for acne and clogged pores; can feel stripping.

What the community says

Backed by 34 studies

A 2% salicylic acid wipe for acne, blackheads, and rough texture. Redditors swear by it for body breakouts and KP, and studies back salicylic acid for acne. The catch is the classic red-pad formula can sting, peel, and trash a damaged barrier.

From Reddit

Backed by 30 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction and 5 more.

Read the threads ↓

What people love

  • 2% SA wipes — no rinse, no fuss
  • Actually helps blackheads and clogged pores
  • Cheap enough for body acne and KP

Watch out for

  • The red-pad formula can sting and peel
  • Fragrance and menthol make sensitive skin angry
  • Can be too stripping on dry, damaged barriers

Product details

Where to buy

What the science says vs. what Reddit says

  • Acne

    Some evidence

    Salicylic Acid: 16 studies tested it on its own. See all 34 studies

    On Reddit: Maximum strength pads deliver 2% salicylic acid in a wipe form favored for body spots like back and chest. 47 mentions

    What the studies found
    • Most studies found salicylic acid helped acne
    • It often improved pimples, blackheads and whiteheads
    • It usually worked about as well as other common acne treatments
    • Some studies found it helped more when used together with other acne treatments
    • Side effects were unclear in the findings provided

    Studied at 0.5–30%this product: 2%

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.

Real Reddit threads — 127 mentions across 30 threads

Stridex Daily Care Acne Pads With Salicylic Acid, Maximum Strength on Reddit, in one place — 30 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction and 5 more, summarized.

“Same, but with Stridex. I genetically have oily skin and this stuff still doesn’t dry me out.”

Positive

“Stridex still work for me whenever I need them. You’re supposed to rub a little on your acne spots only, not the entire face…”

Positive

“Stridex in the red tub is still bomb. The salicylic acid really helps to chemically exfoliate and even out rough skin texture.”

Positive

“Those Stridex pads are actually excellent though. It's just 2% salicylic acid.”

Positive

“Yes, I came here to defend red Stridex. Alcohol free, 2% salicylic acid, fairly affordable.”

Positive

“I use it on the backs of my arms and legs for kp and it works excellent.”

Positive

“I use stridex pads for this purpose too! Works great”

Positive

“I use stridex pads for this purpose too!”

Positive

“Works great”

Positive

“I use TO azelaic acid suspension with Stridex max for salicylic acid...”

Mentioned

“Can you use glycolic acid 7% with salicylic acid 2% if the salicylic acid is used as spot treatment?”

Mentioned

“You can use Azelaic one on day, salicylic acid on the other.”

Mentioned

“I use bha, stridex, along my jaw line and it's worked for dealing with hormonal acne”

Positive

“Ditto for sebaceous filaments along nose.”

Positive

“I started using wait times for it and it ended up being pretty harsh.”

Positive

“most in 'wipe' forms similar to what I understand Stridex is.”

Mentioned

“I live in Seoul and there's a been a HUGE surge suddenly of AHA/BHA products, most in 'wipe' forms similar to what I understand Stridex is.”

Mentioned

“Stridex”

Mentioned

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