Avène Cleansing Foam

Avène

Cleansing Foam

face foam cleanser

Added Last edited

Fit by skin type

General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.

Dry
45%
Combination (dry)
45%
Balanced
75%
Combination (oily)
95%
Oily
95%

See how this fits your skin

Take the skin test and I'll show you how suitable this product is for you.

Take the skin test
13
Ingredients
2
Benefits
1
Actives
Find Dupes

Looking for a formula that cleanses, hydrates and softens the skin simultaneously? May we present the Avène Les Essentiel Cleansing Foam, an airy face wash that ticks every box. This cleanser gently yet effectively lifts make up and impurities from the skin, without stripping away moisture. Designed with normal to combination sensitive skin in mind – and crafted with 98% natural origin ingredients - the soap-free formula delivers long-lasting nourishment to the skin with a blend of glycerin and Thermal Spring Water. After use, skin feels soothed and comfortable with a silky finish.

Key Insights

Benefits

2
Anti-Aging
Hydration

Active Ingredients

1
AHA

About Cleansing Foam

Overview

Cleansing Foam is a watery-light foam cleanser from Avène, a brand based in France. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 13 ingredients, each broken down in full below.

Texture and finish

By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Diglycerin and Water, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.

What the formula does

Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Diglycerin, Water and Pentylene Glycol.

Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Avena Sativa Seed Water.

Who it suits

On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.

What it does not target

The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, antioxidant protection, oil control and brightening and tone. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.

What is not in it

Reading the full list, the formula is essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free, microplastic-free and sulfate-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging. It does contain fragrance, worth knowing if your skin reacts to any of them.

Where it fits in a routine

It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes first step. Use on damp skin and rinse thoroughly. Follow with a toner or essence while skin is still slightly damp.

This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.

Pros and cons

Drawn purely from the ingredient list

Pros

  • No essential oils
  • No drying alcohol
  • Silicone-free
  • No microplastics
  • Strong humectant content for hydration
  • No common irritants flagged in the list

Things to know

  • Contains fragrance or declared fragrance allergens
  • One ingredient could feed malassezia (fungal acne)

Which skin types it suits

Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.

Suitable for

  • Combination (oily) skin
  • Oily skin

May suit

  • Balanced skin

Less suitable for

  • Dry skin
  • Combination (dry) skin

Sensitive skin

No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Skin concerns

Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.

Helps with

  • Hydration 5 ingredients

    Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy

  • Anti-Aging 1 ingredient

    Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Does not target

Anti-Acne Blackhead Reducing Dark Spot Fading Evens Skin Tone Oil Control Pore Minimizer Smooths Bumpy Skin Soothing

None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.

Key ingredients

The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.

Water

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water

Hydration
Glycerin

5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane

Hydration Anti-Aging
Citric Acid AHA

7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.

2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid

Diglycerin

8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.

Oxybispropanediol

Hydration
Pentylene Glycol

10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

1,2-Dihydroxypentane

Hydration
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate

12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Ester of hexaglycerol and caprylic acid

Hydration

Formula analysis

Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.

Hydration High

Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin

Barrier support None

Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity

Antioxidant support None

Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution

Oil control None

Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine

Brightening None

Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks

Soothing Moderate

Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity

Cell renewal Low

Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover

Firmness signalling None

Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support

Active and supporting ingredients

"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.

Active ingredients (1)

Supporting ingredients (12)

Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.

Avena Sativa Seed Water Water Disodium Coco-glucoside Citrate Decyl Glucoside Glycerin Sodium Cocoamphoacetate Diglycerin Parfum Pentylene Glycol Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate Sodium Chloride

What is and is not in it

Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.

Free from

  • Essential-oil-free
  • No drying alcohol
  • Paraben-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Microplastic-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Dye-free
  • Oil-free
  • No animal-derived ingredients

Contains

  • Fragrance

    Parfum

What to layer it with

Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.

Compatible with

  • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
  • Retinoids (retinol, retinal)
  • AHAs (glycolic, lactic)
  • BHA (salicylic acid)
  • PHAs (gluconolactone)
  • Benzoyl peroxide
  • Azelaic acid
  • Copper peptides
  • Bakuchiol
  • Niacinamide
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Ceramides
  • Signal peptides
  • Panthenol
  • Sunscreen

Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.

Where it fits in a routine

Morning Evening
  1. Cleanse
  2. Toning
  3. Treat
  4. Moisturise
  5. Protect

This product is the "Cleanse" step.

  • Use on damp skin and rinse thoroughly.
  • Follow with a toner or essence while skin is still slightly damp.

Safety and suitability

Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not clearance — ask your doctor about anything you use daily.
Fungal acne (malassezia)
1 ingredient could feed malassezia: Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate. That is about the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that you will break out.
Sensitive and reactive skin
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Ingredients by function

Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 13 ingredients on the label.

5
Surfactant

Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together

4
Solvent

Dissolves and carries everything else

3
Texture agent

Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula

2
Humectant

Draws water into the upper layers of skin

1
Active

Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels

1
Fragrance / colour

Changes how the product smells or looks

1
Chelator

Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula

1
Occlusive

Forms a film that slows water loss

1
pH adjuster

Sets the acidity the formula needs to work

Ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.

1 Avena Sativa Seed Water Solvent
Estimated level
30–80%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Solvent

1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.

Avena Sativa Seed Water is an aqueous solution of the steam distillates obtained from the seeds of Avena sativa.

2 Water Solvent
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Solvent

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water

Hydration
3 scientific references
  • Skin Research and Technology, May 2015, pages 131-136
  • Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, November-December 1999, pages 344-351
  • Journal of Cosmetic Science, September-October 1993, pages 249-262
3 Disodium Coco-glucoside Citrate Surfactant
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Surfactant

3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

D-Glucose, homopolymer, coco-alkyl ether, monoester with 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid, disodium salt

4 Decyl Glucoside Surfactant
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Surfactant, Texture agent

4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

D-Glucoside, Decyl

5 Glycerin Humectant
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Humectant, Occlusive, Texture agent, Solvent

5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane

Hydration Anti-Aging
6 scientific references
  • Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, March 2021, pages 223-231
  • International Journal of Toxicology, November/December 2019, Volume 38, Supplement 3, pages 6S-22S
  • International Journal of Cosmetic Science, August 2016, ePublication
  • British Journal of Dermatology, July 2008, pages 23-34
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, June 2007, pages 75-82
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 2003, pages 7, 360-7, 365
6 Sodium Cocoamphoacetate Surfactant
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Surfactant

6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Glycine, N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-, N-coco-acyl derivatives, monosodium salts

7 Citric Acid Active
Estimated level
1–5%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Active, Chelator, pH adjuster

7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.

2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid

8 Diglycerin Humectant
Estimated level
1–5%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Humectant

8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.

Oxybispropanediol

Hydration
9 Parfum Fragrance / colour
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Fragrance / colour

9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Parfum is a term for ingredient labelling used to identify that a product contains a material or a combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular odour. According to Article 19 of the Cosmetics Regulation, 'Perfume and aromatic compositions and their raw materials shall be referred to by the terms ‘parfum’ or ‘aroma’. '

10 Pentylene Glycol Solvent
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Solvent

10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

1,2-Dihydroxypentane

Hydration
4 scientific references
  • https://thedermreviewcom/pentylene-glycol/
  • Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, July 2017, pages 106-111
  • Prospector, June 2015, ePublication
  • International Journal of Toxicology, October 2012, pages 147S-168S
11 Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate Surfactant
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Surfactant

11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

1,2,3-Propanetriol, homopolymer, decanoates (1:1) (4 mol glycerol average molar ratio)

12 Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate Surfactant
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Surfactant

12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Ester of hexaglycerol and caprylic acid

Hydration
13 Sodium Chloride Texture agent
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Texture agent

13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Sodium chloride

People also compare

Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.

Frequently asked questions

What ingredients are in Cleansing Foam?

AVENA SATIVA SEED WATER, WATER, DISODIUM COCO-GLUCOSIDE CITRATE, DECYL GLUCOSIDE, GLYCERIN, SODIUM COCOAMPHOACETATE, CITRIC ACID, DIGLYCERIN, PARFUM, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, POLYGLYCERYL-4 CAPRATE, POLYGLYCERYL-6 CAPRYLATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE.

What are the active ingredients in Cleansing Foam?

CITRIC ACID.

How do I use Cleansing Foam?

Apply to wet or dry skin. Rinse thoroughly.

What skin types is Cleansing Foam good for?

Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.

Is Cleansing Foam good for sensitive skin?

No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Is Cleansing Foam fungal acne safe?

One ingredient could feed malassezia: Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.

Can I use Cleansing Foam while pregnant?

Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.

Is Cleansing Foam fragrance free?

No — it contains Parfum.

Does Cleansing Foam contain alcohol?

No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.

Is Cleansing Foam silicone free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.

Does Cleansing Foam contain essential oils?

No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.

Is Cleansing Foam paraben free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.

What can I layer with Cleansing Foam?

It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.

When should I apply Cleansing Foam?

Use it morning and evening, first step.

How many ingredients does Cleansing Foam have?

It lists 13 ingredients, of which 1 are recorded as actives.

Who makes Cleansing Foam?

Avène, a brand based in France.

Brand
Avène
Country
France

Reviews

0 total

Log in to leave a review.

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.