Oil-Reducing Cleanser
Acne Gel Wash

Paula's Choice

Oil-Reducing Cleanser

PanOxyl

Acne Gel Wash

A face cleanser, for barrier repair and smoothing.

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

Face cleanser
Face cleanser
17 ingredients
22 ingredients

Brand price

USD 28.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded

No retailer listed yet
No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

  • Fatty alcohol1

    Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.

    Cetearyl Alcohol

  • 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

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

  • Water (in both products)

    Skin Conditioning

  • Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

    Cleansing

    • Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
    • May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

  • Sodium Lauroamphoacetate

    Cleansing

    • Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
    • May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

  • Stearic Acid

    Cleansing

    2-3 / 0

    • Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
    • Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
    • Possibly animal-derived
    • May Trigger Acne
    • May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
    • May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

  • Glycerin (in both products)

    Humectant

    0 / 0

    • Possibly animal-derived
    • Hydrating

  • Glycol Distearate

    Emollient

    • Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
    • May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

  • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

    Emollient

    0 / 0

    • Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
    • Plant or mineral oil
    • Barrier Repair
    • Hydrating
    • May Worsen Oily Skin
    • May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

  • Acrylates Copolymer

    Film Forming

  • Cetearyl Alcohol

    Emollient

    2 / 1

    • Fatty alcohol
    • Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
    • May Trigger Acne
    • May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
    • May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

  • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

    Emollient

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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