Cleanance Cleansing Gel — Reddit Reviews
by Avene
Updated November 10, 2026
Zinc cleanser Redditors use for oily, acne-prone skin; studies remain inconclusive on zinc.
What the community says
A foaming gel cleanser with zinc gluconate that Redditors use in simple routines, especially combination or previously oily skin. Research on zinc for acne is mixed, and tretinoin users report tightness, dryness, and stripping.
What this means for you
What people love
- Acne-routine cleanser with zinc gluconate
- Soap-free and easy to keep in simple routines
Watch out for
Product details
Where to buy
What the science says
Zinc is not yet proven to help acne, since its 16 studies gave split results and the grade is not proven yet 1. Some studies found that a 5% zinc sulphate lotion helped spots, but it worked less well than tea tree lotion 1. Adding zinc to antibiotic treatments did not clearly clear acne better than the antibiotics alone, so the evidence for zinc itself remains thin 1.
- Zinc for acne Not proven yet · 16 studies
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
How we grade researchFull ingredient list · 22
Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel ingredients
Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua), Water (Aqua), Zinc Coceth Sulfate, Lauryl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Ceteareth-60 Myristyl Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Fragrance (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
Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.
Real Reddit threads — 32 mentions across 23 threads
Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel on Reddit, in one place — 23 threads from r/tretinoin, r/30PlusSkinCare and 6 more, summarized.
“AM: - Avene Cleansing Gel”
Positive
“PM: - Avene Cleansing Gel”
Positive
“I would try the Avene no-rinse gentle cleanser w their thermal water spray and wipe off w cotton squares.”
Positive
“Routine on tretinoin days:”
Positive
“Wash face w avene cleanance”
Positive
“About my routine- it’s so boring. like there’s no big sexy trendy names, i have been using the same soap and moisturiser for the last 10 years”
Positive
“avene cleanance cleanser.”
Mentioned
“Paulas choice 2% bha AND avene cleanance cleanser.”
Mentioned
“Just use acne areas and start low. Go slow”
Mentioned
“cleanse with Avene Cleanance soapless gel cleanser”
Positive
“Current routine: - cleaned twice daily with \"Avene cleanance \”
Cautionary
“I know this clearly isn’t working but I’m scared to try anything else.”
Cautionary
“I was a sucker and was convinced to try several La Roche Posay and Vishy skincare products”
Cautionary
“I’ve tried the avene cicalfate”
Cautionary
“and they all clog my pores.”
Cautionary
“Do you have any recommendation”
Cautionary
