Hi, ladies. I got out of class early today, so I decided to head over to Longs Drugs to pick up a snack — strawberries and some Power-C Vitamin Water, yum! I’m cruising the beauty aisle right now and checking out the exotic-looking lines in the Skin Health Clinic section. I’ve got my eye on some items from Avene. Have you ever used any of their products?
Avene says their skin care line contains special thermal spring water from Avene, France. I read a bunch of reviews on Makeup Alley last night, and several of their lotions, cleansers, anti-aging creams and acne treatments received glowing reviews. I’ve been wanting to try the line but just haven’t gotten around to it.
Most of the items cost between $15-30, which is a lil’ more expensive than typical drugstore skin care products.
I think I’m going to pick up some Micellar Lotion ($16). It’s a no-rinse cleanser and makeup remover. I’ll let you know if I think it’s any good.
Anyhoo, I just wanted to check in and say hello. I also thought you might want to know that somebody resurrected banana clips from their ’80s grave:
Whoever decided that bringing banana clips back was a good idea gets a big fat BOO! I remember those things hurting my head something fierce back in the day.
Hope you’re having a nice Monday so far! Got any plans for tonight? I’m going to hip hop class.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Yes. In Europe especially switzerland and france where this is in every pharmacy.. every young woman trys the line at least once. But in general its not considered anything remarkable.
There is a light day moisturizer I used when i was in my teens.
It smells far too much to give the impression that it is kind to sensitive skin. (very cosmeticy smell)
Its not greasy YET i broke out around my jawline and lower cheek area when I used it and it took me a good 3 months to figure out it was the moisturizer!! About a year ago I used it again and BAM!!! AGAIN!
Hi Tali,
Thanks for the info. I’ll keep that in mind when I’m checking the line out. 🙂
I have dry and sensitive skin, and it seems to work really well with me. I was recommended the soothing mask, and it did wonders during the harsh winter days. My skin never broke out, it was hydrated for the whole day and the smell was actually pleasant.
I used the mask like a lotion which is costly cause it’s pretty pricey for a 50ml tube – so maybe I’ll try and see if any of the serums can do the same job.
I’ve also tried their body cream (Akerat) for keratosis and it has also reduced some of the bumps as well.
All in all, Avene works well with me, so I’d recommend it 🙂
Hi Donna,
The mask sounds like something that might work for me. I have dry skin around my nose and chin so I’ll see if it’s there the next time I hit up Longs.
Yes. m using EAU thermale spring water. But i will using Avene product!!!
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Hi Anis,
I think that’s the product I want to try next.
It has been promoted quite a lot here in Canada by Shoppers Drug Mart. I have yet to buy products as I am still using the free samples they hand out with purchases.
I use the gel cleanser (light green) when I feel like my face is gunked up with product residue. It gets my face very clean in a way that my Aveeno cleanser doesn’t, but is very drying so I would not recommend it for those with dry skin. They have another product for exfoliation though that is quite good, I would consider buying this in a full size because I think it is gentle enough for those with dry skin.
Hi Shiny,
Thanks for letting me know. I probably won’t be able to use the gel cleanser but the scrub sounds like something I could use. I’m on an exfoliating kick, so that’s on my list, too.
I’ve picked up some of their line while travelling overseas. I think some of their anti-acne creams are the best out there. They worked a charm on me. The line is called cleanance. The spot treatment smelled really good as I recall, weird that I would remember that!
Hi Jen,
I saw a few acne products on the shelves yesterday. The one I was thinking about buying has salicylic acid as the active ingredient. It’s good to hear that it smells nice! That’s a big thing for me.
Heeeeeeeeey, don’t diss the banana clips. I use those when I want my hair out of my face with lots of volume yet I don’t want a dent from my hairbands or broken hairs from backcombing. I generally wear it when I’m painting my nails.
From reading the comments, Avene is not for me. Strong smell is not good for me and my easily aggravated allergies to smells. My limit is the Biore transitional skin line smell. Anymore and my head starts pounding. I can only use the Aussie stuff because I’ve used it for a long while. I’m still hunting for a cleanse & mend shampoo and volumizing conditioner that doesn’t reek like my Aussie one and haven’t found it. Have any suggestions Karen?
Hi Kate,
Hmm… I haven’t really used a lot of unscented hair products. One that I tried a while back that I remember with a lighter, less intrusive fragrance is Neutrogena’s. I don’t know if they changed the scent since I used it last, so you might want to open up the bottle and give it a sniff.
Hi Kate! John Masters Organics makes a fragrance free shampoo and conditioner.
Never seen this brand before. I will have to check out the reviews on MUA.
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Hi Marisol,
It’s been around for a minute! I haven’t gotten around to trying it. The MUA reviews sound good, though!
I’ve used some of their products, but don’t really care much about them. Almost all pharmacies in Greece stock Avene, so almost everybody I know has used it at some point. Two products that I’ve tried and really stood out, were their body scrub for sensitive skin, which was really good and their serum for sensitive skin which did nothing for my dry, sensitive skin.
I still have their Trixera cream for very dry and atopic skin, which is good, but a bit too thick for my skin (my skin has a mind of it’s own and “refuses” some of the richer creams).
My Mom swears by their tinted sunscreen face cream, 50 spf and she has oily skin.
Hey Karen! Interested to hear your review. I have their thermal spring water spray that I take with me on flights. It works really well in keeping my skin hydrated so it’s not parched when I step off the plane. Haven’t tried anything else though.
HILARIOUS that you mention banana clips. Just went to an 80s party two weekends ago and my friend was looking high and low for one to wear to the party. Too bad this post came up after the fact – she could have totally gone to Longs!
Hi Shefali,
I really wanted to try that spray but they didn’t have it on the shelf! It looks like I’ll have to go hunting at various Longs.
That’s too funny that you guys were on a banana clip mission. Did you guys end up wearing neon and leg warmers to the party? LOL!
I use Avena thermal spring water spray, and I love it. My mom used to have a bottle at her bathroom, always, but never saw her using it! Now I use it myself for several things:
a) Just after I get out of the shower, with my face clean, I spray it all over my face, and let it dry naturally. It adds some oil-free extra moisture to my skin before I apply moisturizer, and it rubs away redness in irritated areas. I love it.
b) For keeping my skin hydrated on flights, or to refresh my face/body in hot weather… its mist just comes like glory!
c) This is my favourite use: to settle make up! When I’m done doing my make up I spray some of it on my face, and it’s amazing. My blush stays in its place twice as long as normally, and my foundation wouldn’t melt even in the hottest Spanish weather. Even if I’m wearing a counter-brand eyeshadow that normally would wash away after a couple hours it stays for longer!
For all this, I recommend the vaporisateur, is just great.
Oh, I used the oil-free moisturizing cream, but for the first time in my life (I’m 21!) I’ve broken on my jaw line and lower cheek area, as Tali described… I was pretty happy with my moisturizer but now I’m quite suspicious about it…
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Hi Paula,
Thanks for giving me the scoop. I will try the thermal spray, for sure! I just hope I can find it around here. 🙂
It’s one of the more popular European lines of “pharmaceuticals” – cosmetics sold in pharmacies. A lot of them are based on thermal waters, and while I tried some Avene products for my sensitive skin, they actually aggravated the problem. I much prefer Bioderma (especially their Atoderm line), and Nuxe for creams (Nirvanesque lives up to its name).
Hi Beth,
I like Nuxe, too. I’ve tried a few of their products. Bioderma is new to me. Can you recommend one thing from the line that you absolutely love?
Avene’s Cleanance Gel cleanser saved my skin from bad acne years ago, when I was 12. I had hormonal acne since I was 6, and medicines never helped. Since then I haven’t stop using it, twice a day, and now my face is super clean, I’m only acne prone. I highly reccomend their products! I also hear that their retinalhyde products are amazing, Eluage and Ystheal, for antiaging and as acne therapy too. And their sunscreens also are very good, for sensitive skins, just not my HG because they’re kind of oily for my oily skin, even their oil free.
Hi Sophia,
I’m glad to hear that the lines has helped you so much! It’s nice to find stuff that actually works, isn’t it?
Hi Karen!
You know I used this entire line for over a year and I loved it! It is really great for individuals with dry/sensitive skin. I have since switched to Jan Marini and the only reason I made the switch is because I am going to be 42 and felt that I needed more of a “treatment” type skincare for anti-aging and felt that Avene’s anti-aging products were not cutting it. I do use the Avene cold cream lotion line. Kiss away those dry, itchy hands and legs (especially after shaving)! I never experienced a break out with the Avene line and I do feel it is a great line for those with younger skin – because moisturizing is so important when you are young – if I had only known then what I know now – I would have purchased a truck load of Avene in my 20’s!
Hi Melissa,
I wish I understood the importance of moisturization (and sunscreen on my neck!) when I was younger, too. Sigh.
How are you liking the Jan Marini? I’ve heard great things about it!
Yea I have been using avene no-rinse cleanser for about half a year by now, because I have very dry & sensitive skin. It works amazingly. I am very satisfied with the result that the product delivers. I knew the brand from my dermatologist and I live in the netherlands; as what Tali said, it seems that this brand is quite popular in europe.
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Hi Eunice,
I tried the Micellar water last night! So far I like it. It doesn’t leave a film and leaves my skin feeling clean but not stripped.
Karen,
I just started on her line about a week ago – they found me on Twitter and sent me a ton of product to try. I was also able to have a consult with Jan Marini directly and I am now on a entire skincare regime! I love her Enlighten Serum – I am hoping it will lighten my sun damage. It feels really great on the skin and I am not breaking out or feeling tightness. Her lash conditioner is fab and so is her mascara.
this brand is very well known here in Spain and I use it quite often,very good products
As other people said in Europe (Italy here) Avene is quite common in all pharmacies. A friend of mine swears by their Micellar Lotion because she has very very sensitive skin. Every now and then I use Cleanance K because it helps with my adult acne and contains AHA+BHA.
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Karen!
I’m in SF for 2 days. What do I abs have to do? Omw to benefit brow bar right now!
Hi Asta,
Yay! I hope the nice weather holds up for you. A few fun things off the top of my head…
1.) Visit Land’s End, Ocean Beach and the Legion of Honor in the Richmond (my old ‘hood!)
2.) If you have a car drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and head up to the Marin Headlands to get the best views of the bridge, bay and the city
3.) Go to Union Square and hit up Bloomies, Nordstrom, H&M, Sephora, the Fresh Store (it’s not directly in Union Square but it’s in walking distance), the Banana Republic flagship store and Macy’s
4.) Explore some neighborhoods: the Fillmore, the Marina, the Mission
5.) Have lunch at the Ferry Building and perhaps take a ferry to Sausalito or Tiburon
6.) Visit the Conservatory of Flowers and the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park
7.) Go to Fisherman’s Warf (totally touristy, but you gotta do it!)
No not banana clips- say it isn’t so!
Am I going to have to get a perm to go with my banana clip?
Think I’ll check this out. I’m looking for an acne product for my daughter. She’s been through it all with her skin from a very young age and had been on Accutane for 2+ years (anyone who has been on that knows what a hassle that whole program is…) she’s sick of everything, does not want to go to the dermatologist anymore, etc. I recently bought her something from Murad at Sephora, but I don’t see much improvement. I’ll look for this product… if anyone has any suggestions of something that has worked well for them I’d sure appreciate it! Her acne is not severe; but, I’m at the point we either find something that works or we look for a new dermatologist & get some more prescriptions. Thanks! :o)
At 48 I began with Adult Acne, all hormonal influenced. After many unsuccessful attempts with light topical aids, my dermatologist finally put me on Accutane. I was concerned about the Accutane given its long list of conditions and possible side affects. I couldn’t understand how an ingested medicine was going to change my hormones permanently. As suspected, after coming off the Accutane for aprox. 6 weeks, my acne slowly returned. My dermatologist then put me on a topical, Retisol A gel, this only burned and irritated my skin.
Like your daughter, I didn’t return to my Dermatologist but went and purchased the Pro Active, steps 1, 2 and 3, at that point, I felt I had nothing to loose. After using this regime for several years, it keeps my acne under control and while I do have oily skin, the Pro Active is drying. I would still recommend it over ingesting Accutane and as I suspect, the possible liver damage that might go with that long term.
Recently I took Step 1 out of my Pro Active regime and replaced it with a Neutrogena facial wash, this seems to be less drying and still affective at keeping the acne away, the only unfortunate thing, Neutrogena just discontinued the facial wash I chose. I am sure I will be able to find something else, Neutrogena has some good products. I became familiar withe Neutrogena products in my early 20’s, I had another type of break out then.
As with age, my hormones continue to change and my skin is developing more wrinkles and becoming more dry in certain areas. I recently purchased some of the Avene products, the firming gel, hydrance lotion and eye cream, I have been using the products for a week and so far, no bad results.
Diet is another thing you might want to look at. I avoid greasy foods, potato chips are the worst.
Hope this helps in some way.
I work for CVS and we used to carry Avene in our beauty department and i LOVED the products! the Micellar Lotion is actually very good – the exfoliator is my absolute favorite! its very good, especially for really sensitive skin. the makeup removers are the best i’ve tried.
I don’t know about the drug store line, but there is a line of products that Avene sells exclusively through doctors offices. They sell a retrinal (Vitamin A) cream that I LOVE. Its the highest concentration you can get w/o a prescription in the US. .1% I believe (tube is upstairs and I’m lazy). I’d be curious to see if their drug store lines have the same strength and efficacy.
I was recommended this line for my dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin.
It worked okay at first, but became too harsh for my skin pretty fast.
The cleansers were def. not formulated for sensitve skin and I agree with other comments that said the whole line contains way too much fragrance.
Also, it didn´t offer enough moisture for my dry skin.
I still use their thermal water spray. It feels very nice and soothing on my skin.
Overall I had better luck with using meadowfoam oil as a moisturizer and really gentle cleansers from certain etailers 8Garden of Wisdom is a favourite of mine).
Hi Karen,
I love Bioderma’s Atoderm PP emolient cream – it works wonders on skin that’s dry and irritated (e.g. after swimming in a heavily disinfected pool, or trying a cosmetic that didn’t agree with me), or dehydrated by too much airconditioning. I’ve been using it for over five years now, and it’s the best heavy-duty skin-hydrating cream I’ve found. I’m also very satisfied with Bioderma’s sunscreens.
OMG Karen!! We TOTALLY wore neon and leg warmers to the party!! That was our “theme” of the evening, LOL!
Hi Shefali,
LOL… I so rocked neon and leg warmers circa 1984. Sooo tragic!
Hey Karen!
I didn’t know there’s still Longs in the bay area at all? After they took the one out of Serramonte away I felt sad 🙁 lol But anyway I LOVE Avene! I use the stuff from their lines with the pale seafoam green on it, since my skin is severely dry (eczema-inflicted, even on my face, but it went away with this stuff), and the lotion feels so good even on my face, without breaking it out at all. I also have used the bath stuff as a sample from my doctor, and that feels good, too, when my body needs a little TLC from skin-chafing winter days. I love the subtle scent, too! It’s technically non-scented, but it still has a smell to it.
Now I’m totally looking for another Longs, I won’t need to run to a dermatologist’s office anymore, hehe!
Hi Fabienne,
Yup, it’s at the Long’s in Larkspur. 🙂
I have been using the Avene line pretty much religiously now for over 5 years. I developed eczema after my oldest was born and due to other health problems my skin has progressively gotten worse over the years. My eczema has been so bad this year that my dermatologist has me on prescription drugs! My skin is very sensitive and will let me know if it likes a product right away. If my skin says no I break out like crazy!
I LOVE the no-rinse cleanser. Right now because my skin is so dry I am using the milk cleanser – i don’t like it as well because I find it feels a little heavy on my skin, but it does the trick for now. I have used the exfoliating scrub and loved it too. I have also used their cleanance line for acne, I will use the spot treatments and cleansers if I break out, but regular use is too much for my skin. One of my favorites though has to be the thermal water spray. Feels fabulous when my skin is sore – if I have a nasty patch of eczema I spray the thermal water on it and it soothes my skin and quells the itch. I have just picked up some of their anti-aging products and I’m looking forward to trying them out. Don’t want to sound like a walking Avene commercial here, but it has really worked for me and my picky skin.
One word of advice if you are thinking of using the moisturizer my recommendation would be to use the one that is labelled as the light hydrating cream…I found the hydrating cream for sensitive skin (Hydrance Optimale) was too heavy – it also has an SPF 25 in it and it left me looking a fancy shade of white after I put it on! So far its the only product of theirs that I haven’t liked.
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as other people say here in europe (romania) it’s very well known as a good brand.
I always have the thermal water spray with me(at the gym, cycling, sun burn, irritations etc.) and i tried the soothing eye cream which was such a relief for my eyes after i got an irritation from clinique all about eyes.
Avene is awsome!
They have nearly the best anti-aging products in the whole world: look for the Eluag or Ystheal creams, apply it during the night, they contain retinaldehide (vitamin-a or retinol – in very clear and effective form) with using sunscreen every day.
The Hydrance line is heavenly too, it has a Hydrance UV face cream too.
For very severe acne, the Diacn̩al cream is perfect Рapply it every night, using sunscreen and a mattifiant cream during the day, containing AHA and high %of retinaldehide (wich makes it a very good anti-acne, AND anti-age cream) will clean the skin and take away the inflammations.
Also has very great sunscreens, with modern european sunscreens.
I hope that they sell all of the products in the US, it’s deff worth trying, one of the best products in the EU.
I’ve tried the gentle cleanser which is pink and smells lovely and is great. I was thinking of trying their anti aging eye cream but at 31 euro seems steep for drugstore cosmetics. if anyone else has any notes on the eyecream I’d love to know if it’s worth it.
I am in cold Canada and just recently bought this product now claiming to be, paraben and fragrance free. So far I love the feel of my skin. I agree the spray water is amazing for settling makeup for the day!
Hi,
I’m one of the avene user (here in france) and I really like them.
I use soapless gel cleaner, lotion and gentle gel cleaner for make up.
I started to use them while I was living in the UK and now i’m planning to live in canada. I hope i’ll be able to find them in pharmacies
avene has been obtaining amazing results specially with people suffering from eczema. their site posted several testimonials. It is possible to have good products even if they invest heavy on marketing.