Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Stridex Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US .

Last updated on December 05, 2023. Published on August 20, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils or parabens

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Exfoliator American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Price

Shop

Buy Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive

Starts at $29.57
Shop

Buy Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Starts at $15.60

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying (3)
Irritating (5)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Acid

Stridex Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US contains this as ingredient number 4.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Stridex Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive contains this as ingredient number 11.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
What it does:
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.

Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.

Stridex Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive contains this as ingredient number 14.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US contains this as ingredient number 8.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

21% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
29% have no rating yet
25% are loved or liked
38% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Stridex Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive 14 ingredients

Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 33 reviews
MichelleR's Avatar'
Nov 26, 2023

Viral for a REASON
This product is popular for a reason. Back in the day [showing my age] we used to use Noxzema and Stridex for our acne. But those products were so harsh, burned, and didn't produce any results. This product not only...

Viral for a REASON
This product is popular for a reason. Back in the day [showing my age] we used to use Noxzema and Stridex for our acne. But those products were so harsh, burned, and didn't produce any results. This product not only clears pores but is also nourishing [suspect it is the green tea]. After I apply, my skin doesn't feel raw or sensitive. The formulation of this product is FANTASTIC. Truly viral for a reason. It will forever be in my skincare collection.

Region: US
lonelydeath's Avatar'
Apr 21, 2024

I have put off on using this product for so long due to the price, but it is worth it. I have tried so many products with salicylic acid and this one is the first to work. It has an oil consistency, but does not feel oily at all.

I have put off on using this product for so long due to the price, but it is worth it. I have tried so many products with salicylic acid and this one is the first to work. It has an oil consistency, but does not feel oily at all.

Expensive
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
No Scent
Works Well
Region: US
MSP's Avatar'
Jun 17, 2023

Holy grail since my late teens
It has been my holy grail since 18. Now at 26, I have switched to retinol and Kiehl's Dark Spot Corrector (Vit C + BHA), hence will be discontinuing. Maaay still keep a small bottle to use when needed.

Holy grail since my late teens
It has been my holy grail since 18. Now at 26, I have switched to retinol and Kiehl's Dark Spot Corrector (Vit C + BHA), hence will be discontinuing. Maaay still keep a small bottle to use when needed.

Region: US

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Stridex Medicated Acne Pads - Sensitive.

See 1 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 30 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US.

See 30 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...