PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide
A cheap, creamy benzoyl peroxide wash; plan on white towels and a moisturizer.
The short version
- People who want a benzoyl peroxide wash with a creamy texture
- Use on face plus chest or back in the shower
- Shoppers looking for a low cost over the counter option
- You have very sensitive skin (the label says do not use)
- You cannot switch to white towels and pillowcases
- You want a rich foaming lather
What owners like
- Less drying than the 10% foaming version
- Easy to fit into a shower routine for face and body
- Low price for a benzoyl peroxide wash
Common complaints
- Bleaches towels, pillowcases and clothing
- Little lather, which feels odd to foam cleanser users
- Some dryness, so a moisturizer is usually needed
Based on PanOxyl's product page, the DailyMed drug label, and DermApproved's product review.
Research scores
Scored from the maker's specs and what owners report. Drew's own notes and photos will refine these.
Ownership
- Sep 2024
First bought.
Drew's hands-on notes for this product are on the way. Long-term updates will be added to this timeline.
What it does
An over the counter cream cleanser for face, chest and back with 4% benzoyl peroxide, labeled as an acne medication.
- Creamy, low lather texture rather than a foam
- Maker says it is pH balanced and includes humectants and emollients to counter dryness
- Fragrance free and sulfate free, per DermApproved
- Lower strength sibling of PanOxyl's 10% foaming wash
A low cost benzoyl peroxide wash for people who find foaming washes too drying and want a creamier texture. The main trade-offs are that it bleaches towels, pillowcases and hair it touches, it barely lathers, and dryness can still happen.
How it compares
Specs
- Active ingredient
- Benzoyl peroxide 4%
- Label use
- For the treatment of acne
- Sizes
- 6 oz (170 g) and 3 oz (85 g) tubes
- Use on
- Face, chest and back, per the maker
- Directions
- Massage in for 1 to 2 minutes, rinse; start once daily
- Labeler
- Crown Laboratories
Worth knowing
- Label: do not use if you have very sensitive skin or are sensitive to benzoyl peroxide.
- Label: avoid contact with eyes, lips and mouth, and with hair and dyed fabrics, which may be bleached.
- Label: avoid unnecessary sun exposure and use a sunscreen.
- Label: irritation and dryness are more likely when used with another topical acne medication; stop use and ask a doctor if irritation becomes severe.
- Label: if pregnant or breast feeding, ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children.
Questions
Does PanOxyl creamy wash bleach towels?
Yes. The label warns that it may bleach hair and dyed fabrics, so white towels and pillowcases are the usual workaround.
How long should PanOxyl stay on the skin?
The directions say to massage it in for 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
How often can PanOxyl creamy wash be used?
The label says start once daily and increase gradually to two or three times a day if needed, cutting back if dryness occurs.
What is the difference between PanOxyl 4% and 10%?
The 4% is a creamy wash; the 10% is a foaming wash with a higher benzoyl peroxide level.
Sources
- PanOxyl: Acne Creamy Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 4%
- DailyMed: PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash label
- DermApproved: PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash 4% Benzoyl Peroxide
Researched 2026-10-01. We bought this product; our page is built from the maker's details and what owners report across reviews and forums. We never copy Amazon customer reviews.