SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser vs PanOxyl Acne Gel Wash

SkinCeuticals

PanOxyl

A face cleanser built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

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

Face cleanser

27 ingredients

22 ingredients

Brand price

USD 39.00 · checked 28 Sept 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.

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetyl Alcohol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid1
The smallest AHA, and so the most penetrating.
Glycolic 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

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Propanediol
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin

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.
Cetyl Alcohol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polysorbate 20, Trideceth-6
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetyl Alcohol
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Cetyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Limonene

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 / —
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 2
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
Emulsifying

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 (in both products)
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.

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 →
Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
Sodium Chloride
Bulking, Fragrance, Oral Care, Viscosity Controlling
Sodium chloride
Learn more about Sodium Chloride →
Sodium Benzoate
Anticorrosive, Fragrance, Preservative
Sodium Benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Sodium Benzoate →