I have contacted Ranbaxy regarding Pernox stating current Pernox madness on ebay, but apparently they are not interested, see the email reply below:

Gunjan Kshetrapal <Gunjan.Kshetrapal@ranbaxy.com> Sep 16, 2014

Dear Long-term Pernox User,

Thank you for contacting Ranbaxy concerning Pernox facial scrub.

Unfortunately, we no longer have a manufacturing plant for Pernox so the product is not available to purchase. However, we truly appreciate your product loyalty.

Currently, we do not have any plans to reintroduce the product into the market. Should things change in the near future, we will be sure to communicate it to our consumers.

In the meantime, you may please speak with your physician or pharmacist to see if another product similar to Pernox might be comparable.

We deeply regret the inconvenience.

Thank you,

Gunjan

i've been using pernox for 20 years and was disappointed when i heard it was discontinued. i suddenly discovered, at work that my hand cleaner was just like pernox. it's called tko hand cleaner. blue colored.and it's very inexpensive.

I also loved Pernox and think it was the only scrub on the market that really worked. Very disappointed when it was taken off the market. Tried other scrubs like the St. Ives Apricot and Alba's scrub too but they really were nothing like Pernox. Then I recently tried Acure's Brightening Facial Scrub. It is almost exactly like Pernox. Not lemony but the scrub is exactly the same. And it's free of all toxic stuff so in a way, it's better than Pernox. Granted, it does not contain the benzoyl peroxide or the sulfur but you can just use a 2.5% bp cream like the Neutrogena one or even Proactive. The thing that really helped my daughter cure her acne was that and taking Pantothenic Acid (which is Vitamin B-5) every day. Good luck!

I have been working with a pharmacy compounder to make a product to substitute for Pernox. It is hard to duplicate to the oil removing quality of Pernox and we are still working on that issue. As for the scrub particles so far there is nothing yet. What I have tried:(ideas taken from sites for natural facial scrubs) baking soda, coffee grounds, nutmeg, apricot seed, corn meal, sea salt, sugar, pumice stone, ground pecan shells(too much tannin)....none of these have been able to duplicate the effects I gained with Pernox. They all can do an okay job for exfoliation but fall short of getting pores cleaned or deep cleaning oily skin. Next on the list will be a combination of fine ground walnut shell and corn kernel meal which looks promising....St. Ives cleansing scrub lists these as ingredients and it is very similar in feel to Pernox except the base vehicle, although having salilac acid, is not a soap base and is more of a cream and does nothing for an oily condition. I will continue to work with my compounding pharmacist for the base to be enough to remove excess oil from the skin and try some other products mentioned on the forum here.

Yu-Be does not come close for a substitute and smells bad. Walgreens Grapefruit Foaming Acne Scrub works well to remove surface oil but does not have the fine grit factor of Pernox (but it is very foaming and smells great).

It looks like Ranbaxy renewed the patent and trademark in 2011 so there is not much hope that the patent will run out soon. From the other discussion I have seen out here it does not look hopeful that they would sell the patent formula either. As far as the microbeads used in facial scrubs, looks like that is a dead horse issue. I am not sure if it is all true or not that the microbeads are in the water and in the fish....like I should worry about microbeads instead of mercury, but the environmentalists have pleaded their case and won. Manufactures are removing in phases from all facial products. Now if they would just stop driving their SUVs to their Sierra Club meetings........I mean the human foot print on this earth is a tricky subject. We would have to revert back to early 19th century pre Civil War era to drive down our impact on the environment. I am not sure that horse waste in the streets was such a healthy thing either. We are here...we have an impact. Even electric cars have an impact because of the materials used to make the batteries. To bring this full circle back to Pernox.....we are all suffering because it was the perfect solution to our problem and now it is gone and who is to say how it would have to be changed if it were brought back under new environmental regulations. I want it back but must look for another solution. I will check out here from time to time to see if anything new come forward.

I have been searching for something that will replace Pernox for over a year.

To date, the only think I have found is Yu Be Skin Polish. I do not like the smell BUT

it is the best one I have found. I do not have acne any longer but still have very large

pores in my nose, which is why I really need the Pernox.

I have recently been reading updates and these two have been recommended:

Clearasil Ultra Rapid Acne Scrub and Acure's Brightening Facial Scrub.

It is said that these are "almost exactly like Pernox", although I have not tried them.

Has anyone else used Clearasil or Acure brands listed above?

I keep following this link and reading the updates.

UPDATE

I have been searching for something that will replace Pernox for over a year.

To date, the only think I have found is Yu Be Skin Polish. I do not like the smell BUT

it is the best one I have found. I do not have acne any longer but still have very large

pores in my nose, which is why I really need the Pernox.

I have recently been reading updates and these two have been recommended:

Clearasil Ultra Rapid Acne Scrub and Acure's Brightening Facial Scrub.

It is said that these are "almost exactly like Pernox", although I have not tried them.

Also, there is a Neutrogena BLACKHEAD Eliminating Daily Scrub, which might be good for

someone who is very concerned about pores around the nose--which is my big problem.

Has anyone else used Clearasil or Acure brands listed above?

I keep following this link and reading the updates.

Hi all,

I to have been looking for a replacement for our beloved Pernox. Recently I've found eclos Instant Radiance Facial Scrub. It has Plant Stem Cells and a warming action to it. It's quite different but effective for those of you out there that want to try something else new. Look it up and see what you think!

I too am one of the devoted Pernox users (since early 70's); starting buying bottles 6-12 at a time when it started getting hard to find - even at over $30 a bottle!!;am dismayed at its being taken off the market; but I think I have found a GREAT SOLUTION!!! thanks to the post written by DRIVESMAN. Aluminum Oxide crystals - the 90 Grit!! As he/she posted, don't waste your time on the 120 grit; feels like baking soda. Add it to your favorite cleanser and you will get a perfect match for the scrubbiness quality of Pernox.

FYI, I also tried:
1. Clearasil product listed in this post - grit is too big and too sparse; leaves a greasy feeling on your face. Yuk!
2. Yu Be - again, grit is too big and sparse but I did like the smell and the clean feeling once rinsed. NOTE - I've added the 90 GritAluminum Oxide Crystals to it and it then becomes a good option. (Doing this to use up the tube.)
3. Acure - same as Yu Be. Grit is a little smaller, but not perfect. Adding the90 GritAluminum Oxide Crystals to it also....
4. I still (luckily) have a full bottle of Pernox so I did a cheek by cheek comparison. Pernox on one side and90 GritAluminum Oxide Crystals mixed in my Cetaphyl on the other. Perfect match!

The key here is the90 GritAluminum Oxide Crystals. I can't attest to matching the acne fighting ingredients of Pernox, I think that is each individual's personal journey. But, the scrubbiness and clean feeling of Pernox is what I've always loved. I'm 59 and NOBODY ever guesses my age; took me a while to attribute it to Pernox. Probably in my 40's.

Get your90 GritAluminum Oxide Crystals online from Ebay. I just reordered a 12 oz. jar for $25.99, free shipping (after first purchasing the smallest sized jars of the 120 grit and 90 grit to compare). That's how happy I am with the90 GritAluminum Oxide Crystals. I have them in a salt shaker sitting on the frame of my shower. I just add some to whatever cleanser and voila!!!! Miracle Pernox. Aluminum Oxide Crystals don't dissolve in water so the humidity of the shower has not affected their quality at all. My new 12 oz. supply I'm guessing should last easily a year, maybe longer. You only need about a dime size amount.

The other product DRIVESMAN listed is the PersaGel. Don't know why in all my years I had never heard of this product but now I do. THANK YOU DRIVESMAN for your great post. This stuff is awesome; a little goes a long way to immediately dry up a breakout.

Hope this helps someone. Again, a HUGE THANK YOU TO DRIVESMAN. I never thought I could be so happy with a replacement for my beloved Pernox but I am. And even better - the replacement is a fraction of what I used to pay for Pernox.

Thanks to everyone for their posts and research! Good luck!

Well, I just got an email -- maybe you got it, too. My recent response was that I was going a little insane when loosing my Pernox.
It was not for general acne but mostly for my nose -- large pores in my nose which Pernox was perfect for fixing better than any
other scrub. I have used it for over 40 years. -- The only thing that I could find that was close, but not like Pernox, was Yu-Be.

I just received an email (not sure why, maybe you have, too, for people that are searching for a replacement of Pernox).
The message said--tr 90 grit aluminum oxide crystals--you can purchase from ebay. I email (I hope you could view the whole
message) sounded realistic and not cheating. If you you did not receive it and would like for me to forward it to you let me know.
I sounded good enough to me to try it.

I, too, am a decades long user and was shocked to see Pernox no longer exists. What I learned many years ago was that my skin responds to that fine scrub, but the sulphur in it makes all the difference. Sulphur naturally combats bacteria and fungus. My oily skin is a magnet for these and keeping it clean, exfoliated and medicated with sulphur is key. Without the perfect combination of these in Pernox I am now ordering the Yu Be akin polisher plus a sulphur soap bar. I'm not happy but at least hopeful for it to work. I'll be calling the manufacturer myself too!

Update in 2016
I purchased Microdermabrasion Aluminum Oxide Crystals -- 99.6% Pure, 12 oz., 90 Grit
Contact: [Edited link out]
Since Pernox is no longer available, I needed something close to use on my oily nose.
I use other cleanser for my face but my nose is so oily, I need more help for it, and this
Microdermabrasion Aluminum Oxide Crystals really works on my nose. My nose feels so
clean after I use this(like when I used Pernox). -- I started out using Yu Be which is good
but I mix that with the MAOC for my nose.

Hey yall!
Someone was just asking me about this scrub the other day, and I was starting to look into it which brought me to this thread. I'm sorry it's being dicontinued, BUT!! have you heard of or tried Rodan+Fields? (it's by the same derms who created Proactiv) I had a friend use RF's acne formula and it cleared her skin up beautifully and previously, only accutane had worked for her! They have other scrubs and treat other problems like aging, sun spots, oily skin, and lots of others too! Let me know if you want more info! I really do hope you find a good scrub that works for you and your budget again! :-\

This is an update to my post of October 2015.  I have been using the Aluminum Oxide 90 grit crystals since October 2015.

I wanted to update everyone on my supplier.  Try Panadyne.com    They sell the same quality AOC as the Ebay supplier at a FRACTION of the cost.  Their website does not specifically list the 90 grit under their skincare section, but they do have it - you just make a note in your purchase that you want that grit (or call them like I did).  The Ebay supplier's prices have gone up quite a bit and he no longer provides free shipping.  Based on his price today, I bought 5 POUNDS!!!!!! from Panadyne for less than his 16 oz. price!  I know 5 pounds seems like a lot, but I use approximately 12-16 oz. per year, and since the Panadyne shipping cost is the same for 1 pound vs. 5 pounds, well you do the math   I paid a total of $34.61 for the 5 pounds which breaks down to $6.92 per year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What did we spend for Pernox in those last years as it became harder and harder to find?????

My other update, I saw the post by Janielics and now use a bar of sulphur soap with my AOC.  Just lather up in my hand, sprinkle on the AOC and I have my face wash.  Love it.  The sulphur soap leaves your face squeeky clean.  I buy my sulphur soap at Walmart for $2.67/bar.  ( Grisi Sulfur Soap with Lanolin For Acne Treatment, 4.4 OZ )

Again, many thanks to all who have taken the time to add to this forum.  I would never have found a happy solution to my Pernox withdrawal without your help!!

Hi all; I also have been really upset about "Pernox" being discontinued. I just wanted to share that I recently discovered an amazing product that seems to be an acceptable replacement. It is made by "Biore" and it is called "Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub"...It works great! It is available at most Retail Pharmacies. Good luck everyone!

I was a pernox user for 30 years and still grieving the loss. Since discontinued, I've tried suggested products and concocted a few, too. Best so far is sulfur soap blended with coconut oil and very fine bakers sugar. Still, nothing gives the feeling or protection we got from Pernox.
I've heard Ionax is the same as Pernox. It is unavailable in USA, but you can buy it in Mexico and Canada. Has anyone tried this?

Hi all, Im in the same boat as everyone. Ive tried so many products and they just make my acne worse. Recently, however, I found a product that helps me stay on top of my breakouts and diminishes my pores, particularly on my nose, quite well. This product is sold as a Mens product but I dont know what the difference would be. Its mostly natural ingredients. They probably have a Womens line but Im not sure.

I start off with St Ives scrub just to get the oil off. Then I use Organic Male 4 (OM4) Step 1 (for oily skin). Its more like a clay scrub. Sometimes I will use St Ives again after Ive let the OM4 sit and mix the two together on my face. The OM4 keeps me from breaking out and shrinks my pores dramatically, as I said, but it doesnt leave my skin squeaky clean like Pernox did nor does it get rid of current breakouts with one of two washes. It is, however, the best facial wash Ive found since Pernox was discountinued.

Also, I just ordered Lonax scrub which someone mentioned was a Pernox competitor. No issues getting it into the US but its definitely not a US product as it uses a comma where we would use a period for weight. I will update here if this product works better by itself or even in conjunction with OM4.

Just wanted to share in case this helps anyone else.

I finally received the Ionaxscrub. Its lemony scent, yellow color,and fine but aggressivegrain is just like Pernox. I will use it this week and update. So far, Im excited! Ive never found anything this similar. Now hopefully it works similarly...

Not sure if anyone still checks this thread but Ionax has proven to be a close replacement! It cleared me up instantly and I havent had a break out since. Its very similar to Pernox just not as good. If Pernox was an A+ Id give this a solid B+ as far as replacement. Id give it an A for a face wash compared to all the products Ive tried through the years, including the Biore Baking Soda wash which just didnt do it for me. Hope this helps.

It has to be ordered from abroad and clear customs. I ordered a few cases and emptied out one website. i dont want to lose this product too and it was easier to order that way. If you are on the fence, I could part with 1 tube so you can try it. Otherwise, best of luck to everyone and I hope everyone finds a solution as solid as the one Ive found!

Hi all, this will be my last post and I wanted to provide an update for anyone who had all the issues I had when Pernox was discontinued and the costly (financial and dermatological) search for a replacement.

I have been using Ionax for about a month know and its cleared me up, prevented breakouts, and if I do get a blemish from sweating or something, it tends to get rid of it after the next shower.

Its not a product that works instead of Pernox but rather a very close product to Pernox itself. What I mean is Ive found products that work ok in the past but this is a product that mimics Pernox and works well (its lemony, its gritty, etc).

The only downside side is the size of the container and the length of shipping. At 6g, it tends to go fast and with the need to clear customs, it can take awhile to arrive. Have a backup on hand and it should resolve any logistical issues. I ordered cases just to be cautious snebddsssgeyqrgtu

Best of luck everyone. Hope this product helps you as much as it did for me!

The answer asto why we cannot buy Pernox is because Obama banned the use of microbeads. See Forbes.com article on this topic here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carmendrahl/2016/01/09/what-you-need-to-know-about-microbeads-the-banned-bath-product-ingredients/#6a1a3f3b7a33

Thank you FeddyFlapJack --

You suggested getting Ionax (ionax), which I hadto order from out of the US. I ordered it and you are right!!

It is the most similar thing I have used that matches Pernox. When they stopped making Pernox some years ago, I have been trying to find something like it. No scrub I found in the US matched Pernox. I bought IONAX and I love it!!! It does not have all the same ingredients but it has a scrub that is so similar. If you liked Pernox, you will like Ionax.

You have to order it from out of the US and it has to go thru Customs so it might take a while. All you Pernox lovers, try it, you will like it.

Hello Fellow Pernox Troopers! It is almost 2020, and I am 62, and still searching for a Pernox replacement. Holy COW! It kept my skin beautiful for years (1986 till discontinuation!), and people still say Ilook 15 years younger -- but these days I break out and it is just plain embarrassing, plus it makes my skin hurt and itch.

I opened tabs to look at everyone's suggestions.

This is what I have been using, as my Pernox substitute -- and I have to use them one after the other in the same face washing session to make them work, and it is still not enough. I always use the Freeman and Neutrogena, and the others occasionally.

1. Clinique Exfoliating Scrub (but must be followed by Freeman, as it doesn't rinse completely, but is a good pumice type action). (Buy when they have a bonus).

2. "Freeman Beauty Black Sugar & Charcoal face and body scrub" (they call it a scrub and mask, but for us, it is no mask). Always rinses clean! -- at Walmart, Amazon, Sally Beauty

Someone mentioned ECLOS scrub, which was also made by Freeman Beauty, but I think it's discontinued?

3. "Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser" with salicylic acid -- this exact name -- for a nice clean.

4. "Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser, Sensitive Skin" for around the eyes, or for an extra wash.

ALSO I use a very nice oil-free moisturizer from Lancome (which I've been using longer than Pernox), which does NOT make you break out, and makes skin beautiful and soft:

5. MOISTURIZER: Lancome Absolue Bx Oil-Free Moisturizing Lotion (with 25 SPF sunscreen) in a tall bottle, but it is very pricey at $165 but lasts 6-9 months. (buy when they have a bonus).

6. BEST CLAY MASK -- Lancome Masque Pure Empreinte -- white clay mask, cleans nicely, skin feels good, doesn't over dry, doesn't have added oils, just NICE. Rinses clean and your pores are noticeably clean and smaller. (buy when they have a bonus).

Also, Avon has two products that are helpful but not perfect:

7. AvonClearskinProfessional Daily Correcting Lotion with salicylic acid; and

8. AvonClearskinProfessional Daily Scrub with salicylic acid, zinc, and clay and gycolic acid. Sometimes I leave it on like a mask, and then wet my face to turn it into a scrub, then rinse. But you have to wash with your cleanser after, as it leaves clay residue.

That being said -- I still need the Pernox-type scrub! Looking for the IONAX online but can't find it yet. What company do you buy it through (no links allowed here) ?

Never tried Yube as it seemed greasy, but ordering Acure.

I usually keep some Proactiv Treatment (original) on hand, but ran out, and now have to get some at the Mall kiosk.

Does anyone have luck with Retin A or Differin Gel ? I am afraid to use them, as I am sure they will make me break out more.

Happy Skin everyone! Hope to hear more.

Hello again Pernox Friends: Okay, I found that this IONAX scrub which some of you have mentioned, is made under a brand name BENZOCARE, and Benzocare is made by a company called Galderma.

If you go to their website, and look at Our Brands, Galderma makes:

ProActiv, Benzocare, and Differin, for acne.

They also make Cetaphil, but I found that leaves a residue and makes me break out.

They also make a bunch of other skin care Rx for what I think might be rosacea and exzema type issues.

Anyway, once I saw all this on their website, I just felt like saying EUREKA!

Now, just to find the IONAX.

Happy Skin everyone!

Hello Pernox friends!

Question to those of you who are using IONAX, please:

Are these two the same products, or different? Has IONAX been discontinued and replaced by the other one?

Both made by GelDarma.

BENZACARE IONAXPeeling Scrub Cleanser

and/or

BENZACARE Anti Blackheads Exfoliating Gel.

?? Thank you!!