My PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash Review

TikTok has been blowing up recently with videos of people using the PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash and raving about how well it works.

However, as someone who’s been using this product for quite some time, I must say that there are ways you can go wrong with it, which can lead to all sorts of skin issues, including dryness, irritation, and even more acne.

This is why in this article, I will give my opinion on the PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash and talk about how you can use it correctly for the best results and minimum side effects.

What is PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash?

The PanOxyl 10% Acne Wash is a foaming cleanser that is used to treat moderate to severe acne. It contains 10% benzoyl peroxide, which is an acne-fighting ingredient and can be used on the face and body.

Ingredients

The PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash is a basic product, and although the ingredient list is longer than what I usually appreciate, it only contains two ingredients that matter.

The first one is 10% benzoyl peroxide, which is the active ingredient in the cleanser and the one responsible for the antibacterial and anti-acne effect on the skin.

Benzoyl peroxide is an efficient acne-fighting ingredient that works by infusing the pores with oxygen, which consequently destroys the airless environment bacteria prefer to thrive in.

The second ingredient is glycerin, a hydrating component that helps offset some of the drying effects of benzoyl peroxide.

And while glycerin probably won’t do much in a cleanser that’s rinsed off immediately, it’s not bad to have this ingredient in the formula.

Other than these two main ingredients, the PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash contains stabilizers, surfactants, and emulsifiers that help the cleanser achieve its foamy consistency, texture, safety, and efficacy.

Scent

The PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash contains some fragrant ingredients, such as T-Butyl Alcohol, and this causes the strong medicinal scent some people might find off-putting.

Consistency

The PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash comes out of the tube in a milky cream form but lathers exceptionally well and turns into a rich foam upon contact with water.

How to Use the PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash?

When using a product that contains a high concentration of benzoyl peroxide, such as the PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash that has the highest strength available, it’s important to start slow and not overuse it.

For example, if you are dealing with moderate to severe acne on the face, you should only use no more than a pea-sized amount of product 2-3 times a week.

On the other hand, if you are trying to get rid of acne in areas where the skin is thicker and coarser, such as the back or bum, using about a nickel-size amount 2-3 times a week should be enough.

Additionally, you can also leave the cleanser on the skin for 1-2 minutes and have it act as a short-contact mask.

Lastly, don’t forget to follow it up with a good hydrating moisturizer to prevent dryness and irritation, as this product definitely has the potential to strip your skin and cause tightness and discomfort.

Who is the PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash Best For?

The PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash is specifically designed for people with oily, coarse, and acne-prone skin, and due to the rather drying and potentially irritating ingredients, including the high strength of its main active ingredient, it’s definitely not recommended to be used by someone with ultra-sensitive and reactive skin.

If you are dealing with acne but also have dry, sensitive, sensitized, or reactive skin, there are many other alternatives, such as gentle retinoids, salicylic acid, mandelic acid, etc., to help soothe and heal acne without compromising your skin.

Is the PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash Worth Buying?

The PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash is definitely worth buying if you are dealing with moderate to severe acne on the face and body.

This is an affordable cleanser that can be used as a treatment or a maintenance option, and while it’s not the most gentle or skin-loving formula, it gets the job done when it comes to tackling acne.

Where to Buy the PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash?

You can buy the PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash in the following stores:

• PanOxyl Official Website ($12)
• Amazon ($10)
• Vitamin Go – Europe (£14.99)

PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash Alternatives

While the PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash is an effective treatment for acne, it can definitely be too strong for those whose skin is dry and sensitive.

In this case, it’s best to look for a gentler product with a milder benzoyl peroxide concentration that also contains other ingredients to help soothe and calm the skin.

Here are some alternative benzoyl peroxide products for sensitive skin:

Acne.org – 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Treatment – $24

The 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Treatment by Acne.Org is an excellent leave-on treatment for acne that contains a low concentration of benzoyl peroxide, making it suitable for people with sensitive and dry skin.

Paula’s Choice – 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Clearing Treatment – $19

Paula’s Choice Benzoyl Peroxide treatment is another excellent product that helps fight acne while also containing soothing and hydrating ingredients to prevent potential dryness and irritation, including bisabolol, which is a soothing agent derived from chamomile, as well as allantoin, which is a gentle skin conditioning agent with calming properties.

CeraVe – Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser – $15

CeraVe’s Acne Foaming Cleanser contains 4% benzoyl peroxide that helps dissolve sebum, unclog pores, and destroy the acne-causing bacteria.

However, this gentle cleanser also contains ceramides, which are waxy lipids that strengthen the skin barrier, hyaluronic acid that helps retain skin’s natural moisture, and niacinamide, which is a brightening and calming agent.

It is an excellent introduction to benzoyl peroxide, and it might be an ideal product for you if you have acne but your skin is also very sensitive.