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CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser vs PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash: which is better?

This comparison comes down to acne-clearing reports and different trade-offs around irritation, cystic breakouts and body acne.

The quick answer

Depends what you need

  • Rated higher: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser — 75 vs 71 nextscore
  • More reviewed: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash — 385 vs 53 verdicts

CeraVe suits cystic breakouts and a less-stripping wash; PanOxyl suits body acne and short-contact use on face and body.

Choose CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser if

  • you want a wash Redditors praise for cystic breakouts
  • you prefer a less-stripping wash with ceramides and sodium hyaluronate

Choose PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash if

  • you’re targeting acne on your body
  • you want a short-contact wash for face and body

At a glance

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream CleanserPanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash
$0.09/ml—
75 · 53 verdicts71 · 385 verdicts
Ceramides, Benzoyl Peroxide bothBenzoyl Peroxide both

What Reddit says

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

What Reddit likes

  • 4% benzoyl peroxide wash for cystic breakouts
  • Ceramides and sodium hyaluronate make this less stripping

Watch out for

  • Daily use can wreck the barrier, causing dryness, redness, and chemical burns
  • Sensitive and eczema-prone skin can flare badly
See the Reddit threads on CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash

What Reddit likes

  • Redditors report fewer cysts, pustules, and back breakouts
  • Short-contact timing works for face and body
  • Studies found fewer pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads

Watch out for

  • Burning, peeling, itching, and barrier damage are common complaints
  • Too drying for dry or sensitive skin
  • Bleaches towels, sheets, hair, and facial hair
See the Reddit threads on PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash
Compare full ingredient lists · 7 in common

In both · 7

  1. Benzoyl Peroxide
  2. Glycerin
  3. Xanthan Gum
  4. Sodium Chloride
  5. Sodium Citrate
  6. Sodium Hydroxide
  7. Propanediol

Only in CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser · 21

  1. Water
  2. Propylene Glycol
  3. Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
  4. Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
  5. Potassium Hydroxide
  6. Ceramide NP
  7. Ceramide AP
  8. Ceramide EOP
  9. Carbomer
  10. Niacinamide
  11. Glycolic Acid
  12. Sodium Hyaluronate
  13. Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
  14. Cholesterol
  15. Phenoxyethanol
  16. Citric Acid
  17. Tetrasodium EDTA
  18. Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
  19. Phytosphingosine
  20. Ethylhexylglycerin
  21. Benzoic Acid

Only in PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash · 15

  1. Carbomer Homopolymer Type C
  2. Carbomer Interpolymer Type A
  3. Decyl Glucoside
  4. Dimethicone
  5. Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
  6. Palmitic Acid
  7. Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
  8. Polyoxyl 40 Stearate
  9. Purified Water
  10. Silica
  11. Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
  12. Sorbitan Stearate
  13. Sorbitol
  14. Stearic Acid
  15. T-Butyl Alcohol

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