Formula · 5.3

Brand · 7.5

Avène · concentrate, 25% milk thistle extract · France

Avène Cleanance Comedomed

Avène Cleanance Comedomed
5.3

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.4Little evidence of effect
  • Active concentration1.0Concentration within the working range
  • Completeness for the purpose0.2For “acne and blackheads” — 20 %; without a BHA (salicylic acid) that clears pores from inside; without a retinoid — the main tool against new plugs; without benzoyl peroxide — the best-proven agent against acne bacteria; could be added without conflict: retinoid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid (bha); a formula with one main purpose
  • Tolerance1.0No ingredients from irritant or allergen lists
  • adults
  • acne-prone
  • oily skin
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better.
When:
  • leave-on
  • morning
  • evening
morning and evening on clean skin
When to expect an effect: clogged pores — 4–8 weeks per the maker's data

Ingredients — 10 components · 1 works

What works: 1 of 10 ingredients: milk thistle fruit extract. Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better.

Strengths: active concentration, tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: little evidence of effect; completeness for the purpose: for “acne and blackheads” — 20 %

Questions: no debatable ingredients in the formula

  • Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua base: coating, fillers · spring mineral water instead of plain water — the base of the product; the brand claims a soothing effect, independent comparisons with plain water are scarce
  • Isopropyl Alcohol base: coating, fillers · a volatile solvent alcohol, evaporates without residue; does not clog pores
  • PEG-6 base: coating, fillers · coating glazing agent
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: fruit extract
  • Silica base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Polyacrylate-13 base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Polyisobutene base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Polysorbate 20 base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • Sorbitan Isostearate base: coating, fillers · a water-in-oil emulsifier; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Water (Aqua base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell

Avène Cleanance Comedomed is a product whose active ingredient is milk thistle fruit extract at a declared 25 %. There is little evidence of effect: milk thistle fruit extract against clogged pores: a drop in comedone counts was shown in the maker's own studies, with no independent work. The formula has 10 ingredients, 1 of which does the work; the rest is the formula base. Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, acne-prone, oily skin. asteraceae allergy — not without a doctor. Use: morning and evening on clean skin. When to expect an effect: clogged pores — 4–8 weeks per the maker's data. Label score — 5.3 out of 10 (little evidence of effect; for “acne and blackheads” — 20 %; without a bha (salicylic acid) that clears pores from inside; without a retinoid — the main tool against new plugs; without benzoyl peroxide — the best-proven agent against acne bacteria; could be added without conflict: retinoid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid (bha); a formula with one main purpose). Milk thistle is in the Asteraceae family: if you react to ragweed or mugwort, the brand advises a patch test first.

Who it does not suit

  • asteraceae allergymilk thistle is in the same family as ragweed and mugwort

When to stop: redness and tightness — stop

Per the maker's leaflet: Milk thistle is in the Asteraceae family: if you react to ragweed or mugwort, the brand advises a patch test first.

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests