Daily Care Acne Pads With Salicylic Acid, Maximum Strength — Reddit Reviews
by Stridex
Updated October 21, 2026
Reddit’s acne-pad favorite; studies support 2% salicylic acid, with drying complaints.
What the community says
A maximum-strength 2% salicylic-acid wipe for clogged pores, breakouts, and body bumps. Redditors report clear wins, and studies found topical salicylic acid helps acne; dry, reactive skin may find the fragrance-and-menthol formula stripping.
What this means for you
Backed by 30 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction and 6 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
- 2% salicylic acid wipe; no rinsing needed
- Blackheads and clogged pores are the sweet spot
- Cheap and sold everywhere
Watch out for
- Drying enough to peel or burn already-dry skin
- Overuse can wreck the skin barrier
- Fails to clear some persistent clogs or breakouts
Product details
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
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: Post-shower chest swipes are one commenter’s daily fix for recurring breakouts. 52 mentions
What the studies found
- Most studies found salicylic acid helped clear acne
- It often reduced pimples, blackheads and whiteheads
- It usually worked about as well as other common acne treatments
- Used with other acne treatments, it sometimes cleared acne better than those treatments alone
- Side effect results were very uncertain in one large review
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 — 142 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 6 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
Dupes & Alternatives
Compared with
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