PanOxyl

PanOxyl 2% Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant.

Masks & Peels

About this product

A liquid exfoliant containing 2% salicylic acid designed to address acne and refine skin texture.

Full ingredients

Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Purified Water, Sodium Benzoate, Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate, Sorbic Acid, Spirulina Platensis (Blue Algae) Extract, Salicylic Acid (2%)

Guru Score

85%

Yay

4 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

The 2% salicylic acid strength here is the highest you can get over the counter, and multiple dermatologists and skincare experts praise how well it performs compared to far pricier alternatives like Paula's Choice. It's particularly effective for acne bumps and delivers strong results at a fraction of the cost, making it a smart choice for anyone wanting potent acne treatment on a budget.

Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take January 2026

What they liked

Affordable for 2% salicylic acid
Maximum OTC strength BHA
Gentle enough for regular use

What they flagged

Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

Best for

Acne-prone skin

Type

Masks & PeelsLiquid

Key actives

Salicylic acid (BHA)

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

Clogged or visible pores2 experts

“It gets down into the pore and the oil gland where it can help break up that debris and unclog the pore.”

The Budget Dermatologist, watch at 2:35

Breakouts and acne1 expert

“So this is going to be the most effective type of acid that I recommend for acne routines.”

The Budget Dermatologist, watch at 2:35

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

✓Yay

"We've been recommending it to patients for years. I have recommended in numerous videos here and many other derms do as well. And it is a drugstore acne brand, right? Meaning you go into the drugstore, digital retailers carry it as well. And they now have a liquid salicylic acid leave on product very similar to the Paula's Choice one. Poxyl is $10.97 for the same 4 oz size. [...] Both brands are reputable. Both brands create really effective, well-formulated, logical products."

The Budget Dermatologist

724k subs

✓Yay

"It is very affordable and it contains 2% salicylic acid which is the highest percentage you can get over the counter. This is a leave on solution that you kind of would use almost like a toner in your routine. The way this works is that salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid, it's oil soluble. It gets down into the pore and the oil gland where it can help break up that debris and unclog the pore. So this is going to be the most effective type of acid that I recommend for acne routines."

No BS Beauty

89k subs

✓Yay

"I gave it to my friend she was complaining about blackheads on her nose and chin so I gave it to her to use. So I don't have it here but I have used it, it's very nice, and that one is $12.50 for 4 oz."

Dr. Shereene Idriss

1.73M subs

✓Yay

"This one has green tea, this one has spirulina. Very, very, very similar for salicylic acid. This probably does the job, but people love this. I love both. I prefer the directions of the PanOxyl. PanOxyl says start with application once daily and increase slowly. They also make sure to say always finish with SPF 30 after using this product. I don't think you should use this twice a day. You can use it once a day at night if you're somebody especially who's very oily."

Frequently asked.

What is PanOxyl 2% Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant?

A liquid exfoliant containing 2% salicylic acid designed to address acne and refine skin texture.

Is PanOxyl 2% Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant worth it?

Yes. All 4 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 85%.

What is PanOxyl 2% Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant's Guru Score?

PanOxyl 2% Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant holds a Guru Score of 85%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is PanOxyl 2% Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant best for?

PanOxyl 2% Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant is generally suited to acne-prone skin.

What is PanOxyl 2% Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant good for, according to the experts?

In their reviews, experts say PanOxyl 2% Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant is good for clogged or visible pores (2 experts) and breakouts and acne (1 expert).

Is PanOxyl 2% Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant good for clogged or visible pores?

2 experts who reviewed PanOxyl 2% Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant say it is. The Budget Dermatologist put it this way: “It gets down into the pore and the oil gland where it can help break up that debris and unclog the pore.”