Versus

Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser Versus Panoxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Maximum Strength

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on February 14, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Buffering, Masking

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.

The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).

Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum
Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Masking

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

Learn more about Sodium Chloride

When to use

42 Routines
52% use in am
48% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
2,020 Routines
39% use in am
61% use in pm
85% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Differin Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser 17 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Light (2) No Scent (2) Works Well (2)
michelle_mabelle's avatar

Michelle MaBelle

8 months ago
Review

TL;DR: Affordable and helpful with breakouts. Can be mildly drying, but not as drying as other "acne-safe" cleansers. Specifically formulated with retinoid use in mind.

Picked this up when I first started tret. I believe this DOES have AHA's in it (that you have to hunt for in the ingredients list—they're not called out), which can make it mildly drying and exfoliating, but I do find my cystic Show more

#great value
#drying
#light
#absorbs well
Masonoum_16's avatar

Masonoum_16

8 months ago
Review

A good basic cleanser.

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#no scent

Panoxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Maximum Strength 20 ingredients

3.9 /5
from 17 ratings
Drying (8) Great Value (7) Works Well (6)
utr1cular1a's avatar

utr1cular1a

1 year ago
Review

Disenfecting, a bit drying, but worth it.
The peroxide is going to break down the dead skin cells and any dried blood in your pores. It helps to kill the bacteria in them, which causes pimples and cysts. I've been dealing with fairly severe acne for a while, and I have problems with skin picking, but this helps. Make sure to moisturize well with it. It's steadily been eradicating the infections Show more

sunniiev's avatar

sunniiev

1 year ago
Review

This is a staple in my routine. i’ve been using this for over 2 years and it keeps my skin clear from breakouts/rashes & reduced my texture. However, it is very drying so read the instructions for usage and f/u with a hydrating moisturizer if you have dry skin.

#great value
#drying
#no scent
#works well