There’s often a misguided belief that in order to get the best skin care results, you need to drop a lot of money on pricey products. And while I’m the first to sing the praises of an effective luxury item, there are plenty of affordable and easily accessible creams that have earned a devout following. The Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective cream falls squarely under this beloved category, and includes popular celebrities among its legions of fans.
Avène is a French pharmacy brand renowned for its popular range of products, including this nourishing cream. It is designed to drench the skin in rich, hydrating ingredients that can help to restore and strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier, making it ideal for people with dry skin, the winter season or those with sensitivities or eczema.
It’s versatile and supports the microbiome, keeping the skin balanced without clogging pores. The soothing formula can help to calm itchy, irritated skin and can even help manage burns, cuts, scrapes, bug bites, and more. It’s made with a patented protein-rich postbiotic, Avène’s famous thermal spring water and copper sulfate and zinc sulfate — all of which work together to promote skin recovery and leave it soft and smooth.
HuffPost shopping writer Tessa Flores has previously raved about this cream, and how it worked wonders on her eczema-prone skin. “Immediately upon its application, the Avène cream felt soothing on the unbearably itchy and burning patches on my fingers and hands, which were already starting to develop those red, scaly patches and raised bumps consistent with my atopic dermatitis,” she said.
Flores added, “I continued to apply the richly-textured cream throughout the week, noticing that my eczema was improving and my skin was significantly more hydrated than before I started using it. But for as thick as the cream went on initially, it didn’t dry down to be overly greasy on the skin. Rather, it felt like a welcome layer of comfortable protection, and I was able to still use my hands normally.”
And she’s not the only person impressed by this cream. it’s beloved by celebrities known for their flawless skin, like Hailey Bieber, Olivia Culpo, Sofia Richie (who called it her “holy grail” and Alix Earle — along with countless reviewers.
Take a look at what other shoppers have to say and pick up a tube for yourself. It can help to keep your winter skin looking and feeling its very best, and it won’t break the bank — what more could you want?
Promising reviews:
“As a Derm provider I really love this product for myself and patients (as long as there isn’t a prop glycol allergy). It is a great emollient that acts as a barrier cream while having zinc oxide to help soothe inflammatory conditions. I recommend this product to my patients with rosacea, eczema and other inflammatory conditions (of course ask your Derm first). I also like to use it personally at night, applied thicker almost as a mask. By morning my skin barrier feels totally repaired!” — Derm NP
“As an acne prone woman in her late 30s with combination skin and a history of allergic reactions, this cream has been a God send. In combination with the cicalfate serum, it’s restored my skin barrier. I haven’t had skin this smooth in almost 20 years.” — Dayo
“So creamy, perfect for winter. My dermatologist recommended it and I love it. I don’t need a neck cream and a chest cream and an under eye serum and all that stuff. I have extremely sensitive skin and I’m very sensitive to smell smells and this is perfect for me.” — Naomi
“I have dry/resilient/acne prone skin. I started to suffer from some sort of bout of dermatitis on my chin and cheeks. It was such a terrible experience, and nothing helped solve the issue! When I tell you it was GONE in two days of me applying this after washing my face. My skin was glowing and the small breakouts I had CEASED to exist. I recieved many compliments on my skin (that never happens). If youre suffering, get it! Just GET IT!!” — Velvet Fangs
“I honestly dont even know what I would do this product, its the only one I have tried from this brand and will forever always buy it! The way this was the only thing that cleared my acne blew my mind, granted its not for everyone, but i have very very dry skin. Now i mostly use it for my cheeks and whenever i break out, but 10/10 amazing!” — Nat
“I can’t sing the praises of this enough. It hydrates my skin and makes my skin look as glasslike as it can. My husband can’t even believe it is my skin. He thought my picture was filtered until I came home and he saw for himself.” — Claire
Need a few more moisturizer recommendations this winter? Take a look at these derm-approved lotions that won’t clog pores from previous reporting.
A lightweight lotion that can be used on the face and body
Dermatologist Dr. Geeta Yadav said that although the Cerave Daily Moisturizing Lotion is lightweight, it's nourishing thanks to a blend of ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help add hydration into the skin and reinforce the skin barrier, preventing irritation and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). "Though it's best for those with normal to dry skin, those with oily skin can use it when their skin gets drier (in winter, for example)," she said. Not to mention, it can be used on both the face and body, making it great for those who value a low-maintenance skin care routine with minimal products.
This multi-tasking SPF moisturizer that feels like silk
The Tula 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day Cream is a multi-tasking powerhouse. Not only does it act as a moisturizer and sunscreen with its SPF 30, but board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexis Stephens also said it has a silky texture that absorbs quickly, making it ideal for use under makeup as a primer. Plus, it contains "probiotics and ceramides to support the skin barrier without clogging pores," she said.
An SPF-infused moisturizer suitable for all skin types
Yadav is a fan of the Cetaphil Face Moisturizer because it's made with SPF 35 as well as "hydrating glycerin, conditioning panthenol and antioxidants like vitamin E and niacinamide, which also helps calm the skin," she said. Oily skin types will appreciate its matte finish. Because it provides long-lasting hydration for up to 24 hours, it's also suitable for those with dry or combination skin types.
A ceramide moisturizer that provides 48-hour hydration
Looking for long-lasting moisture? You've found it in La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, which comes recommended by Stephens. "This is a go-to for sensitive or acne-prone skin because i’s oil-free and contains ceramide-3, niacinamide and prebiotic thermal water to calm and hydrate the skin without triggering breakouts," she said. "It also helps restore the skin’s moisture barrier, which is often compromised in acne-prone individuals."
A sensitive skin-friendly, barrier-strengthening cream
For a rich yet non-greasy moisturizer, the Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream Moisturizer is the best of both worlds. Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, said it's ideal for those with sensitive skin thanks to a patented blend of barrier-boosting ceramide capsules that allow the ingredient to stay within the skin barrier longer. "This leaves my skin looking glowy for hours — when applied, it feels luxuriously smooth and absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving the skin hydrated and protected without any heavy residue," she said.
A K-beauty collagen jelly that visibly plumps
If glass skin is the goal, this editors' pick is the road to getting there. From the K-beauty brand that you've undoubtedly seen on your For You Page more than a handful of times comes the Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream, a bouncy gel moisturizer that targets uneven skin tone as it hydrates. Instead of thick, pore-clogging oils, it uses hydrolyzed collagen and niacinamide to work its magic.
Promising review: "I was skeptical at 1st but one single I fell in love. A very little goes along way. You can use in a thin layer under makeup or thick for a overnight mask. I like to keep it refrigerated for that extra chill and it feel amazing. It hasn't broken me out and just left me with beautiful glowing hydrating skin. For reference I am 40 with textured acne prone skin. I will definitely recommend and repurchase! Beautiful product." — JustAmble
This quick-absorbing luxury formula for dry skin
Reszko said that the Environ Focus Care Moisture+ Super Moisturiser is perfect for normal to dry skin types that are also sensitive as it's a super hydrating formula that's made without pore-clogging oils. Instead, it's formulated with ingredients like vitamin C and antioxidants to boost skin radiance and improve skin barrier function. Reszko said to use it twice a day — morning and evening — after washing your face.
This probiotic-rich gel-cream hybrid
Hailing from cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson comes the BeautyStat Cosmetics Probiotic 24HR Moisture Boost Cream Moisturizer. Another editors' pick, the gel-cream texture of this moisturizer instantly absorbs into the skin without feeling greasy (oily skin, rejoice), plus it's formulated with hyaluronic acid and a proprietary moisture complex to keep the skin barrier happy (and the pores clear).