Stridex

Stridex is an American acne treatment and prevention medicine, originally a registered trademark of Bayer Corporation. It comes in the form of fibrous pads saturated with astringents. Most products in the Stridex line contain as the active ingredient salicylic acid ; Stridex Power Pads contain benzoyl peroxide, a nonprescription acne treatment medication. However, they also warn about possible side effects: dryness of the skin, possible burning, and tingling. In 2013, the FDA started to investigate a possible link between benzoyl peroxide- and/or salicylic acid-based acne prevention medicine with hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions without calling off any products or placing warnings.
Stridex was first released in 1959 by Lehn & Fink and was the first acne treatment pad which did not require a prescription for purchase. It is part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection. In 1996, it was purchased by Blistex, Inc.