As I write this I’m wandering how it’s already been a month since I wrote my last blog post. It feels like it’s been about a week, that’s how crazy life has been at the moment. I’m very happy to report that, the one thing that, thankfully, hasn’t been crazy is been my skin.
For just over a month I’ve been trialling a testing the Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D & Cicalfate products. If you haven’t read my previous post you can check that out there, before continuing with this one. In that post I chat about my skin types, concerns and expected outcome.
As I said in that post, my eczema is environmental so it can be triggered by stress, change of season or something ingested. Because my eczema hasn’t flared up I decided to give my friend Hayley all the products to try on her babies dry, eczema prone skin. So I’ll be sharing some of her thoughts on these products as well as sharing my review on the products I’ve used.
Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D Cleansing Oil (R249.95) – I’ve been using this in the shower everyday and it feels like a little treat every time I use it. Specifically with this product I have two methods for use. On my excessively dry areas (legs, arms and stomach) I’ll do two pumps in the palm of my hands and simply massage this into my skin. For the rest of my body I’ll do two pumps onto a loofah and it lathers up all over my body. Alternatively, if you have bathtub you can do a few pumps into the water. The thing I love most about this product is that my skin actually feels moisturized rather than stripped. It’s funny that I’m so big on not using stopping cleansers on my face but I’ve only just made the link for my body products. If I wouldn’t use a drying and stripping face cleanser I should give my body the same treatment.
Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm Ultra Rich Bar (R99.95) – To be honest I haven’t used this because I always reach for the pump cleansers over a bar but I know Hayley has used this on Rose.
Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid Replenishing Balm (from R299.95) – This is the absolute standout product for me because I haven’t found anything that quenches my skin the way this does. I spoke about this on my IG Stories but the gist is that I genuinely have scales for skin. For instance with most creams my skin soaks up all the moisture and then almost instantly goes back to looking dry, scaling and retile like. The places I’ve felt and seen a difference have been my elbows, legs and back of my arms – the bumps are no longer there and they’re not even remotely ashy by the next day. So if you have extremely dry skin I’d highly recommend trying this product. This is the product Hayley said made the biggest difference in Roses skin.
Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water (from R159.95) – I’ll shout the praises of this product till the day I die! It’s one of those products that you immediately dismiss because you think “it’s just another water mist” but it’s so much more than that. This thermal water forms the basis of all Avène skincare which means that you’re getting the purest form of this healing, soothing and calming water in a can. The mist is super fine and in all the mists I’ve repurchased over the years I’ve never gotten a ‘faulty’ nozzle. It sounds weird but this is the one product I know I’ll use on my kids one day – there’s no doubt that those buggers will have sensitive, irritable skin (considering my skin as a kid)!
Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate Repair Cream (R199.95) – As I said, since I haven’t had any any reactions in the last month I haven’t had a use for this. Just so you know, it can be used as an all purpose salve, for burns, cuts, scratches, cracked skin, nappie rash or post- treatment procedures.
BEFORE 
AFTER
These are some photos of Rosie’s skin before and after a month of using the Avène products. I don’t know about you but these photos speak for themselves! So if you or your kids are suffering with eczema & you’re at your wits end, give these products a go.
I Asked Hayley a few questions about the products she used and these are her answers:
- What product do you think made the most difference?The Lipid Replenishing Balm.
- In what order did you use the products?Used the Cleansing Oil first then lipid replenishing balm and then the Cicalfate Repair Cream on drier spots. Used the spring water to sooth sore bums on both twins and Ava and used Cicalfate Lotion to clear nappy rash (worked really well).
- Did you get the results you were hoping for? It helped a lot with Rose’s dry skin patches. Didnt clear everything up but I think the parts that didnt clear were fungal. I even used the lipid replenishing balm on their dry patches on their scalps and it actually absorbed into the hair. So their hair didnt stay greasy. And it cleared the scalp.
- Will you continue to use these products? I will continue with the lipid replenishing balm for rose.
Incase you don’t know much about Eau Thermale Avène they are a skincare brand originating from the South of France. Avène Thermal Spring Water began its journey when it falls as rain over the Cevennes Mountains, filtering down through the soil and rocks for over 40 years before bubbling up, pure and clear, to the surface at the Sainte-Odile spring. They then direct the water straight from the source to the production plant where the Eau Thermale Avène products are manufactured.
All Avène products are formulated for sensitive, eczema prone skin and many of their products are infant and family friendly.
What are your standout products from Avène? I always love hearing you products recommendations! If this was helpful to you please leave a comment or tell me if you buy or try out any of these products.