When it comes to beauty, the French know a thing or two. From anti-aging, to effective yet gentle products, they seem to just get it right. And I’m all about the Avène skincare line.
Avène is a commune in southern France in the Occitanie region. This village is on the banks of the Orb River where thermal spring water flows past the commune. This thermal spring water is what makes Avène products so special. The water has healing, calming and soothing properties making it the key source for many products.
Avéne is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all skin types and sensitive skin. The thermal spring water is gentle and soothing allowing it to be used with those of the most sensitive skin conditions.
This is a French skin care brand that you’re going to want to add to your skincare routine. From cleansers to anti-aging products, and even mineral SPF, there is something for every skin type and skin concern.
Avene Skincare Review
I discovered Avène skincare when I was browsing French beauty brands to try. The brand graciously gifted me a few things and ever since, I have been obsessed.
The quality of the products, the effectiveness and the price point (even with customs and duties to the US) make it one of the best skincare brands to add to your skin care routine.
My Favorite Avene Skincare Products
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
This is the product I tell everyone they have to buy no matter what. Period. Buy it, trust me!
This is a rich and nourishing skin barrier cream. And what that means is it helps to restore your skin barrier 4x faster. You’re probably wondering though, why would I need this?
The Cicalfate+ Restorative cream is meant to be used on a variety of skin concerns. From eczema to psoriasis, to sun burns, to dermatitis and even diaper rash. You should also be using this on a post-chemical peel as a skin recovery cream.
A powerhouse of ingredients like their signature C+ Restore ingredient which is a postbiotic restorative ingredient that is packed with proteins to restore the skin’s barrier. Copper, zinc sulfate and the Avene thermal spring water work to protect and restore your skin barrier.
There are two sizes of the Cicalfate+ cream. I just have a small tube since I use it on random flare ups or skin issues. A little goes a long way with this thick healing cream. If you’re using it more daily on recurring issues, I’d grab the bigger bottle.
Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Cream
A lot of people get very scared when they hear retinol. But trust me, this is the anti-aging ingredient family you want as part of your skincare must haves.
Avène has their very own retinol ingredient that they use and it’s called retrinaldehyde. It is clinically shown to be more effective than retinol in smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and brightening your skin.
Use this anti-aging product at night before bed on clean skin. Layer with a moisturizer if you have dry skin. With any retinol, I’d start small using 2-3 times a week and work your way up.
Avène Thermal Spring Water
When you need a boost of hydration, try spraying the Avène Thermal Spring water directly to your face. Use this before your hyaluronic acid serums, or after a sunburn to calm and cool skin. Or if your skin is having a bit of a freakout moment, spray this!
Use the Thermal Spring water spray on sunburns, post peels, irritated skin and just as a way to cool off at the pool (keep it on ice for a cooling mist).
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
If you’re looking for a good cleanser to incorporate into your skincare routine for oily skin, this is a great one! It doesn’t strip your skin causing you to generate even more oil. You can even use this on your body as a body cleanser.
Hydrance Boost Concentrated Hydrating Serum
A hydrating hyaluronic acid serum is an essential product in your skincare routine. Even as someone with oily skin, I do find this to be beneficial in plumping the skin and maintaining moisture. Especially in the drier months, this is an essential.
With hyaluronic acid, vitamin B3 and thermal spring water, this is a non greasy formula that will plump and hydrate your parched skin.
Makeup Removing Micellar Water
I love using micellar water for removing makeup. It’s gentle and does the job. This is a 3-in-1 waterless cleanser, makeup remover and toner that releases cleaning agents upon contact. It leaves you with soft, hydrated skin and is great for all skin types. And yes, even for sensitive skin types.
Soothing Eye Contour Cream
This soothing eye cream is ideal for those with sensitive skin around the eyes. Eye creams can be tricky and easily cause irritation. This Avène Soothing Eye Contour Cream helps to provide intense hydration to your sensitive under eye skin while also protecting it with antioxidants.
Decongest your eyes with this contour cream as it reduces the appearance of puffiness under your eyes. This eye cream includes key ingredients like hylauronic acid, chamomile, dextran sulfate and pre-tocopheryl (a vitamin E).
Gentle Toning Lotion
My skincare junkie bestie, @_qtips loves the Gentle Toning Lotion. It helps to remove excess dirt and oil while still soothing dry and sensitive skin.
This is an ideal toner for those with more sensitive skin. If you’re oily, you may want to try something with lactic acid in it, but this is still a good daily toner that works for all skin types.
A-OXitive SOS Antioxidant Sheet Mask
Everyone loves a great sheet mask for a little self care. The antioxidant sheet masks help to reinforce the skin’s natural barrier and provide’s an infusion of Vitamin C and E. You’ll have glowing skin after your 15 minutes of masking.
One of my tips when it comes to masks, is to try do them once a week. Whether you do a sheet mask like this one, or try a real mask like this soothing face mask.
A face mask is one of those skincare products everyone should one. Having a mask in your beauty arsenal that works with your skin type is key!
Is Avene A Good Skincare Brand
Avène is known for it’s gentle yet effective skincare. People with the most sensitive skin will attest to the quality and healing powers of Avène’s products.
With their strict quality guidelines, and protecting their natural thermal spring resources, they are creating high quality and effective skin care products from cleansers, to anti-aging products and yes, even mineral sunscreens and tinted mineral compact SPF 50.
The product that really made me a fan was the Cicalfate+ cream. I had a patch of dermatitis possibly from over doing it with retinol and another active ingredient, and this cured it overnight. I now use that product on various skin issues or when there’s any sort of skin irritation.
Where To Buy Avène Skincare
If you’re ready to jump in to Avène’s incredible skin care products, there are many places where you can buy it. Buying directly on the site is obviously an option and they are always running really great sales. My rule is to never buy Avène unless there’s a promo code.
You can also shop Avène at other online retailers like Dermstore, Ulta, Bluemercury and even Revolve.
