PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash for oily acne-prone skin
Benzoyl Peroxide
Cetearyl Alcohol
Glycerin
Glycolic Acid
Dimethicone
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Highly suitable for your oily skin, this wash effectively targets acne and oiliness with benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid, which work to reduce lesions and exfoliate pores. Lactic acid and decyl glucoside further support pore clarity and gentle cleansing, complementing your skin's needs. The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation.
- The inclusion of glycerin and propanediol provides essential hydration, balancing the potent actives and ensuring your skin remains comfortable. This thoughtful formulation addresses your primary concerns for acne, blemishes, and breakouts while managing oiliness.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 85.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with oily, acne-prone, and cystic skin frequently report this wash as a "holy grail" for clearing stubborn breakouts on both the face and body. It is highly effective at reducing active pimples and preventing new ones, though it is potent and often causes dryness or irritation, requiring a good moisturizer and careful use on sensitive skin.
Highlights
Clears cystic acne Mostly Mentioned
- “shrinks them exponentially overnight”
- “significantly reduced my breakouts”
- “cleared up my forehead acne really well”
- “changed my life, honestly”
- “best acne cleanser I'EVER used”
Bleaches fabrics Mostly Mentioned
- “can bleach fabrics if comes in contact”
- “FYI: It does bleach towels!”
- “ruined my favorite shirt”
- “be careful with your pillowcases”
- “bleached my washcloths immediately”
Affordable price Often Mentioned
- “very affordable... don't sleep on this”
- “price point is very reasonable”
- “good value for the size”
Effective body wash Often Mentioned
- “little acne I have on my body it's gooonneeee”
- “cleared up my previously broken out inner thighs”
- “works so good on my face and body”
- “struggling with back acne... definitely has worked”
- “unclogs pores on the face, chest, and back”
Drying and irritating Often Mentioned
- “woke up to my face puffy and irritated”
- “does dry my skin out around my eyes”
- “skin irritation and dryness is more likely”
- “felt a burning sensation upon initial use”
- “can be harsh... moisturize afterwards”
Fast visible results Sometimes Noted
- “clears my skin in a matter of 7 days”
- “started to notice something in my skin... day five”
- “quickly reduced my inflamed breakouts”
- “kills over 99% of acne-causing bacteria in 15 seconds”
- “saw results in just a few days”
Causes skin purging Sometimes Noted
- “skin got worse... 14 days into it”
- “bringing everything to the surface”
- “had the worst breakout... on day eight”
- “purging period was rough”
- “got worse before it got better”
Poor packaging Rarely Noted
- “product just comes like spilling out”
- “cheap plastic tub”
- “hard to squeeze out the last bit”
- “cap broke easily”
- “leaks if not stored upright”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, target.com, ulta.com, walmart.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash is a great fit because benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid target breakouts and clear excess oil, while glycerin and propanediol provide hydration to keep your skin comfortable. This wash helps clear blemishes without harsh ingredients, making it safe for daily use on oily, acne-prone skin.
Molecules, 2021The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit because benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid target breakouts and oiliness by clearing out pores, while glycerin keeps your skin comfortable and hydrated. Lactic acid and propanediol help support clear pores and balanced moisture without causing irritation.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Benzoyl Peroxide do for oily acne-prone skin?
Benzoyl peroxide helps improve oily, acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and noninflamed breakouts. It works effectively to clear pimples, though it may occasionally cause skin dryness or irritation for some users.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022
What does Cetearyl Alcohol do for oily acne-prone skin?
Cetearyl Alcohol is generally safe for oily acne-prone skin, helping to keep formulas stable without clogging pores. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation and is commonly used to keep products smooth and easy to apply.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the cleansing step before your toner and moisturizer. It helps clear away oil and target breakouts safely without harsh irritation.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this wash with retinol by applying the wash first in your routine and following it with your retinol product, but because both ingredients are strong, this combination may increase the likelihood of skin dryness or irritation. To help keep your skin comfortable, make sure to include a good moisturizer in your routine.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024American Family Physician, 2012
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin, using benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid to clear breakouts and manage oil. It helps reduce acne while glycerin and propanediol keep your skin comfortable.
Molecules, 2021The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, but benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid may cause skin purging or temporary dryness and irritation as they clear out oil and blemishes. Glycerin and propanediol help keep your skin comfortable while the treatment works.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical benzoyl peroxide may improve acne more effectively than placebo or no treatment, while showing little to no difference compared with adapalene or clindamycin, but with an increased risk of treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects compared to placebo.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Once-daily fixed-dose clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1%/adapalene 0.15% gel achieved superior treatment success (52.5%) and greater reductions in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions compared to vehicle (8.1%) and dyad component gels in participants with moderate-to-severe acne over 12 weeks.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022A mixture of propanediol, xylitol, and caprylic acid demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, reduced 5-alpha reductase expression, and decreased skin oiliness, porphyrin, and inflammatory lesions in participants over 28 days.
Molecules, 2021A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel achieved significantly greater treatment success and lesion reductions compared to vehicle in participants with moderate-to-severe acne.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2023Daily application of adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel reduced and prevented atrophic acne scar formation, achieving a total scar count change of -15.5% versus +14.4% for vehicle over 24 weeks in 67 subjects with moderate or severe facial acne.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.
Military Medicine, 2024A dimethicone skin protectant lotion significantly decreased visual scoring and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control and SLS-only treated sites in 12 healthy humans exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate.
Skin Research and Technology, 2000Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007
Ingredients
Benzoyl Peroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Imidurea, Lactic Acid, Methylparaben, Mineral Oil, Peg-14m, Potassium Lauryl Sulfate, Potassium Phosphate, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Pca, Titanium Dioxide, Zea Mays Starch, Carbomer Homopolymer Type C, Carbomer Interpolymer Type A, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Palmitic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyoxyl 40 Stearate, Propanediol, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Sorbitan Stearate, Stearic Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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