These Two Under-$20 PanOxyl Products Helped Clear My Body Acne

(Alice Prendergast)

I’m in my thirties, and by some cruel twist of fate, I’ve started dealing with body acne. Now, I firmly believe that by the time you start getting wrinkles, the universe should do you a solid and get rid of the zits too — but I digress. I’ve narrowed down the culprit, and unfortunately, it’s pretty unavoidable: post-workout sweat clogging the pores on my back, combined with the uptick in heat and humidity. So, I had to find a way to combat it.

But with so many acne products on the market, it can be hard to figure out what actually works. While I’m a fan of Rael’s pimple patches for the occasional spot treatment, I don’t want to cover my back in them — that’s both expensive and uncomfortable. Instead, I was in the market for washes and sprays that target clogged pores rather than hormonal breakouts. I wanted something budget-friendly, easy to apply, and that didn’t add extra time or effort to my routine.

When I started reading up on PanOxyl, I found a lot of what I was looking for and thought the products could be a solid option. The packaging isn’t as sleek and sexy as the gorgeous body washes and lotions from brands like L’Occitane and Salt & Stone, but they definitely work wonders.

My review of PanOxyl’s acne-fighting products

Let’s start with the facts and figures. The PanOxyl 4% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Wash comes in a plastic squeeze tube for easy application in the shower. It contains 85 grams (roughly 85 mL) of product and retails for $11.19. Compare that to a luxury alternative like Kiehl’s Gently Effective Acne-Treating Cleansing Paste, which comes in a 4.2-ounce (125 mL) tube and costs $40.00. That works out to roughly 13¢ per mL for PanOxyl versus 32¢ per mL for the Kiehl’s cleanser — a significant difference in favour of the budget-friendly option.

The Acne Banishing Body Spray with 2% Salicylic Acid tells a similar story. It comes in a metal spray can, much like a hairspray bottle, and contains 170 grams (roughly 170 mL) of product for just under $20. A comparable luxury option is the First Aid Beauty Body Acne Clearing Mist, which also contains 2% salicylic acid and is a product I’ve tried and enjoyed. However, it costs a much steeper $43.00 for just 88.77 mL, and I find it’s more difficult to apply to hard-to-reach areas like the back.

Now let’s move on to the hero ingredients and formulation. This dynamic duo gets its acne-fighting power from two well-known, well-loved ingredients: benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide is highly effective at treating inflamed pimples and cystic breakouts by targeting the acne-causing bacteria on the skin, while salicylic acid gets deep inside the pore to clear buildup and excess oil rather than just treating the skin’s surface. The spray also contains niacinamide and vitamin C to help brighten the look of skin, along with witch hazel and aloe to help soothe irritation.

I use the cleanser exclusively on my back and chest, as I’m not currently dealing with breakouts on my face. The texture is impressively creamy for an acne wash and glides on with ease. I lather it up, let it sit for about a minute, then rinse it off before continuing with the rest of my shower routine. When I step out of the shower, I mist my back and chest with the spray almost immediately. The 360-degree spray nozzle means I don’t have to enlist my partner’s help to reach tricky spots, like the middle of my back. I’ll also apply it after a workout if I can’t shower right away.

I’ve tried both products on their own, and they’re definitely effective, but if you’re struggling with inflamed, cystic acne, I’ve found using them together delivers the best results.

There are only two things I don’t love about these products, and neither is a dealbreaker. First is the scent of the spray. It’s definitely chemical-forward. That said, I take that as a sign it’s doing its job, and the smell doesn’t linger. Once I put on my body lotion, it’s a thing of the past. The second is the packaging. It’s not the prettiest. If you like displaying your skincare products as part of your bathroom decor, these probably won’t be up to your standards. In that case, just keep them in a cupboard and pull them out when you need them. Easy.

My verdict: Are PanOxyl’s acne-fighting products worth the hype?

If you’re looking for pure, unadulterated zit-fighting power that actually works, my answer is 100% yes. These products helped clear up my body acne quickly and effectively, and they also helped me avoid the scars that came from picking at blemishes. They definitely aren’t the most aesthetic products on the shelf, and they won’t leave you smelling like a tropical vacation or a bakery, but they do exactly what they’re supposed to do — and they do it well. If you’re struggling with body acne, I highly recommend giving them a try.

What are reviewers saying about PanOxyl’s acne-fighting products?

These are tried-and-true acne-fighting products with the reviews and sales to back them up. The PanOxyl 4% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Wash has an average rating of 4.4 stars and has sold more than 20,000 units on Amazon Canada this month. Many reviewers say they’ll continue repurchasing it for its zit-banishing powers. The Acne Banishing Body Spray with 2% Salicylic Acid is another standout, earning an average rating of 4.4 stars. Reviewers praise it for its ease of use and call it a game-changer for body acne — and I have to agree.