Avène

Avène Cleanance Cleanser.

Cleansers

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About this product

A gentle gel cleanser designed for acne-prone and oily skin, formulated with 2% salicylic acid, lactobacillus ferment lysate, and Avène thermal spring water.

Full ingredients

Salicylic Acid (2.0%), Water (Aqua), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Betaine, Glyceryl Laurate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Acrylates Copolymer

Guru Score

67%

Mixed

3 experts · Moderate agreement

3Gurus

1Yay

1Mixed

1Nay

What they liked

Gentle yet effective oil control
Supports skin microbiome
Suits sensitive, acne-prone skin

What they flagged

Pricey compared to Vanicream or CeraVe

What the gurus are saying

This cleanser earns praise for controlling oil while staying gentle enough for sensitive, acne-prone skin. It pairs salicylic acid with skin-soothing ingredients and microbiome support, making it a well-formulated option that won't strip. However, the price gives some experts pause, they suggest saving your budget for treatment products rather than splurging on cleansers, since effective alternatives like CeraVe cost less.

Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take July 2026

Best for

Oily skin Acne-prone skin

Type

CleansersGel

Key actives

Salicylic acid (BHA)

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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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. Aleksandra Brown

150k subs

~Yay

"This is an amazing product, really gentle, a well-formulated option, with 2% salicylic acid, lactobacillus ferment lysate to support the skin microbiome, and Avène thermal spring water for its well-documented soothing properties, together giving you the perfect cleanser. It will help control oil without stripping your skin, and it's also appropriate for sensitive, acne-prone skin that can't tolerate more aggressive formats."

All 2 takes from Dr. Aleksandra Brown

How to Shrink Large Pores: Dermatologist-Recommended Tips & Treatments | Dr. Aleksandra Brown

"A great product recommendation in this category is Avène Cleanance Cleanser. It provides a gentle yet effective cleanse to keep oil control at bay, keeping pores clean and minimized. It also helps minimize triggers for oil excess production and keeps your skin barrier intact. The key ingredient here is 2% salicylic acid, it unclogs pores by exfoliating deep within the pores and preventing further buildup."

Salicylic Acid vs Benzoyl Peroxide: Which One Do You Actually Need?

No BS Beauty

89k subs

~Mixed

"Avene Cleansing For Moderate Blemishes Cream. That one I'll probably just give to a friend."

The Budget Dermatologist

724k subs

~Nay

"This line also contains two cleansers which are fine but for the price I prefer more affordable options like Vanicream or CeraVe. I do not think that you should spend your budget on cleansers in your routine. Save it for the Cleanance products, so skip these two."

Frequently asked.

What is Avène Cleanance Cleanser?

A gentle gel cleanser designed for acne-prone and oily skin, formulated with 2% salicylic acid, lactobacillus ferment lysate, and Avène thermal spring water.

Is Avène Cleanance Cleanser worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 67%.

What is Avène Cleanance Cleanser's Guru Score?

Avène Cleanance Cleanser holds a Guru Score of 67%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.