With skin needs varying vastly from person to person and skin-care goals and habits as expansive as they are today, it’s rare to find a product that feels like it has no haters. When it comes to skin care, what can be a game-changer for one can wreak havoc on the complexion of another, making universal, crowd-pleasing skin-care recommendations few and far between. In my experience, though, one product that has proven itself to be a must-have for almost everyone is Avène’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream ($26).
Last month, I went to an event with iconic French skin-care brand Avène to learn all about the company’s exciting skin-care innovations coming down the pipe for 2025, but what I was most taken aback by was the brand’s already well-loved Cicalfate+ Restorative Cream. With 45 clinical indications, Avène’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream is pretty much as close to a cure-all as one can get when it comes to skin care, and after just one night of use I too was convinced of the product’s magic powers. Ahead, all the reasons why dermatologists and editors alike can’t get enough of Cicalfate+.
Featured Experts
- Marisa Garshick, MD is a dermatologist in New York
- Dr. Neera Nathan is a dermatologist in Burlington, MA
- Jenny Liu, MD is a dermatologist in Minneapolis, MN
Why We Love Avène Cicalfate+
It’s Great for Post-Procedure Skin
“I love to use and recommend the Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream for post-procedure skin, anyone dealing with a damaged skin barrier or those just wanting a soothing cream, as this cream works to calm, nourish and soothe the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “In addition to using a postbiotic ingredient to support the skin’s microbiome, it helps to boost hydration and uses Avene’s Thermal Spring Water which helps to soften the skin.”
Dr. Nathan agrees, noting that she uses the cream “For post-procedural redness, particularly to help with red or irritated scars after surgical removals,” saying, “My surgical patients really like it and I see great results with it.”
It’s Safe for Even the Most Sensitive Skin
“I use this on my baby’s cheeks—both of my daughters—when they are red or chapped, and it works like magic,” says NewBeauty director of beauty, Britt Fallon. “I try to apply it right when they get out of the bathtub. I use it pretty much anywhere they have a dry or rough patch of skin.”
It Soothes Retinol Burns
“After a run-in with the retinol scaries it seemed like nothing could soothe my angry skin, until I tried Avene,” says NewBeauty senior beauty editor, Allie Hogan. “A combination of Cicalfate+ and its mineral spray absolutely saved my skin.”
It Remedies Post-Acne Irritation, Sunburn and More
“As someone who struggles with not picking a pimple, Avène Cicalfate+ is my go-to choice to repair damage,” says NewBeauty staff writer, Rowan Lynam. “If you’re looking to calm irritation and promote a healthy skin barrier, this is a great choice that also comes in handy to soothe rashes, help skin post-sun exposure and treat razor burn. It really does it all.” I personally would have to agree—just last weekend I got a bit too much sun and came home looking like a tomato. I lathered on Cicalfate+ before bed and when I woke up the next morning you couldn’t tell my embarrassing lack of sunscreen ever occurred.
It’s a Great Overnight Mask
“One evening last winter my face felt extra sensitive and more irritated than usual,” says NewBeauty‘s senior digital content producer, Leiana Foye. “In lieu of my usual moisturizer, I grabbed Avène’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream— a go-to in my medicine cabinet for irritation and dry patches. Since that first night, using the highly soothing barrier cream as a nighttime moisturizer has transformed my complexion from dull and dry to dewy and supple.”
It’s Great for Eczema
On a personal note, Dr. Nathan also says she uses Avène’s Cicalfate+ for treating her own eczema. “I use it for my eczema patches, on any dry or irritated skin or as an allover face cream when I used retinoids,” she says, “I can’t get enough of it!” Dr. Liu agrees, adding “Cicalfate+ is a go-to for patients with eczema, compromised or sensitive skin, and I trust it across a wide range of concerns, from irritation and dryness to recovery after dermatologic procedures.”
