Paula's Choice Ultra-Gentle Cleanser vs PanOxyl Acne Gel Wash

Paula's Choice

PanOxyl

A face cleanser, for hydration and barrier repair.

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

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

At a Glance

Every check both products could be assessed on comes out the same. Tap any answer to see why.

No key ingredients

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

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Fructose, Glucose, Glycerin
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin
Smoothing1
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Antioxidant1
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Hydroxyacetophenone

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:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
Emulsifying
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cellulose Gum
Fragrance
0 / 0
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —

Salicylic Acid
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.

Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
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 →