Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream

In seeing so many negative reviews I felt compelled to weigh in as this is my favorite moisturizer. I have very dry, menopausal skin. Additionally, I have rosacea which seems to have been a nice gift from said menopause (you can only laugh, right?). It's very common for those of us in our 50's to have a compromised skin barrier and when an issue like rosacea is present, even more so. Because of all this my skin is very intolerant to most moisturizers and nearly all actives (over the last few years I've had to discontinue my retinols and chemical exfoliators). While ingredients like ALA's, petrolatum, mineral oil, parafin/bees wax, and lanolin are well tolerated and known to be quite soothing, they don't hydrate very well as they are more occlusive than moisturizing. Enter this product. Magically, it does both! It's marketed as a protective cream, which again implies occlusive, but it penetrates like no other. Gone is the tight, dry feeling that persisted even when I had a heavy layer of product on my skin (my previous moisturizer was Eucerin Original Healing Cream -- which still has its uses -- because it was the only thing I could put on my skin outside of squalane oil during a flare).Now, no topical can cure rosacea. However, the right product can calm the skin, repair the damaged lipid barrier, and improve its appearance. This moisturizer does just that and it's become my holy grail. Since starting this I've also added in the Cicalfate Serum which has only aided in repairing my skin. Another Avene product that works great for me is the XeraCalm Balm which helps with itching. I use all three of these daily and they've really helped fix the secondary issues that come with rosacea.As for the complaints about it being greasy or too heavy. I can see this not working for people with normal or oily skin (or perhaps only in moderation). But my skin loves the heavier weight and because one of the ways I soothe a flare is to keep a tiny mister bottle on hand and repeatedly spray my face so I have to guard against the drying effects of evaporation. These products are so lipid heavy that I can wet my face all day long without worrying about that, though I do reapply throughout the day.As for the watery consistency issue, I haven't had that problem but it does caution on the packaging not to expose the product to temperatures below 41 degrees F (5 C). I suspect that if it gets too cold either because of the weather or because of whatever warehouse it sat in during transit it will separate. Maybe open the package and before squeezing some out look to see if it has split and then shake it up/message the tube.So, if you have skin like mine don't hesitate to try this product. I'm leaving this absurdly long review for my struggling brothers and sisters out there with rosacea in hopes that it provides some relief! Happy moisturizing, internet strangers. ;)

I love this product so much, but, like everyone else the water HEAVILY separated. A lot of water just shot out immediately and as i've used the cream it has felt more and more thick bc of that, shaking the tube or not.POSSIBLE SOLUTION:I actually think the company could salvage this problem by upgrading packaging to a Cosmetic JAR and then customers could take a toothpick and stir if separation has occurred by the time of purchase. I hope to try this with my next tube, just toothpaste squeezed everything out into a nice cosmetic jar and stir the water back into the product. This is such a simple solution that could really solve the product waste.This refreshes my skin, doesn't break me out, and is lovely. I break out so easily, and being middle aged my skin really requires a dense help with moisture. <3

Ok, So I heard great things about this cream and decided to order. I ordered on May 28th and I live on the Gulf Coast of Texas and it is in the low 90s right now. I was worried mine would arrived separated like many others claimed to have gotten theirs, and sadly it did. Warm weather or not, blue water shot out of the tube the minute I squeezed it. Luckily, I read Mia P's review and submerged my tube in warm water (hot water actually straight out of my instant hot water faucet). I left it for about 5 minutes then shook it vigoroously. It seemed to help but was still a bit wonky so I repeated the process again and success! My tube is totally fine now and comes out in a thick, rich, emollient cream as it is supposed to. I will update my review after I use it more but so far I love the way it feels on the skin. It is very thick but spreads nicely and completely absorbs into the skin and leaves no greasy residue which is a big deal because I have oily skin. I purchased this to help with my Retin A uglies (I actually am using Musely with .05% tretinoin) and am hoping it helps with the redness and peeling I am having. I will update my review once I've used it for a while but wanted to post this review as I saw so many people complaining about the separating and just thought I'd mention that you can fix this issue if you have it (and there is a good likely hood that you will).Update: I've been using this for a week now and I am absolutely in love with this cream! It is the most hydrating and healing cream I've ever used. Usually, thicker face creams like this would cause issues for me with acne or clogged pores as I do have oily skin that can break out if I use products with occlusive ingredients, but this one does not. In fact, my skin has never looked better! This is a must-have if you are using Retin-A/Tretinoin and going through the red/peely phase with your skin. The separation that occurred when I first received it has not been a problem and the cream is staying thick and free from any strange liquidy issues after I put it in hot water as mentioned in the first part of my review.

I was having the worst skin winter of my life. I am hypersensitive and my skin started rejecting an expensive line I had used for many years (EL). My skin wasn’t healing even just using AQ balm on it and occasionally steroids when it was extra bad, and the pronounced eczema on my eyelids and neck for months was making me miserable and gross looking. I started researching brands I hadn’t tried for super sensitive skin and saw recommendations for Avene. We were leaving on a vacation and I was desperate to feel better so I ordered this and the matching serum. I started with only this cream and overnight I saw my skin start to heal. Within a few days it was like the last few months never happened. I carefully added the serum and had no issues. I used only these two products for the month I was gone and had glowing skin the whole time. This is thicker than a normal lotion since it is made to protect your skin but if you let it warm up a few seconds it smoothes easily. This will definitely remain a staple in my skin arsenal and I can’t thank you enough for making an actually gentle but effective product! This picture is two weeks after starting the product, smooth skin and confident to take selfies!

I love this cream and am puzzled by some of the negative reviews. I have received shipments where only liquid came out of the tube at first. I shook the tube well, and it came out as a cream. (Natural spring water is one of the primary ingredients.)The reasons I am a big fan of this product are twofold: (1) it soothes the redness in my skin, including radiation treatment burns; and (2) it leaves the skin on my face and neck wonderfully moisturized, soft, smooth, and glowing with health.I had radiation decades ago and have tried a variety of products to improve the scars on my neck, yet nothing helped until I started using this product. I'm not saying that it's a miracle worker, but it is slowly reducing the appearance of burn marks and redness on my neck. That alone makes the product worth using for me.However, it also reduces less severe redness on my face and leaves my complexion glowing. It serves as a makeup primer, although I wear it morning and night, often without makeup. It's wonderfully moisturizing and works well on my combination skin. It also seems to help with fine lines. I can see a difference in my skin's appearance when I don't apply it - it just doesn't have the same glow and smoothness. Furthermore, since I've been using it, I frequently receive compliments on my skin's beauty - something that didn't happen before.I'm 64 years old, but with the help of this product (and others), my skin appears decades younger. The tube is small and could be considered expensive, but I don't need to use much product, and it lasts me several months. For me, this cream is a keeper!

My dermatologist recommended this cream after a laser procedure, and gave me some samples to take home. I found the thick, smooth cream calming and protective for my irritated skin. The zinc oxide leaves a whitish cast at first, which does tend to fade after it sinks in, but it could be problem if you have darker skin. Not an issue for me since I’m pale.Because I liked the samples, I ordered two full-size tubes. Both arrived with the product inside completely separated. The texture was nothing like the samples. I opened the first tube and clear, watery liquid spilled everywhere. I quickly recapped it, shook and squeezed the tube as much as possible to try to re-emulsify the product, and it remained stubbornly separated, with chunky white paste suspended in thin liquid. I’ve thoroughly shaken the second tube and continue to hear the sloshing of thin liquid. So apparently once the cream has separated, it will not re-mix.I don’t know what caused the unacceptable condition of the product—manufacturing variation, storage conditions prior to shipping, or conditions during shipment. Whatever it was, I would not buy this product in this way again. The samples were a five star product. The full size product I received was zero stars.

Very good product. I started using this product line at the recommendation of my esthetician after I developed severe allergic reaction to products I’d used for years. Made in France the products are very clean. This moisturizer is very thick so I only use it in the evening as it does not dissolve into the skin very easily, hence the four stars.

A must have if you are planning to have any micro needling facials.My skin needed help. At 68 living in the desert it was looking dull and dry. (A skin analysis was done and the gal said I didn't have near the amount of sun damage for my age considering I have lived in the desert for over 40 years!)I didn't want to go under the knife so micro needling sounded like my best choice to help with fine lines and wrinkles but still look natural.I had my first treatment and when it was over the esthetician said to use pure Hyaluronic Acid and products with Ceramides. But didn't offer to sell me any products or suggest brands. I thought that was odd.So when I got home I looked for a Ceramide product after micro needing. I found this and absolutely love it. Amazon delivered it the next morning.Your skin will feel dry and your face will be slightly red and swollen. This helped soothe it right away and retain moisture. Use this product sparingly. Apply very small amounts to the pads of your fingertips. I applied to my pointer, middle and ring finger pads on one had and then pressed them together with my other hand. Then I dotted it on, forehead, checks, upper lip and neck. I blended with just the pads of my fingers gently tapping it in. Don't rub it in or pull it across your face. The warmth of your face will allow it to melt in.I also ordered the ZealSea Hyaluronic Acid product which was suggested for micro needling treatments. (See my review on that.)You will need both of these products if you have micro needling done. Apply the HA first then layer the Avene on top.Order them BEFORE your treatment!My background; I'm a retired esthetician and certified color consultant.

This cream works very well for calming irritated or sensitive skin. It has a rich texture but absorbs nicely without feeling too heavy. I used it on dry and irritated areas, and it helped soothe and repair the skin quite quickly. It’s especially good for post-treatment or damaged skin. Overall, a very reliable and effective skincare product that I would recommend.

Keeps my skin moisturized and soft

I have bought this product endless amount of times. With super sensitive skin it is one of the only creams that doesn’t irritate and creates a great barrier against drying out.It is affordable and keeps my skin hydrated for hours. Have recommended this product to so many friends with other skin problems.Keep in mind it’s a thicker consistency but I love that as I feel like it lasts longer through out the day.

helps as it is ment to do.

Very good for my skin, original product!