Gentle Toning Lotion
Gentle Toning Lotion
Product Description
A gentle, bi-phase toner enriched with Avène Thermal Spring Water and natural silicates. This alcohol-free formula softens and protects sensitive skin from environmental aggressors while restoring comfort and hydration after cleansing.
✨ Texture & Feel
Thermal Spring Water
High concentration of Avène Thermal Spring Water with clinically proven soothing and anti-irritating properties backed by 150+ studies.
Natural Silicates
Creates a protective film on skin to shield against environmental aggressors like cold, wind, and pollution.
Bi-Phase Formula
Shake to activate the two-phase formula that combines water and silicates for optimal skin protection.
pH Balanced
Respects skin's natural pH without over-drying, leaving skin comfortable and balanced after cleansing.
🛡️ Safety & Compatibility
Contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or other pregnancy-restricted ingredients. Avène confirms this product is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Contains PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, which may feed Malassezia yeast. Those with fungal acne should consider alternatives.
Very low likelihood of clogging pores. Non-comedogenic formula suitable for most skin types including acne-prone skin.
While formulated for sensitive skin, those with fragrance sensitivities should patch test first. The scent is mild and well-tolerated by most.
🔬 Ingredient Breakdown
💧 Avène Thermal Spring Water ~98% Proven
The star ingredient, sourced from the Sainte-Odile Spring in France after a 50-year journey through the Cévennes Mountains. Rich in minerals, trace elements, and a unique microflora (Aqua Dolomiae).
- Anti-inflammatory: Inhibits histamine release and reduces inflammatory markers
- Antioxidant: Protects cell membranes and DNA from UV-induced oxidative stress
- Clinical backing: Over 150 clinical studies and 50 medical publications
🧪 Stearalkonium Hectorite (Natural Silicates) Protective
A natural clay mineral that forms a protective film on the skin's surface, shielding it from environmental stressors without clogging pores.
- Function: Creates invisible barrier against cold, wind, and pollution
- Benefit: Helps maintain skin's hydrolipidic film integrity
🌾 Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate Humectant
A plant-derived humectant that helps retain moisture in the skin, providing gentle hydration without heaviness.
- Function: Draws moisture to the skin and prevents dehydration
- Source: Derived from corn or potato starch
🥥 PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate Emollient
A coconut-derived emollient and mild surfactant that helps cleanse while conditioning the skin. Also acts as an emulsifier to blend the bi-phase formula.
- Comedogenic Rating: 1 (very low pore-clogging potential)
- Function: Softens skin and helps remove residual impurities
8 ingredients
Avène Thermal Spring Water (Avène Aqua), Fragrance (Parfum), Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Trisodium EDTA, Water (Aqua)
🔄 Where It Fits in Your Routine
Use morning and evening after cleansing. Pairs perfectly with Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser. Follow with Avène Thermal Spring Water mist for extra hydration.
📝 How to Use
Shake Well
Shake the bottle vigorously before each use to mix the bi-phase formula and activate the silicates.
Apply to Cotton Pad
Saturate a soft cotton pad with the toning lotion after thoroughly cleansing your face.
Gently Sweep
Gently sweep across face and neck using upward motions. Avoid the eye area.
Do Not Rinse
Leave on without rinsing. Allow to air dry naturally, then continue with your skincare routine.
👤 Who Is It For?
✅ Perfect for you if:
- You have dry to very dry sensitive skin
- Your skin feels tight or uncomfortable after cleansing
- You want to protect skin from environmental aggressors
- You need an alcohol-free, gentle toning step
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding
- You prefer French pharmacy skincare
- You want to complete makeup removal gently
❌ Consider alternatives if:
- You have fungal acne (contains ingredients that may feed Malassezia)
- You're extremely sensitive to any fragrance
- You prefer completely fragrance-free products
- You want active ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, or niacinamide
- You have very oily skin and want oil control
🎯 Skin Type Compatibility
Specifically formulated for dry to very dry skin. Provides hydration without stripping moisture. Leaves skin soft and comfortable.
Hypoallergenic formula with minimal ingredients. Thermal Spring Water has proven soothing and anti-irritating properties.
Gentle enough for daily use on normal skin. Maintains skin's natural balance and provides light protection.
Works well on combination skin, though those with very oily T-zones may find it slightly hydrating for their needs.
May feel slightly rich for very oily skin types. Works better for those with dehydrated oily skin seeking balance.
Non-comedogenic with low pore-clogging potential (1/5). However, not recommended for fungal acne specifically.
📈 Results Timeline
Instant Comfort & Freshness
Skin feels immediately refreshed, soft, and comfortable. The tight feeling after cleansing is relieved instantly.
95% noticedImproved Skin Balance
Skin appears more balanced and less reactive. The protective silicate film helps reduce sensitivity to environmental factors.
85% noticedEnhanced Skin Texture
Noticeable improvement in skin smoothness and softness. Skin barrier feels stronger and more resilient.
78% noticedLong-Term Skin Health
Consistent use helps maintain skin's protective barrier. Reduced reactivity and improved overall skin comfort.
82% noticed⭐ Ratings by Platform
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Praised
- Extremely gentle on sensitive and reactive skin
- Effectively removes last traces of makeup
- Leaves skin soft, fresh, and comfortable
- No tight or stripped feeling after use
- High concentration of clinically-proven Thermal Spring Water
- Alcohol-free and non-drying formula
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding safe
- Simple, minimal ingredient list
- Works well under retinol to calm irritation
❌ Criticized
- Contains fragrance (not suitable for fragrance-sensitive individuals)
- Not fungal acne safe (contains PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate)
- Price point considered high by some users
- Bottle cap reported to be fragile/breaks easily
- No active ingredients for specific concerns
- May feel slightly drying on extremely dry skin
- Requires shaking before each use
💰 Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)
Uses witch hazel and aloe vera instead of thermal spring water. More volume for less price. Fragrance-free option available. Not as soothing for very sensitive skin.
French pharmacy alternative with cucumber extract and allantoin. Fragrance-free formula. 250ml size offers better value. Slightly more hydrating focus.
Pure thermal spring water without added ingredients. More versatile as a mist rather than traditional toner. Different application method. Very minimal formula.
Drugstore option with vitamin B5 and chamomile. Fragrance-free. Larger size at much lower price. Less sophisticated formula but gentle and effective.
🔄 Comparison with Competitors
Avène Gentle Toning Lotion
$26.00Bioderma Sensibio Tonique
$15.99Thayers Witch Hazel Toner (Unscented)
$12.95La Roche-Posay Soothing Toner
$24.99📦 Storage & Shelf Life
12 months after opening
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Room temperature is ideal. No refrigeration needed.
Plastic bottle with flip-top cap. Bi-phase formula requires shaking before each use.
Yes - 200ml is over the 100ml carry-on limit, but suitable for checked luggage. Consider decanting for travel.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this toner is safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or other pregnancy-restricted ingredients. Avène officially confirms this product can be used during pregnancy and nursing. Always consult your healthcare provider if you have specific concerns.
No, this product is not considered fungal acne safe. It contains PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, which is derived from fatty acids that may potentially feed Malassezia yeast. If you struggle with fungal acne, consider alternatives like Bioderma Sensibio Tonique or fragrance-free options that avoid such ingredients.
Yes, this gentle toner can be used with active ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, and chemical exfoliants. Many users specifically appreciate it for calming skin after retinol use. Apply the toner first, allow it to dry, then proceed with your actives. The soothing thermal spring water may help buffer potential irritation from stronger treatments.
This toner is specifically formulated for dry to very dry sensitive skin, but it works well for most skin types including normal, combination, and sensitive skin. It's particularly excellent for those with reactive, easily irritated skin. Oily skin types may find it slightly hydrating; those seeking oil control might prefer other options.
You'll notice immediate comfort and softness after the first use—skin feels refreshed and the tight post-cleansing feeling disappears. Improved skin balance and reduced reactivity typically become noticeable within 1-2 weeks of consistent use. Long-term benefits like enhanced barrier function develop over 4+ weeks of regular application.
Use this toner as the second step in your routine, immediately after cleansing and before applying essence, serum, or moisturizer. Apply morning and evening. Shake the bottle well before use, apply to a cotton pad, and gently sweep across face and neck. Do not rinse off. You can follow with Avène Thermal Spring Water mist for extra hydration.
This toner has a very low comedogenic rating of 1 out of 5 and is labeled as non-comedogenic by Avène. The main potentially comedogenic ingredient (PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate) has a comedogenic rating of only 1, meaning it has minimal pore-clogging potential. It should be safe for most acne-prone skin types, though not recommended for fungal acne.
The toner has a PAO (Period After Opening) of 12 months. Once opened, use within one year for optimal freshness and efficacy. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. With twice-daily use, a 200ml bottle typically lasts 2-3 months depending on how much product you apply per use.
Verdict: Avène Gentle Toning Lotion is an excellent choice for those with dry, sensitive, or reactive skin seeking a gentle, protective toner. The high concentration of clinically-proven Thermal Spring Water and natural silicates make it stand out in the sensitive skin category. While the presence of fragrance and ingredients unsuitable for fungal acne are drawbacks, the pregnancy-safe, non-comedogenic formula earns high marks for overall safety and efficacy. A solid French pharmacy staple that delivers on its promises of comfort and protection.
Product Overview
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging «promises» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
Parfum
Masking, Perfuming
|
|
|
| 0 |
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
Humectant
|
|
|
| 0 |
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
|
|
|
| 4 |
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
|
|
|
| 1 |
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Viscosity Controlling, Suspending Agent - Nonsurfactant, Gel Forming
|
|

