Avène is a French pharmacy brand probably best known for their thermal water spray which makes for a nice face mist/in between skincare steps spritz - personally I prefer something with a bit more jazz, and I'm not a fan of water only sprays, but that's just me - but as with all French pharmacy brands it has other hidden gems that aren't talked about nearly as much as they should be. Like most of these pharmacy brands, most of the products all look the same and their odd mix of bland/complicated names belie the fantastic ingredients they contain. I had never given the Clearance range a second thought until I came across this little beauty in my tiny local pharmacy while I was waiting to get a prescription filled. I turned it over to have a look at the ingredients and to my surprise saw that it contained not only glycolic acid but also some salycilic. Intrigued, I took it home with me.
Product Description
Size - 50ml
Packaging - Simple white tube, screw on lid
Price - varies but I paid €14.90
Directions - Apply a layer to entire face, leave for 5 minutes and rinse (I massaged mine in before removing)
Claims - To both physically and chemically exfoliate skin. Contains Kaolin to absorb excess oil and mattify, and their signature Eau Thermale to soothe.
Ingredients - Avene thermal spring water ; triethylhexanoin ; kaolin cetearyl alcohol ; glyceril stearate ; glycolic acid ; water ; sodium hydroxide ; polyethylene ; ceteareth-33 ; cyclopentasioloxane , caprylic/capric glycerides ; titanium dioxide (ci 77891) ; zinc ; gluconate ; bisaolol ; cetrimonium bromide ; cyclohexasiloxae ; parfum ; glyceryl laurate ; pyroxin hcl ; salicylic acid ; xanthan gum.
Texture - Sparse exfoliating particles in a creamy clay base
Smell - Fresh, faint
How often? I would say no more than twice a week.
For who? Pretty much anyone who isn't intolerant to acids or has some trapped sebum/blocked pores/blackheads/texture.
When? Day or night. Make-up goes on beautifully after this. WEAR SPF.
Looking at the product description, it seems that this mask shouldn't work for me - it's specifically formulated for oily/acne prone skin whereas I'm more dry/dehydrated. However, having at least some knowledge of ingredients list I ignored the general description and zeroed in on the AHA/BHA content.
The first time I used this I only applied it to my nose and chin - the only two areas of my face that get slightly oily/congested. I have some sebum deposits on my chin that create texture and oil and I was looking for something to smooth and clean them out. Although the instructions say 5 minutes, you know me and acids - I probably left it on for closer to ten. I got a definite stinging sensation which was exciting as that is the norm for a good glycolic based product, it means it's working!
*If you use this and experience a burning sensation rather than a stinging, remove immediately - you may be having a reaction. As usual I would recommend you patch test.
I removed it with a warm flannel and rinced twice to ensure that it was all off as leaving traces of an AHA/BHA mask on your face is a sure fire way to irritate the skin.
Immediately after I could see a difference - my chin was clearer and a great part of the congestion had been cleared out - it felt smooth to the touch and exfoliated, and any extra oil had been soaked up by the clay content. The pores on my nose also looked smooth and clearer. I now use it twice a week on my nose and chin.
I really love this mask, so much so that it has replaced my Alpha H Micro Cleanse Super Scrub - this is far more effective in my opinion and the added clay content really gets into those pesky pores.
While this mask can be easily found in France in any decent pharmacy, if you're in Ireland I've found it here at Meaghers Pharmacy for €16, and they deliver. If you're in the UK you can find it here on Escentual for £15. In the UAE they seem to stock it here on Souq for 129 AED, and in the USA Amazon or any good pharmacies that stock French skincare.
If you love a bit of AHA/BHA action with the added benefit of cleansing clay, you will love this mask - let me know if you've tried it!
Thanks for reading!
A
Doyouevencleanse Instagram (daily pics, IG stories rambling...!)
Doyouevencleanse Facebook Group
Product Description
Size - 50ml
Packaging - Simple white tube, screw on lid
Price - varies but I paid €14.90
Directions - Apply a layer to entire face, leave for 5 minutes and rinse (I massaged mine in before removing)
Claims - To both physically and chemically exfoliate skin. Contains Kaolin to absorb excess oil and mattify, and their signature Eau Thermale to soothe.
Ingredients - Avene thermal spring water ; triethylhexanoin ; kaolin cetearyl alcohol ; glyceril stearate ; glycolic acid ; water ; sodium hydroxide ; polyethylene ; ceteareth-33 ; cyclopentasioloxane , caprylic/capric glycerides ; titanium dioxide (ci 77891) ; zinc ; gluconate ; bisaolol ; cetrimonium bromide ; cyclohexasiloxae ; parfum ; glyceryl laurate ; pyroxin hcl ; salicylic acid ; xanthan gum.
Texture - Sparse exfoliating particles in a creamy clay base
Smell - Fresh, faint
How often? I would say no more than twice a week.
For who? Pretty much anyone who isn't intolerant to acids or has some trapped sebum/blocked pores/blackheads/texture.
When? Day or night. Make-up goes on beautifully after this. WEAR SPF.
Looking at the product description, it seems that this mask shouldn't work for me - it's specifically formulated for oily/acne prone skin whereas I'm more dry/dehydrated. However, having at least some knowledge of ingredients list I ignored the general description and zeroed in on the AHA/BHA content.
The first time I used this I only applied it to my nose and chin - the only two areas of my face that get slightly oily/congested. I have some sebum deposits on my chin that create texture and oil and I was looking for something to smooth and clean them out. Although the instructions say 5 minutes, you know me and acids - I probably left it on for closer to ten. I got a definite stinging sensation which was exciting as that is the norm for a good glycolic based product, it means it's working!
*If you use this and experience a burning sensation rather than a stinging, remove immediately - you may be having a reaction. As usual I would recommend you patch test.
I removed it with a warm flannel and rinced twice to ensure that it was all off as leaving traces of an AHA/BHA mask on your face is a sure fire way to irritate the skin.
Immediately after I could see a difference - my chin was clearer and a great part of the congestion had been cleared out - it felt smooth to the touch and exfoliated, and any extra oil had been soaked up by the clay content. The pores on my nose also looked smooth and clearer. I now use it twice a week on my nose and chin.
I really love this mask, so much so that it has replaced my Alpha H Micro Cleanse Super Scrub - this is far more effective in my opinion and the added clay content really gets into those pesky pores.
While this mask can be easily found in France in any decent pharmacy, if you're in Ireland I've found it here at Meaghers Pharmacy for €16, and they deliver. If you're in the UK you can find it here on Escentual for £15. In the UAE they seem to stock it here on Souq for 129 AED, and in the USA Amazon or any good pharmacies that stock French skincare.
If you love a bit of AHA/BHA action with the added benefit of cleansing clay, you will love this mask - let me know if you've tried it!
Thanks for reading!
A
Doyouevencleanse Instagram (daily pics, IG stories rambling...!)
Doyouevencleanse Facebook Group
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