Thursday, February 10, 2011

Avène Redness Relief Soothing Cream (SPF 25) - Review

I'm a little behind in reviews but I couldn't wait any longer to write this one.
Today's review is on the Avène Redness Relief Soothing Cream. I haven't hated a product this much to want to review it but here I go!


Avène says:
Light green cream neutralizes and helps minimize the appearance of redness while improving microcirculation and providing broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection

- Helps minimize the appearance of swelling
- Helps reduce the appearance of redness
- Improves overall vein health
- Clinically proven to reduce the amount of recurrences of flushing and blushing
- Broad spectrum SPF25 protects skin and helps prevent future redness
- Avène Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften the skin
- Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

Basically, this cream is for redness-prone skin. A few examples Avène provides:
- Intermittent redness (Flushes)
- Persistent redness (Rosacea)

- Dilated, enlarged blood vessels
- Bumps or pimples
- Burning, stinging, flushing

Like with any sunscreen or cream with SPF, apply generously onto thoroughly cleansed skin and 15 minutes prior to sun exposure!

[Review]
I love the idea of cream or moisturizer that neutralizes the redness in my skin. However, Avène's "light green" is far too light to do neutralize or conceal anything. It's so light in color that I feel as if I'm imagining the green in the cream. I am still as red as before I applied the cream.
I'm constantly trying to reduce the redness around my nose, on pimples and cheeks but nothing seems to work. I have thin facial skin (got it from my mama) and years of hot towel abuse caused broken capillaries on the cheeks. Don't worry though, my case is very very mild and the capillaries are extremely tiny but altogether, I constantly look like I'm blushing. Or perhaps I look like I've applied my blush all splotchy. I don't even bother concealing the mess anymore. All I want is to heal my skin in some sense. I expected my "vein health" to improve but I've not experience this whatsoever. I always have atleast one tiny flare up and this cream does not minimize the appearance of swelling either.
Of course the SPF prevents future redness but I expect a minimum SPF of 30 for real protection. I do not want to be settling with SPF25 during the summer. During the winter, maybe. But wait, wait, wait! This cream offers preventative measures while claiming to cure the present issues. However, we already know this cream fails at helping and reducing redness now so why expect for a better future?
Other bad news - this formula sucks.
Reminder: I have dry skin and the occasional dry patches.
This cream doesn't cause breakouts or further sensitivities but even the smallest dot of product makes me look greasier than melted butter. If those who suffer from dry skin turn into greaseballs after using this cream, what makes you think anyone with oily skin is capable of handling this formula??
My best comment comment is that the scent is.. average; Avène's signature scent(?). Not floral, not fruity. Maybe even soothing - not strong at all, quite light! The cream comes housed in a tube; good for hygiene freaks and good at maintaining the potency of the ingredients!! As for the ingredients, I only found ingredients Avène specialize in and my gift set didn't include a list of ingredients. Oh well, you can deal with this:
Avène Thermal Spring Water (45%)
- Soothes, softens, calms and cools
Dextran sulfate (0.3%)
- Helps minimize the appearance of swelling
Ruscus extract (0.2%)
- Improves overall vein health
Hesperidin methyl chalcone (0.2%)
- Helps reduce the appearance of redness
Titanium dioxide, Octinoxate, Octocrylene
- Provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection

If I wasn't clear before, I do not recommend this cream at all. My best advice is to find a separate sunscreen and moisturizer/cream and use them in conjuction of each other.
On the other hand, I'd certainly recommend Avène's Thermal Spring Water. I've tried the Evian mist and it does not compare to how well Avène works. I know they're essentially both water in spray cans but Avène really helps sooth redness and calm any burning or stinging skin!                    
Much Love
(just not in the review),

6 comments:

Shop N' Chomp said...

Greasier than melted butter? YIKES! Count me OUT. Thanks for the review ;)

Ashley said...

I honestly look like I've applied melted butter on my face after using this cream. I've tried blotting to reduce shine & greasiness but no avail!
I'm glad I saved someone from this terrible cream :)

Unknown said...

Wow! What a review! You are so extremely thorough and I admire that :) haha But wow, this cream sounds pretty useless! Especially if it's like melted butter on your face :/

Ashley said...

Thank you! I do try my best to be thorough but not thoroughly long... I think I did pretty well for this review ^^

I've never come across a cream that made me look sooo oily and greasy. Blegh :\

Tracy@BeautyReflections said...

I've always wondered about this cream-great review. I find most of these green creams do nothing. I think the Clinique one is the best I've tried.

Ashley said...

Tracy,
I haven't tried Clinique's yet though I might in the future if my redness gets worse. I wouldn't have tried the Avène cream if it hadn't of come in the gift set I bought. I'm more of a gel-cream gal.

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Make-Up Kismet is a personal blog written and edited by myself. This blog was created to share my experiences with whom ever reads it.

All reviews posted are written by me and are my honest opinions. All products reviewed are purchased by me for personal and/or review purposes unless stated otherwise. Each person is different, as are our experiences. With that said, I cannot be held responsible for any unsatisfying reaction to a product I review or recommend.

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