Stridex Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive Versus Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Stridex Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive 14 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Stridex Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive 14 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Epilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Stearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lauric Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Stridex Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive 14 ingredients
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Stridex Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive 14 ingredients
Calms my inflamed acne (redish, painful, hormonal) on my cheeks and forehead, loveee leaving it 2-5 min on my problem areas, works really well if you can't use the 2% one and have a sensitive skin but still need fo unclog your pores. Sadly it is too expensive in my country and lots of fakes online 😞 still trying to find a dupe for this product.
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant 25 ingredients
Why are brands still putting Dimethicone in products 🙄
Strangely oily. The first time I used this I thought it worked wonders but over time lost it's effectiveness and I started breaking out again. When I had another recent breakout, it did absolutely nothing and makes me think that this was contributing to my breakouts all along.
