Sure, there are plenty of face serums, red light therapy devices, and wrinkle creams to keep your skin glowing all fall and winter, but one not-so-glamorous beauty essential everyone needs this season is a high-quality moisturizer. Face creams and lotions relieve dryness, maintain hydration, and support your skin barrier, which matters most as the weather cools and the air holds less moisture.
My combination skin becomes irritated and develops flaky patches around this time of year, and it only gets worse in winter. To prepare, I beefed up my skincare routine to focus on hydration and barrier protection, so I turned to the best overall moisturizer in our buying guide: Avène’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream. I added the cream into my daily routine, and after a month of testing, this is my honest review.
Pros
- Deeply hydrating
- Restores the skin barrier
- Great for dry, sensitive skin
- Multi-use
Cons
- Formula may feel too thick for some
How I Tested
Over the past month, I’ve used Avène’s cream in the morning and night. I incorporated it into my skincare routine, applying it after cleansing and toning and before sunscreen in the morning. I also tested it with makeup, using the cream as a face primer, and on other areas like my hands, cuticles, and minor burns.
Formula and Feel
The Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream has a rich, occlusive texture, forming a protective seal on the skin’s surface to trap moisture. Keep in mind that this product may feel thicker than your typical moisturizer, but my dehydrated skin loves the instantly quenched feel after applying. The cream leaves a bouncy, dewy finish, and despite having an oily T-zone, I haven’t noticed excessive shine by the end of the day.
To keep my acne in check, my dermatologist prescribed me tretinoin, which I love using in tandem with Avène’s cream. Whenever you increase your tretinoin concentration or frequency of use, it’s normal for your skin to go through a period of dryness or irritation, and this thick moisturizer is my skin’s best friend during that time. Sometimes, I use the sandwich method where I apply a layer of the cream before my tret, and then another layer afterward, to calm my skin during the adjustment period.
Before and After Photos
Before
After
I recently had a dry, red patch flare up next to my nose, and this cream relieved the flakiness nearly overnight. Better yet, it never pills and layers well with my other skincare products like serums, essences, and toners. The same goes for makeup—the moisturizer blends seamlessly with my foundation and concealer and acts as a radiant primer.
Avène’s formula contains soothing thermal water, hydrating beeswax, and C+ Restore, a patented postbiotic ingredient that boosts moisture. Plus, the copper-zinc sulfate complex supports the skin barrier and protects against external irritants like pollutants and dry air. Despite its thicker texture, the fragrance-free and noncomedogenic formula won’t clog pores or cause pimples, dermatologist Marissa Garshick, MD, previously told Women’s Health.
How to Apply
A little goes a long way, so start with a dime-sized amount, then add more to areas that need extra attention. At first, the formula looks white (almost like a mineral sunscreen), but it will absorb as you gently pat it into the skin. I like to apply my moisturizer as the last step in my skincare routine—except SPF in the mornings always goes on last.
This multipurpose cream is also an editor-approved daily face moisturizer for mature skin (it’s the best value pick in our mature skin buying guide). For even more bang for your buck, you can use it as a face mask, makeup primer, hand cream, post-sun treatment, and to soothe minor cuts and scrapes. I recently burned my forearm while curling my hair and used Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream to soothe the area and support healing.
Is this moisturizer right for you?
Sensitive, eczema-prone, or dry skin? Check, check, and check. Avène’s moisturizer is free of fragrance, parabens, sulfates, alcohol, and silicone. Plus, it’s noncomedogenic (so it won’t clog pores if you’re prone to breakouts) and accepted by the National Eczema Association. It’s even safe for babies!
If you have oily skin or prefer a lightweight moisturizer, the Cicalfate+ cream may not be the best fit. However, if you live in a cold climate, it’s always a good idea to have something thick and soothing like this on hand.
The Verdict
When I say I would recommend Avène’s cream to anyone, I mean it. I gifted my 61-year-old dad a tube of the cream (let’s just say his body lotion was no longer cutting it), and he has since repurchased it for himself.
Priced at $40 for the large 3.3 fl. oz. tube, it’s relatively affordable compared to other skincare brands on our list. I’ve been using the cream for over a month and have barely made a dent in my tube, so you’re getting great value.
It’s gentle, deeply hydrating, and suitable for all skin types—what more could I ask for in a daily winter moisturizer?
Shop Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Sidney Lee is the Editor, Deals and Trends, for Best Products, Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Biography, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, and Oprah Daily. She loves keeping up on the latest social media trends and viral pop culture moments to recommend only the best products to readers. Previously, Sidney was the Assistant Home Editor at HGTV Magazine as well as contributing editor at Food Network and The Pioneer Woman Magazines, covering home, food, style, and more. She is based in Manhattan, and outside of work you can find her trying all the latest restaurants the city has to offer.