2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Alcohols, C16-18
Hydration
Avène
Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin
face eyes lips cleanser
Avène
Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin
face eyes lips cleanser
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
Dry
39%
Combination (dry)
39%
Balanced
69%
Combination (oily)
99%
Oily
99%
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15
Ingredients
2
Benefits
0
Actives
Arriving in a soothing sensory gel texture, Avène’s Tolérance Extremely Gentle Cleanser melts away make up and impurities with no rinse required. Think micellar water meets cleansing milk – a quick and complexion-comforting innovation that unites the best of both worlds. Formulated with the brand’s mineral-rich Thermal Spring Water, the tonic leaves the skin purified, refreshed and visibly radiant; ensuring it’s prepped and ready for subsequent skin care. Gentle enough to use on the eyes, the cleanser sweeps away stubborn formulas in a breeze while remaining gentle on even the most sensitive of skin types – alongside delivering seriously soft and supple results after each and every use.
Key Insights
Benefits
2
Anti-Aging
Hydration
Risks
1
Sulfate
Full Ingredients
15 total
About Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin
Overview
Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin is a watery-light cleanser from Avène, a brand based in France. The ingredient list runs to 15 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.
What the formula does
Hydration: Moderate. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Cetearyl Alcohol, Arginine and Water.
Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Avena Sativa Seed Water and Sodium Benzoate.
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. A few ingredients carry irritation flags, so reactive skin should patch test before using it on the whole face.
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 fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
Where it fits in a routine
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes before moisturiser. Tap along the orbital bone with your ring finger; product migrates upward on its own.
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 fragrance or declared allergens
- No essential oils
- No drying alcohol
- Silicone-free
- No microplastics
- No recognised malassezia (fungal acne) triggers
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
A few ingredients here carry irritation flags. Reactive skin should patch test on the jawline for a few days before using it on the whole face.
Skin concerns
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Helps with
-
Hydration 3 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.
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
L-Arginine
Hydration
Anti-Aging
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Hydration
Formula analysis
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Hydration
Moderate
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
None
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Firmness signalling
None
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
What is and is not in it
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Free from
- Fragrance-free
- Essential-oil-free
- No drying alcohol
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Microplastic-free
- Sulfate-free
- Dye-free
- Oil-free
- No animal-derived ingredients
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
- Cleanse
- Toning
- Eye
- Moisturise
- Protect
This product is the "Eye" step.
- Tap along the orbital bone with your ring finger; product migrates upward on its own.
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)
- No ingredient here is a recognised food source for malassezia.
- Sensitive and reactive skin
- A few ingredients here carry irritation flags. Reactive skin should patch test on the jawline for a few days before using it on the whole face.
- Recorded ingredient risks
- Sulfate
Ingredients by function
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 15 ingredients on the label.
5
pH adjuster
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
3
Surfactant
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
2
Emollient
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
2
Solvent
Dissolves and carries everything else
2
Texture agent
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
1
Occlusive
Forms a film that slows water loss
1
Plant extract
Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent
1
Preservative
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Ingredient breakdown
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
- 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.
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Emollient, Surfactant, Texture agent
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Alcohols, C16-18
Hydration
4 scientific references
- CosmeticsInfoorg, Accessed March 2021, ePublication
- FDA Cosmetic Labeling Claims, August 2020, ePublication
- Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea, June 2009, pages 103-110
- Journal of the American College of Toxicology, 1988, pages 359-413
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Occlusive, Plant extract
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Aquaphilus Dolomiae Extract Filtrate is a filtrate of the extract of the microorganism, Aquaphilus dolomiae grown in culture.
4
Arginine
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
L-Arginine
Hydration
Anti-Aging
6 scientific references
- Biobased Surfactants (Second Edition), 2019, pages 413-445
- Scientific Reports, February 2016, pages 1-10
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review, October 2012, pages 1-35
- Journal of Advanced Research, July 2010, pages 169–177
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, April 2005, page 139
- Wound Repair and Regeneration, November-December 2003, pages 419-423
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Emollient
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Octane-1,2-diol
- 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.
Coco-Glucoside is the product obtained by the condensation of coconut alcohol with glucose.
- Estimated level
- 1–5%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- pH adjuster
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Disodium hydrogenorthophosphate
- Estimated level
- 1–5%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Decanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (DL)-
- Estimated level
- 1–5%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Texture agent, pH adjuster
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Magnesium oxide (CI 77711)
- Estimated level
- 1–5%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- pH adjuster
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Potassium dihydrogenorthophosphate
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Preservative
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium benzoate
- 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.
Sulfuric acid, mixed cetyl and stearyl esters, sodium salts
Sulfate
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- pH adjuster
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium hydroxide
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- pH adjuster
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Solvent
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
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
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Frequently asked questions
What ingredients are in Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin?
AVENA SATIVA SEED WATER, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, AQUAPHILUS DOLOMIAE EXTRACT FILTRATE, ARGININE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, COCO-GLUCOSIDE, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, HYDROXYCAPRIC ACID, MAGNESIUM OXIDE, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM CETEARYL SULFATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, TROMETHAMINE, WATER.
How do I use Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin?
Apply to the face, eyes and lips with a cotton pad or directly with your fingertips. No need to rinse.
What skin types is Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin 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 Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin good for sensitive skin?
Some ingredients here carry irritation flags, so sensitive skin should patch test on the jawline for a few days before applying it to the whole face.
Is Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin fungal acne safe?
No ingredient in this formula is a recognised food source for malassezia, the yeast behind fungal acne.
Can I use Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin 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 Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin fragrance free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
Does Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin contain alcohol?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Is Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin silicone free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
Does Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin contain essential oils?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Is Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin paraben free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
What can I layer with Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin?
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 Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin?
Use it morning and evening, before moisturiser.
How many ingredients does Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin have?
It lists 15 ingredients, of which 0 are recorded as actives.
Who makes Tolerance Control Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Very Sensitive Skin?
Avène, a brand based in France.
Brand
Avène
Country
France