Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream Versus Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream
Updated on May 17, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream 23 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream 19 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream 23 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream 19 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Myreth-3 Myristate
Emollient
PEG-12
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Acetate
BufferingSucrose Distearate
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Myreth-3 Myristate, PEG-12, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, BHT, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acetate, Sucrose Distearate, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Squalane
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion Stabilising
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Oleoyl Dipeptide-15
Skin Conditioning
Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31
Antioxidant
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Squalane, Propylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Wax, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Oleoyl Dipeptide-15, Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31, CI 17200, Retinal, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Triethanolamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTATriethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
Learn more about TriethanolamineIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream 23 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream 19 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cream 23 ingredients
Instant soothing cream - a skinsaver
I've been using this one since years and always have one stored for emergencies mostly caused by some over-irritation (retinoids, facial tratments). It has an instant soothing and calming effect, and relieves itchy skin in no time.
So soothing and made redness go away after one application!! Works great with prescription retinol
