Versus

Panoxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Maximum Strength Versus Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
French Brand France

Updated on May 18, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

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
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
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

When to use

2,097 Routines
39% use in am
61% use in pm
85% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
197 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

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

3.8 /5
from 18 ratings
Drying (9) Great Value (8) Works Well (6)
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
utr1cular1a's avatar

utr1cular1a

2 years 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

Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 ingredients

4.8 /5
from 5 ratings
Light (2) Light Scent (2) Works Well (2)
AllyF.'s avatar

AllyF.

1 year ago
Review

I've tried a numerous amount of cleansers for my acne prone skin, but I always come back to this one! If you have acne prone skin that reacts well to salicylic acid - you should definitely give Vichy a try!

#great value
#light scent
#works well
SanaAttar_461's avatar

SanaAttar_461

3 years ago
Review

This cleanser is magic
If you have oily acne prone skin, it’s your best friend ... cleaning pores and make it really smooth over 1~2 weeks it reduce acne scares as well