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Product · Sun protection · Mattifying

P. 16 · REVIEW

Avène · Sun protection

Cleanance SPF 50+.

the matte oily-skin daily.

Avène's mattifying SPF for oily and acne-prone skin. The finish is the win — silica-led, genuinely matte, comfortable through a tropical day. UVA-PF is mid-pack; don't expect it to outperform UVMune on photoprotection.

Reviewed by Dr. Aanya Mehta

— § 01

The scorecard.

UVA-PF / SPF balance
PPD ~25 — average. Below long-UVA premium SPFs.
17⁄25
Mattifying finish
Best-in-class silica + perlite mattifier. No mid-day shine.
23⁄25
Acne-friendly base
Non-comedogenic. Tested in seborrheic skin trials.
21⁄25
Value
₹ 1,500 for moderate PPD is steep.
13⁄25
⁂

— § 02

The ingredients.

Tier
Ingredient
Role
Note
Tier A
Tinosorb S
Broad-spectrum
Photostable EU filter.
Tier A
Uvinul A Plus
UVA filter
Pure UVA support.
Tier B
Octocrylene
UVB / stabiliser
Photo-stabilises but contact-allergen risk in some patients.
Tier A
Silica / perlite
Mattifier
Real oil-absorbing capacity at the dosage used.
Tier C
Avène thermal water
Soothing carrier
Marketing centerpiece. Real bottling, modest skin benefit.
⁂

— § 03

When to reach for it.

  • Acne-prone Type IV-V skin

    Matte finish through humid days; no acne-pore impact in 12-week trials.

  • Under makeup

    Best primer-finish SPF in this catalogue. Foundation grips well.

  • Mid-day reapplication via mist or stick

    Doesn't disturb the matte base.

⁂
⁂

— § 05

Frequently asked.

Will it actually stay matte through the day?

Through 6-8 hours of moderate humidity, yes. By hour 9 you'll need to blot — but you won't need to reapply the SPF, just touch up the shine.

Octocrylene — is it a problem?

It's a real but uncommon allergen. If you've reacted to sunscreens before, look for one without it (Re'equil OSMF). For most skin, no issue.

Can I use it after AM tretinoin?

Yes — Avène's anti-irritant base tolerates retinoid-thinned skin. Wait 20 minutes after the tret to apply.

Pore-clogging?

Tested non-comedogenic in seborrheic skin. The silica is inert; the filters are non-comedogenic. If your acne flares, the trigger isn't here.

⁂

— § 06

Sources consulted.

  1. MFR DATAAvène clinical dossier, in vivo PPD/SPF for Cleanance Solaire. 2023.On /sources →
  2. REVIEWDraelos ZD. Cosmeceuticals for sebum control. Dermatol Ther 2008.On /sources →
  3. EPIBryden AM et al. Contact allergy to octocrylene. BJD 2006.On /sources →
  4. REVIEWSurber C et al. Sunscreen vehicle and acne. JEADV 2018.On /sources →