Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse™ vs PanOxyl Acne Gel Wash

Medik8

PanOxyl

A face cleanser built around AHA and Mandelic acid, for smoothing and exfoliation.

A face cleanser built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.

Face cleanser

25 ingredients

22 ingredients

Brand price

GBP 25.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free and EU-allergen-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

AHA3
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Lactic acid1
An AHA that also acts as a humectant.
Lactic Acid
Mandelic acid1
A large-molecule AHA — slower, and gentler.
Mandelic Acid

Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)1
Zinc salts, used for sebum control and soothing.
Zinc PCA
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid

Hydrating2
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, Lactic Acid
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Glycerin
Smoothing5
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid
Brightening1
Restores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Lactic Acid

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Betaine, Glycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Zinc PCA
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Zinc PCA
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
PEG-150 Distearate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-150 Distearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
PEG-150 Distearate

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate (in both products)
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (in both products)
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
0 / —
- AHA
- Mandelic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Skin Conditioning
- EU labelled fragrance allergen
- Fragrance
- Fragrant essential oil (sensitizer)
- Phototoxic citrus oil (furocoumarin)
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Citric Acid (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —
- AHA
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning

Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
0-1 / —
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
0-1 / —
Sodium Citrate
Buffering
0 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing, Foaming, Cleansing
Sulfonic acids, C14-16-alkane hydroxy and C14-16-alkene, sodium salts
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate →
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Antistatic, Cleansing, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →