Avene • Cleansing and Make-Up Remover Micellar Lotion • Cleansers

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*TOP REVIEWER* Lalie on 1/6/2008 1:49:00 PM more reviews by Lalie

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is supposed to be gentle and for sensitive skin? Anyone with dry skin or rosacea should definitely run far away from this stuff! I have dry sensitive skin and this stuff was beyond horrible. In fact, it was so bad that I believe that it caused three broken capillaries (never had these before on my face EVER) the first two weeks of using it. I wish I would have realized it was the culprit, because I would have never continued using it. The last time after using it, I could literally see a capillary surfacing---it was beyond scary. It is really ineffective as a makeup remover. You have to rub at your face and use lots of cotton balls to get it off your face. It also has kind of a burning-like sensation when you apply it to your skin. I wanted to think it was just my skin being sensitive, but now I know it was this intolerable product.

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BlueFL on 1/1/2008 7:22:00 PM more reviews by BlueFL

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This cleanser has been a revelation. I've always been leery of no-rinse cleansers leaving a film, but this leaves my skin completely free of makeup and soft. I do use a separate eye makeup remover on my waterproof mascara, but every other trace of makeup comes off with two soaked cotton pads. I don't feel the need to rinse after using this, but my next step is a spritz of Thermal Water before applying Eluage. I feel that my skin could not be better prepped for my evening routine with any other cleanser. Love, love, love this product.

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*TOP REVIEWER* YuzuBunny on 8/27/2007 1:11:00 PM more reviews by YuzuBunny

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

i love this product! I find that this is a gentle, yet effective cleanser for my slightly dry and sensitive skin. It also works on my slightly oily parts.


It is a clear fluid with a liquidy texture. It feels light and slightly slippery. It has a soft fragrance, that I find pleasant and it does not irritate my skin. I like the ingredients, including Bisabolol, Dimethicone, and Sodium Hyaluronate, all which are known to be moisturising/soothing to sensitive or dry skin.


I use a pump (bought separately from Paula's Choice...had to snip the end to make it fit) with the bottle and do 1 or 2 pumps on a cotton pad that has been sprayed with a squirt of Thermal Water. This way, the cotton does not drag on my skin and I can use less cleanser...a bottle will last me about 2-3 months, with twice daily use.


I then swipe over my face. I use this alone, or after cleansing with a Cleansing Oil. I don't use this to remove makeup, because it would take too long, even though it is effective. I use Cleansing Oil or Oil-based Eye Makeup Remover, depending on the makeup I am wearing.


It makes my skin feel clean and soft, and slightly more hydrated and refreshed.


I would definitely Repurchase this and probably horde this if it ever became scarce or discontinued.

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*TOP REVIEWER* prettiesnow on 8/26/2007 12:55:00 PM more reviews by prettiesnow

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I love this cleansing lotion! I'm always a fan of cleansing water as they are more lightweight and not as greasy. I use this and I only need 2 cotton pad to remove everything. Plus, it's not drying, it doesn't contains alcohol do it's soothing to my skin.

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*TOP REVIEWER* laureg on 8/16/2007 10:29:00 AM more reviews by laureg

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I tried this product after reading all of the rave reviews, and because I was curious as to how it would compare to the Nuxe Eau Demaquillant. Unfortunately, I did not like this product at all. I didn't find that it takes off makeup very well at all, and I don't wear very much to begin with. Like one of the reviewers below, I also found I had to use a soaked cotton pad a bit more aggressively than I'm used to in order to get my makeup off. I also didn't like the bottle. I bought the 200 ml size and found the bottle to be a fairly hard plastic, which made squeezing the product onto a cotton pad difficult- the product just sort of dribbled out. I've found that Avene Micellar just doesn't do as good a job as the Nuxe cleansing water.

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*TOP REVIEWER* secondadonna on 5/27/2007 6:39:00 PM more reviews by secondadonna

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I'm really impressed with this cleanser, which I probably wouldn't have tried if it weren't for raves on the skincare board. It looks like a toner (in fact, I would have assumed that's all it was if I hadn't read more interesting things about it) and is best used a lot like a toner, on cotton pads. However, it actually takes off makeup (although not, at least for me, waterproof eye makeup -- I really need an oil for that) and sunscreen. It also leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and clean, with no residue. Plenty of cleansers can manage clean & residue-free, but most of those are drying; many others manage soft but do it by leaving pore-clogging residue behind. This does almost everything, with no downside! After eye makeup remover, I use the Avene Micellar on cotton pads all over my face till all traces of makeup are gone -- takes about 3 pads. Or, I'll use a quick sweep of the Avene after pre-cleansing with Ponds cold cream, to remove greasy residue. Sometimes I rinse with tap water, but it doesn't really seem necessary. Again, I'm amazed at how it leaves nothing behind and yet my skin feels refreshed and hydrated -- and no irritation, even around my eyes. I hope they keep making the giant 400mL bottle, because this is a keeper for sure.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Alicina on 4/12/2007 3:25:00 PM more reviews by Alicina

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I just bought this and I love it! Did anyone else notice that it has sodium hualuronate in it? That's hyaluronic acid, right, which is good for plumping? Another big plus is that it is paraben-free. It took all my makeup off and de-greased my nose. As someone with sensitive but oily and breakout prone skin, I was happy to find a sensitive-skin cleansing product that doesn't automatically assume that sensitive=dry. My face feels fresh and clean; not tight. I respect what others have said about the fragrance; however they must be ultra-sensitive. I am not--I don't have rosacea or anything. Just skin that seems not to like most of what I put on it! :)

I applied the product with a cvs oval cotton pad and then followed with a spray of avene thermal spring water, which I then wiped off with another pad.

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PourHomme on 3/1/2007 1:20:00 PM more reviews by PourHomme

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I really wanted to like this product. I've been using the Bioderma version of this and it has totally no fragrance to it whatsoever. I don't understand why a product marked for easily reddened or sensitive skin needs to include a fragrance in the product. I'm fairly certain I have a sensitivity to fragrance in products, but my sensitivity to this product could be from another ingredient in it. I cleansed with the product and noticed a sensation I've gotten from MAC wipes both times I tried to use those and the very next day I ended up with pustules on my otherwise clear skin. I'm no dermatologist, but I'm fairly certain that is sign of a reaction. The Bioderma version is far superior, but unfortunately more difficult to come by.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tetrakis on 12/29/2006 11:14:00 AM more reviews by tetrakis

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

UPDATE: 2 months of use, and I still rate this a 5. Two rounds of this on cotton pads (I recommend the extra large ones from CVS, stay together well) and my face is clean and comfortable. I then soak a third cotton pad in avene thermal water and wipe over my face to "rinse". I use this morning and night, and it has really gotten rid of my dry skin issues in winter. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I am in love with this cleanser! I never thought I could say this! I have rosacea and hypersensitive skin that is very dry in the winter. Trying to find an ideal cleanser has been such a struggle over the last few years. 99% of the products I try flare up my rosacea or give me some sort of dermatitis. I was very nervous to try this cleanser because it contains fragrance, but I have heard and read that the fragrance in avene products is super hypoallergenic. This turned out to be true in my case. Though it definitely has a fragrance to my nose (probably because I have used fragrance-free products for the past 5 years or so at least), it doesn't irritate my skin in the least. In fact, my skin has been less red and irritable in the last few days since I replaced my usual cleanser with this micellar lotion and avene thermal water spray. I love the no-rinse cleansing concept, too. I use two cotton pads soaked in this liquid and it removes *everything* (water-proof foundation, blush, powder, concealer, regular mascara, and eyeliner). I probably don't even need the second round, but I do it just to be "sure" since I am inexperienced with no-rinse cleansing. No rinsing or tissueing off required. It's more like a toner, but it cleanses much better. Leaves my skin hydrated and so comfortable (just be sure to lightly cleanse with the cotton if you're very sensitive, don't push down and "drag" it on the face =). I finish with a spritz of thermal water (which is not just "water in a bottle" as many will tell you, it has anti-inflammatory properties, for a list of scientific publications and exhibits: http://www.aveneusa.com/clindata/default.asp?product=thermal_spring), then the rest of my routine (listed on my notepad). My skin has been exceptionally comfortable and happy the last few days despite the fact that I am currently out of town (traveling and "different" tap water usually wreak havoc on my rosacea). I would highly recommend this product, even to those who are "sensitive to fragrance" as I usually am, and especially to those who have dry, sensitive skin or "winter-dry" skin. I've already stocked up on 3 extra bottles (yay for CVS's that carry avene!) b/c I want to be sure to never accidently run out =).

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lavanilo on 10/29/2006 2:13:00 AM more reviews by lavanilo

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Once again, i find this is another product that seems to work in hot humid weathers. when i'm back here in north CA, this remover made my skin feels dry and tight. so i use shu uemura instead. i'll bring this remover back to hk to use.

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Mirabel on 8/10/2006 7:43:00 PM more reviews by Mirabel

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Love this. It's a better eye makeup remover than any other I've tried, it feels very fresh, the fragrance does not irritate my skin. A spritz of thermal water to follow, and my summertime skin is happy. Edit: 2007/03/16. If I use this every day I do get clogged pores. Sometimes I use it to refresh in the middle of the day, but I do find it leaves a film.

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diannewong on 5/26/2006 10:21:00 AM more reviews by diannewong

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Black    

Thought it was for sensitive skin. usually use shu uemura cleansing oil but didn't have time to go down to the counter to buy another bottle. Was recommended this at the pharmacy. skin became spotty and itchy the first time i used it. skipped the 2nd night and skin was bac kto normal.

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Sugaryblue on 3/10/2006 10:17:00 PM more reviews by Sugaryblue

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

My friend introduced this cleansing lotion to me when my skin was really irritated. I live in hong Kong, and my job requires me to constantly wear makeup and fly around a lot. I found this cleanser to be easy to use and very gentle on the skin. I have highly sensitive combo skin with slight rosacea and tends to break out easily. I found that this makeup remover does not sting like other makeup remover does, and it does make my skin feels more refreshed. I use it to remove eyemakeup too, and seems to work well as well, at least it doesn't sting like most eyemakeup removers do. Sometimes i use it without further rinsing, but sometimes i do rinse afterwards. I am on my third bottle now.

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littlemissmagic on 1/5/2006 7:27:00 PM more reviews by littlemissmagic

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Very Oily   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Tried a generous sample of this new product aimed for sensitive, redness-prone skin. Wonderful water-like solution that effectively dissolves make-up and oil without residue, however; the fragrance DEFINATELY irritated my acne/rosacea-prone skin. Surprised that the fragrance in other Avene products (Hydrance Light and Gommage) do not irritate me, but the fragrance in this one does. Upset that the aveneusa.com website lists this product as fragrance-free, when the actual product's ingredient listing says otherwise! A product that had so much potential...if only they could have omitted the fragrance!

Edit: I tried this again, only rinsing with water afterwards. Still irritated my skin. This product is a definate no-no to those with sensitive skin.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Treasa on 12/7/2005 5:48:00 PM more reviews by Treasa

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

non drying, great cleanser-removes all makeup with out irritation. In the winter i suffer from have very dry skin and i love this above all others because it is so gentle and does what it is supposed to do.

Update:i spoke too soon,my skin is now terribly dry and irritated so i have discontinued this from my routine. I did purchase Dr Leslie Baumann's "THe Skin Type Solution" and now know that i have DSPW skin-i am now on a quest to find products that i dont react too. So far i have been having mixed results with La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser

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cat_italy on 4/11/2005 4:59:00 AM more reviews by cat_italy

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

No-rinse formula For sensitive skin prone to redness.
it feels just like water and dissolve make-up fast. Doesn't leave any dirt, or oily residue. I'm not sure weather it can be used on eyes, sometimes I swipe them with it quicky.

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