Versus

Kiehl's Calendula Deep Clean Foaming Face Wash Versus Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
French Brand France

Updated on June 07, 2024

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 parabens or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Masking

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

Learn more about Sodium Chloride
Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Masking

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

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 even out skin tone.

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.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

When to use

297 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
650 Routines
47% use in am
53% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Kiehl's Calendula Deep Clean Foaming Face Wash 18 ingredients

4.6 /5
from 7 ratings
Expensive (4) Light Scent (3) Works Well (3)
fmlcrps's avatar

fmlcrps

9 months ago
Review

Been using this for years before I moved on to another product because I was trying to cut my budget on skincare and this cleanser has became overpriced over the years. I have oily skin and my husband has normal to dry skin. Both of us loved this cleanser because it’s not to drying and cleans well.

#expensive
#works well
shoppingaddict's avatar

shoppingaddict

8 months ago
Review

i like this face wash it works very well and keeps my skin clean

#expensive
#light
#works well

Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel 21 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 11 ratings
Irritating (4) Works Well (3) Great Value (3)
laila.21's avatar

Laila

1 year ago
Review

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
Elfin1's avatar

Elfin1

7 months ago
Review

i have oily skin and this broke me out so bad even though it feels like it cleans my face properly.

#broke me out
#irritating