Beauty Briefing Verdict 2026 09 20T212811.818

Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel Review

BeautyBrief™

Brand

Avène

Product

Cleanance Cleansing Gel

Claims check

If you want strong foam for oily skin, Avène reports shine reduction, but those results do not establish permanent sebum control or acne treatment.

Shopper fit

  • Combination
  • Oily
  • Acne-Prone

Formula flags

  • Fragrance
  • Sulfates
  • Added color
  • Isopropyl alcohol appears in official INCI despite alcohol-free label

Shopper preferences

  • Non-Comedogenic

Key ingredients

ZINC COCETH SULPHATEDrives much of the strong foaming and excess-oil removal.
Lauryl BetaineSupports cleansing and foam.
Decyl GlucosideAdds another cleansing pathway.
PEG-7 Glyceryl CocoateAdds some conditioning support around the stronger cleansing base.
Zinc GluconateSupports the oily- and blemish-prone positioning without turning the cleanser into an acne treatment.

Price tier

$$ Mid-Range

Value check

At the Mid-Range tier, you get tested oil-removing foam, but fragrance and an alcohol-label discrepancy complicate sensitive-skin fit.

Where to buy

Amazon

We may earn a commission through these links at no additional cost to you. This does not affect our BeautyBrief.

Bottom line

If your skin is oily and prefers substantial foam, Avène offers a face-and-body cleansing gel. Its INCI lists isopropyl alcohol despite an alcohol-free claim, alongside fragrance and dyes. At the Mid-Range tier, choose it for surface-oil cleansing rather than medical acne treatment.

What is Shopper Fit?

Shopper Fit shows who The Beauty Briefing finds the product is reasonably suited for after reviewing the complete formula or product design, product format, expected performance, directions, tolerability, usability, and available evidence.

Depending on the product category, Shopper Fit may reflect factors such as skin type, hair or scalp characteristics, product needs, routine compatibility, sensitivity, experience level, or practical use considerations.

Shopper Fit is BB's editorial product-fit assessment, not a copy of the brand's marketing. It is not a diagnosis, a guarantee of results or tolerance, or a claim that the product is suitable for everyone.

What are Shopper Preferences?

Shopper Preferences are product attributes The Beauty Briefing has enough evidence to treat as established for the exact product. A brand statement, badge, or retailer claim alone is not enough.

Vegan
BB found sufficient documentation to verify the vegan claim within the documented product scope.
Cruelty-Free
BB found sufficient documentation to verify the cruelty-free claim within the scope of the evidence reviewed.
Non-Comedogenic
BB found sufficient product-specific evidence or documentation to support the non-comedogenic claim. A brand claim by itself does not qualify.
Dermatologist-Tested
BB verified documentation showing the exact product was tested with dermatologist involvement. This does not mean dermatologist-recommended.
Ophthalmologist-Tested
BB verified documentation showing the exact product was tested with ophthalmologist involvement.
Hypoallergenic
BB found sufficient product-specific evidence or documentation to support the hypoallergenic claim. It does not guarantee that no shopper will react.
None Found
BB did not find sufficient evidence to verify any of the controlled Shopper Preferences for the exact product.

Brand marketing tells BB what to investigate. BeautyBrief tells the shopper what BB has established.

What are Formula Flags?

Formula Flags identify characteristics of a product's formula that materially affect shopper fit, tolerability, routine compatibility, or use. A flag does not mean an ingredient is bad or that the product is unsafe. It highlights something worth knowing before you buy.

Fragrance
Added fragrance or parfum that materially affects shopper fit or tolerability.
Essential oils
Essential oils that are relevant to fragrance exposure, sensitivity, or use.
Drying alcohols
Volatile alcohols at a level that materially affects feel, dryness, or tolerability.
Retinoids
Retinoid actives that affect routine compatibility, tolerability, or use.
Exfoliating acids
Exfoliating acids such as AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs at a functionally relevant level.
Comedogenic concerns
Formula characteristics that warrant additional consideration for breakout-prone shoppers.
Sulfates
Sulfate cleansing agents that materially affect cleansing strength, skin or hair feel, or shopper fit.
Silicones
Silicones that materially affect texture, finish, or shopper fit.
Added color
Added colorants that materially affect the finished formula or shopper use.
Other
Another formula characteristic materially affects shopper fit or use.
None identified
No defined Formula Flags materially affect shopper fit or use.

Formula Flags are informational. They are not a list of ingredients everyone should avoid.

If your skin is oily, combination, or acne-prone and you want a stronger foaming cleanser for your face and body, Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel gives you a clear Mid-Range option. You get a formula built around oil and buildup removal, while fragrance, added color, and isopropyl alcohol make it a less comfortable fit if your skin is dry or treatment-stressed.

Beauty Briefing Verdict 2026 09 20T212811.818

What it claims

Avène says Cleanance Cleansing Gel is a soap-free face-and-body cleanser that removes dirt, oil, and impurities without stripping your skin and helps reduce shine. The current U.S. page positions it for oily and blemish-prone skin and identifies it as non-comedogenic.[1]

The brand also reports an immediate shine-reduction result from a 50-subject tolerance and efficacy study with twice-daily use for 28 days.[1]

Claims vs. formula

Zinc coceth sulfate gives you much of the foaming and oil-removal power, while lauryl betaine and decyl glucoside add further cleansing support.

PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate adds some conditioning support around the stronger cleansing base, which matters if you prefer a more thorough foaming wash.

Zinc gluconate and milk-thistle extract fit the oily- and blemish-prone positioning, but you should still think of this as a cosmetic cleanser rather than a medicated acne treatment.

The current page still labels the product alcohol-free while its ingredient list includes isopropyl alcohol. BB follows the stored verified INCI, so the Drying Alcohols flag remains. If you specifically avoid drying alcohols, that conflict matters to your buying decision.

Fragrance and added color also matter if you prefer a more minimal cleanser or your skin is fragrance-reactive.

Ingredients that matter

Zinc coceth sulphate, lauryl betaine and decyl glucoside form the oil-removing surfactant system. PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate adds some conditioning support, while zinc gluconate and milk-thistle extract support the product’s oily-skin marketing.

Avène reports immediate shine reduction and a 50-person, 28-day tolerance and efficacy test. These results do not establish permanent suppression of sebum or that this cleanser treats acne as an OTC medication. Fragrance, colorants and isopropyl alcohol are present in the official INCI.

Decyl Glucoside

Decyl Glucoside

Well-established nonionic cleansing surfactant used mainly in rinse-off formulas. The complete surfactant system determines cleansing strength and tolerability. Ingredient can cause contact allergy in sensitized people.

Read the IngredientBrief
Fragrance

Fragrance

Fragrance is a scent blend added mainly for sensory appeal. Many shoppers tolerate it well, while specific fragrance materials can trigger irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible people.

Read the IngredientBrief

Safety and regulatory context

Avène’s U.S. product page describes the formula as non-comedogenic and “alcohol-free,” but the very same published INCI lists Isopropyl Alcohol.[1] This is a labeling discrepancy rather than evidence of the ingredient’s concentration or of inevitable irritation.

Green 5, Yellow 5 and Fragrance are declared, too. If you avoid isopropyl alcohol or scent ingredients, use the ingredient declaration over general marketing language when evaluating fit.

What to expect in the short term

You get noticeable foam and a cleaner-rinsing finish, especially when excess surface oil or sweat is your main concern.

What to expect over time

You are buying surface-oil and buildup control, not permanent sebum reduction or acne treatment.

At the Mid-Range tier, you get the most value if you want one stronger cleanser for both your face and body.

Who it fits

This makes the most sense if your skin is combination, oily, or acne-prone and you like a more thorough foaming cleanse.

If your skin is dry, peeling, fragrance-reactive, or treatment-stressed, a gentler fragrance-free cleanser is easier to fit into your routine.

Compare before you buy

Choose Avène when stronger oil removal and face-and-body use matter most to you.

Choose a gentler fragrance-free cleanser when comfort around retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or exfoliating acids matters more in your routine.

Final Assessment

If your skin is oily or acne-prone and enjoys stronger foam, Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel provides surface-oil removal and brand-reported shine testing. Its fragrance, dyes and the discrepancy between “alcohol-free” marketing and the INCI may reduce its fit for reactive skin. At the Mid-Range tier, value rests on the face-and-body oil-cleansing format.

Where to buy

Choose a retailer to view current pricing and availability.

Amazon

We may earn a commission through these links at no additional cost to you.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Sources

  1. Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel. Official current U.S. product page, complete ingredient declaration and claims; accessed October 14, 2026.

    Return to citation.