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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser versus Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel US .

Last updated on March 11, 2024. Published on July 20, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Face Cleanser American Brand United States
Face Cleanser French Brand France

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

Shop

Buy Gentle Foaming Cleanser

Starts at $8.97
Shop

Buy Cleanance Cleansing Gel

Starts at $20.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (3)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel US contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 8.

Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel US contains this as ingredient number 16.

3
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 9.

Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel US contains this as ingredient number 7.

4
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 12.

Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel US contains this as ingredient number 8.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

42% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
58% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
14% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
43% are disliked or very disliked
33% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser 12 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 4 reviews
cgi's Avatar'
Jan 27, 2024

It’s okay
This cleanser isn’t too bad, it’s very gentle. But don’t leave it on for too long if you’re one of those people who like letting your cleansers sit on your face to let it work, because it actually starts tingling and burning...

It’s okay
This cleanser isn’t too bad, it’s very gentle. But don’t leave it on for too long if you’re one of those people who like letting your cleansers sit on your face to let it work, because it actually starts tingling and burning for some reason and leave your skin red and feeling irritated. I do love the foam that comes right out of the bottle, it’s very soft and light-weight and is very easy to wash off. It also helped reduce my acne by just a little bit. I switched from this cleanser to the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (the big bottle made for your face & body) and I have a much better experience. It’s a simple cleanser and it’s very easy to use. There’s nothing really special about this cleanser, I think it’s an okay option for those who are just starting to get into skincare.

ZephyrRose_888's Avatar'
Dec 5, 2022

drying
this stuff makes me feel like my face has never touched moisturizer in years. dryer than the sahara desert. if it actually gets my skin clean i have no idea, but if it does it is surely not worth the tightness and dryness

drying
this stuff makes me feel like my face has never touched moisturizer in years. dryer than the sahara desert. if it actually gets my skin clean i have no idea, but if it does it is surely not worth the tightness and dryness

Kenzicakes3's Avatar'
Jan 4, 2022

It’s good
I use this as a AM cleanser most of the time, not all the time though. I like to rotate. It’s gentle and good for my sensitive skin but not the best out there you could find. Works good for everyday use though.

It’s good
I use this as a AM cleanser most of the time, not all the time though. I like to rotate. It’s gentle and good for my sensitive skin but not the best out there you could find. Works good for everyday use though.

Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel 21 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 4 reviews
laila.21's Avatar'
Mar 14, 2024

The best water-based cleanser i used so far!
It doesn’t dry my skin out at all and actually leaves it looking glowy and hydrated.
It has a slight scent, but even i have a sensitive acne prone skin it didn’t bother at all nor cause an...

The best water-based cleanser i used so far!
It doesn’t dry my skin out at all and actually leaves it looking glowy and hydrated.
It has a slight scent, but even i have a sensitive acne prone skin it didn’t bother at all nor cause an allergic reaction.

Great Value
Light Scent
Works Well
Region: US

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