Cleanance Cleansing Gel — Reddit Reviews
by Avene
Updated September 23, 2026
Zinc cleanser for acne-prone skin; Reddit says it can be stripping.
What the community says
A zinc cleanser with fragrance and alcohol that acne and rosacea folks keep using anyway. Redditors like it for breakouts and very oily routines, but dry or reactive skin often gets tight, stingy, or stripped. Studies back the acne angle.
What this means for you
What people love
- Zinc for breakout-prone skin
- Keeps showing up in tretinoin routines
- Actually tolerated by some reactive skin
Watch out for
Product details
Where to buy
What the science says
Acne
Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
Zinc: 4 studies tested it on its own. See all 16 studies
What the studies found
- The results were split, so there is no clear answer yet
- Some studies found zinc helped acne when put on the skin
- Used with clindamycin, zinc worked about as well as clindamycin alone
- Used with erythromycin, zinc did not clear acne better than erythromycin alone
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 26 mentions across 19 threads
Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel on Reddit, in one place — 19 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
“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
“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
“my current routine is: Avene Cleanance gel wash morning and evening”
Positive
“Avene Cleanance gel wash morning and evening”
Positive
“Face washes that I have not reacted to: Avène Cleanance Gel”
Positive
“(but it left my skin feeling tight)”
Positive
“The French brands (Avene, LRP) are good bets for sensitive, reactive skin.”
Positive
