Beauty review: Eau Thermale Avène A-Oxitive Night Peeling Cream

My obsession with French beauty may have started with a red lipstick, but it's French skincare that really turned my head and reeled me in. Packing for Paris means leaving room in your suitcase for one heck of a lot of beauty-related purchases - after all, the city’s legendary pharmacies and perfumeries are impossible to resist.
And it’s not just the products - the philosophy that goes alongside their most famous brands is equally as alluring. French women are very much concerned about looking after their skin and their body in the long term, as opposed to the mainly-US and UK-based beauty approach that looks for results, NOW. This attitude permeates into the New Zealand Australian psyche a lot these days as well – women expect products to work over night, and if they don’t get the results they desire straight away they opt for harsh chemicals and exfoliants that may provide the wow-factor in the short term, but will irreparably damage their skin over time.
Which brings me to Eau Thermale Avène, a legendary French name that is available in New Zealand, and one of most gentle and calming skincare offerings out there. A brand centred on the use of thermal spring water and its soothing properties, all Avène products are created to heal and soothe even the most sensitive skin types. Even children.
One of the most recommended skincare brands by French dermatologists, it works to fight against irritated skin, intolerant skin and allergic skin. Its most famous offering is its Thermal Spring Water, which has calmed my skin over the years even when it’s been at its most eczema-afflicted. A naturally soothing source for sensitive skin since 1743, Avène’s Thermal Spring Water's unique composition is clinically shown by over 150 studies to calm, soothe and soften the skin. Ideal for red, sensitive or irritated skin and perfect for post-workout, travel, outdoor activities or to freshen up makeup, it is incredibly reasonably priced and a must in every bathroom.
So, the brand is famous for its gentle formulations that soothe even the most sensitive of skin, but also its highly efficacious formulations when it comes to the likes of addressing anti-ageing, sun damage and other concerns. The latest subset to be added to its impressive line up is A-Oxitive – a new trio of products designed to protect the skin against external aggressors like oxidative stress and free radicals, revealing a visibly smoother, toned and more glowy complexion.

A standout for me from the new offering is the A-Oxitive Night Peeling Cream, which feels super creamy and gentle, but promises serious results. Used at night, the formula uses innovative technology that means the Pro-Vitamin A (Retinaldehyde) and Vitamin E (Pre-tocopheryl) are gradually released throughout the night for optimal efficacy, excellent tolerance and long-lasting antioxidant protection. The Gradual Release Vitamin A (Retinaldehyde) boosts cellular activity, refines the skin’s texture and evens the skin tone, while the Gradual Release Vitamin E (Pre-tocopheryl) fights against free radicals and is a powerful antioxidant. The key to its soothing approach to skin turnover is Evening Primrose oil, which is rich in fatty acids and vitamins to help nourish the skin and restore its balance. Oh and last but not least, the cream is rich in Avène Thermal Spring Water for its soothing and anti-irritating properties.

I love that this beauty absorbs quickly for a non-greasy, velvety finish, and by morning, your skin texture is visibly refined and pores are definitely tightened. With an RRP of less than $60 and with proven results, this new beauty from Eau Thermale Avène is destined to be an icon.

Main photo by Park Street on Unsplash