Time Tested Goodie: Stridex Maximum Strength

Every few months, I get some crazy, hormonal breakout. They're incredibly deep, and take up to a week to even come to a head. They hurt, and I get some serious swelling around them. Currently I have one on my left cheekbone (yay, beginning of the semester!), so I thought I'd share my one acne product.

Stridex Maximum Strength Pads (red box)

These are nice because they deliver 2% salicylic acid (a BHA, beta hydroxy acid), which is the highest over-the-counter concentration. The pads are just soaked with the liquid, and one box lasts quite a long time. I started buying these because my boyfriend has very persistent hormonal acne along with dehydrated, yet oily skin. These pads have helped him diminish his very prominent sebaceous filaments (often confused with blackheads), and, after a short detoxifying time, cleared his skin right up. He Stridex-es twice a day, and when I get a pimple, I'll use the pad right before him and just hold it on my pimple for a second. You can feel the liquid coming out of the pad, and you can feel it working for a short time afterwards. It's tingly, but not painful. Used twice a day, it helps my pimple come to a head much faster, and helps the blemish heal much faster. You should NOT pop pimples, but put a bandaid with antibacterial ointment or a hydrocolloid bandage over it during the night, which helps the pus be drawn out.

Something I didn't know when I used these for a short time when I was younger: You need to let the medication work for some time before washing/moisturizing your face. I would use this before washing, because it has detergent ingredients and menthol, which are irritants. I would give it at least five minutes, or until it feels like the liquid has dried and stopped tingling. Otherwise, the salicylic acid will be neutralized by the water/cleanser/moisturizer, and stop working.

Where to buy: Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Drugstore.com, Amazon.com

List Price: $6.29

Normal to slightly dry skin: 5/5.