Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel for dry skin
Avene Thermal Spring Water Avene Aqua
Zinc Coceth Sulfate
Lauryl Betaine
Decyl Glucoside
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Caution
- CautionDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
A poor match for dry skin; the cleansers alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate cleansing for oily and acne-prone skin due to zinc gluconate helping to purify and decongest pores, but is unsuitable for your dry skin because zinc coceth sulphate and lauryl betaine can strip natural oils.
- While it provides general cleansing benefits, the lack of hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid means it does not address your dry or flaky skin concerns.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin clean. Start using it daily right away since your skin is not sensitive.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow with your toner and moisturizer afterwards.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Apply this cleanser on slightly damp skin for a comfortable and refreshing wash. This helps maintain your skin's natural moisture while cleansing away dirt.
- Avoid getting the cleanser directly into your eyes to prevent any irritation. Do a simple patch test before your first use to ensure your skin likes it.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 6.5k+ reviewsThis gel cleanser is widely praised by users with oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin for its ability to deeply cleanse and regulate sebum without disrupting the skin barrier. While the majority report clearer, matte skin, a minority of users with drier skin types found it too stripping or experienced initial purging. This summary is based on a very large amount of data and should definitely be taken into account.
Highlights
Effective oil control Mostly Mentioned
- “Keeps me matte for hours”
- “Drastically reduced my oiliness”
- “Best face wash for greasy skin”
- “Controls sebum perfectly.”
Gentle deep clean Often Mentioned
- “Squeaky clean but soft”
- “Removes makeup easily”
- “Gentle on my sensitive skin”
- “Doesn't strip my barrier.”
Helps clear acne Often Mentioned
- “Cleared my cystic acne”
- “Keeps pimples at bay”
- “My skin is finally clear”
- “Great for hormonal breakouts.”
High value Sometimes Noted
- “Bottle lasts for months”
- “A little goes a long way”
- “Worth the price”
- “One drop is enough.”
Refreshing feel Sometimes Noted
- “Feels so refreshing”
- “Love the clean smell”
- “Leaves face feeling fresh”
- “Cooling effect is nice.”
Drying for some Sometimes Noted
- “Left my face tight”
- “Too drying for winter”
- “Caused dry patches”
- “Stripped my skin.”
Initial breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Broke me out initially”
- “Caused tiny bumps”
- “Skin got worse before better”
- “Gave me cystic spots.”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Cap leaks in bag”
- “Lid is hard to close”
- “Dispenses too much product”
- “Messy bottle design.”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “Scent is too strong”
- “Smells like perfume”
- “Fragrance irritated my nose”
- “Wish it was unscented.”
Sources: lovi.care, aveneusa.com, dermstore.com, ulta.com, lovelyskin.com, lookfantastic.ie, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel for dry skin?
Lovi advises caution because its cleansing ingredients can strip natural oils from dry skin and it lacks hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. A cleanser for dry skin needs hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients such as essential ceramides, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide, and soothing moisturizers.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin?
Zinc coceth sulphate and lauryl betaine make this cleanser a poor fit because they can strip natural oils from dry skin. A cleanser for dry skin needs hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like essential ceramides, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or ceramide-3 to maintain moisture and protect the skin barrier.
What does Avene Thermal Spring Water do for dry skin?
Avène Thermal Spring Water helps calm and soothe dry skin while improving overall skin comfort and reducing stinging. It is unlikely to alter skin thickness or elasticity, so dry skin typically needs a richer cream or lotion alongside it to lock in moisture.
The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2024Experimental Dermatology, 2024
What does Zinc Coceth Sulfate do for dry skin?
Zinc Coceth Sulfate is a cleansing ingredient that washes away impurities while potentially stripping natural oils, which can make dry skin feel tighter and more irritated. Cleansers used on dry skin need to feature gentle surfactants that limit protein and lipid loss, paired with added moisturizing agents to keep the skin barrier protected.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2004International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2013
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser fits into morning and evening routines for dry skin, though it is a poor match because its ingredients can strip natural oils and lack hydrating benefits. Dry skin needs gentle cleansers with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid to keep skin soft and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because its cleansing ingredients may strip natural oils and lack hydrating agents. A cleanser for dry skin needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid to protect the skin barrier while using retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because its strong cleansing ingredients can strip natural oils and lack hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Dry skin needs a very gentle, mild cleanser that preserves natural moisture and is paired with a good moisturizer.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry skin, as its ingredients are designed to purify and clear congestion rather than block pores. However, because it lacks hydrating ingredients and contains cleansers that can strip natural oils, a cleanser for dry skin needs nourishing oils and moisturizers like glycerin or hyaluronic acid to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is unlikely to suit the very thin skin around your eyes because its strong cleansing ingredients may strip natural oils and cause irritation. For cleansing your body and face when you have dry skin, a product of this type needs gentle cleansers combined with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (parfum) and drying alcohol (isopropyl alcohol).
What the research says
Balneotherapy with thermal water altered specific skin microbiota at genus and species levels in healthy female volunteers compared to tap water, which produced no significant microbiome changes.
Life, 2023Malaysian thermal spring water as an adjunct to standard acne therapy improved skin hydration, reduced dryness and stinging, enhanced overall tolerability, and improved the acne disability index in patients with mild to moderate acne.
The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2024A 2% Sphingomonas xenophaga ferment extract cream applied twice daily for 4 weeks significantly decreased facial vascular disorder scores compared to vehicle in 86 Caucasian female subjects, alongside dose-dependent inhibition of pre-kallikrein activity in vitro.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Silybum marianum flower extract increased human hair follicle dermal papilla cell proliferation and VEGF production while suppressing cellular senescence, and in a clinical study using hair shampoo, it significantly increased hair density and total hair count at 16 and 24 weeks compared with a placebo group.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 0.5% silymarin-loaded antioxidant serum applied twice daily significantly reduced clinical acne severity, lesion counts, and melanin pigmentation in 22 Korean acne patients over 4 weeks without associated adverse events.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Topical silymarin cream 1.4% showed comparable results to salicylic acid 30% peels in reducing acne severity in 30 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 2024
Ingredients
Avene Thermal Spring Water Avene Aqua Avene Aqua, Water, Zinc Coceth Sulphate, Lauryl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Parfum, Green 5 Ci 61570, Isopropyl Alcohol, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Peg-6, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Yellow 5 Ci 19140, Zinc Gluconate
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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