Hey, skin care fanatics: We’ve found an on-sale French moisturizer that reviewers deem the “holy grail” of them all, and it’s definitely worth a look considering our very own Senior Shopping writer and beauty expert Tessa Flores swears by this stuff for her eczema. Called “THE skin care product” by one reviewer and a “welcome layer of comfortable protection” from Flores herself, Avène’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream is a powerful moisturizer for restoring your skin barrier, soothing cuts, scrapes and eczema-prone skin, healing localized dry skin and so much more. And right now, you grab a bottle of it for 30% off at Amazon and Ulta. You’re gonna have to hurry, though — we’re not sure how much longer this deal will last.
This restorative cream has 45 reported uses.
If you’re unsure if this moisturizing cream is right for you, we’ll take a bet that it likely is — especially as Avène lists this many uses for the stuff. You can use it as a topical agent for soothing scrapes, general discomfort and tightness; as a moisture treatment for post-laser and -cosmetic procedures; restoring a compromised skin barrier; creating a skin barrier around a flaky or cracked area; or just as an everyday moisturizer.
It’s eve gentle enough for babies!
The cream is also terrific for skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, acne, and more.
Flores says when her chronic eczema causes her itchy, red skin to flare up and upset her daily routine, she uses this cream to help mellow it out. “I continued to apply the richly-textured cream throughout the week, noticing that my eczema was improving and my skin was significantly more hydrated than before I started using it,” she says.
“But for as thick as the cream went on initially, it didn’t dry down to be overly greasy on the skin. Rather, it felt like a welcome layer of comfortable protection, and I was able to still use my hands normally.”
“I’ve been using this for close to a year and it is amazing for my super sensitive and dry skin,” says one Amazon reviewer. “I have perioral dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and rosacea and live in Minnesota with bitter cold and the heater running over half the year. Cicalfate cream doesn’t flare any of these and it helps reduce redness and completely resolves dry skin.”
It’s also loaded with helpful ingredients that users say helps reduce the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines.
Not only is this moisturizer great for reducing dry skin and puffiness. It’s also great for reducing visible wrinkles, fine lines and more.
“This cream has improved my skin on my face in so many ways,” says a reviewer named Brandi. “It’s helped dryness, redness and reduced my fine lines. I soak it on my face every night before bed.”
“My skin is hydrated, DEEP forehead wrinkles are minimized, and my rosacea is the most tame that it’s ever been,” says another reviewer. “After one week, I’ve tossed out creams from Beekman, F.A.B., and Biossance because this humble cream outperforms them all.”
Grab this eczema-approved protective cream for 30% off while you can, and check out some promising reviews from Ulta down below.
“I can’t sing the praises of this enough. It hydrates my skin and makes my skin look as glasslike as it can. My husband can’t even believe it is my skin. He thought my picture was filtered until I came home and he saw for himself.” — Claire
“I was hesitant to purchase this after the reviews talking about it separating. But I was having a ton of issues with dry, irritated, skin out of nowhere. I took a chance and could not recommend this more. I shook the container in advance to hear if there was separated liquid, then also massaged the tube to make sure it was completely mixed together before opening. I used this on my face and woke up with very moisturized skin. I think it is going to make a huge difference in my dermal barrier. I paired it with the lip version as well. If you’re on the fence, buy it!” — Lauren
“I’m not the type to leave reviews, this is my first one ever! but I have been struggling to find a night time moisturizer for my sensitive skin, i struggled with dry patches, a damaged skin barrier and acne/acne scars and this product absolutely changed that within the first week of using. My makeup sticks better on my skin, no more dry patches, and i’ve even noticed my acne scars have faded. I’ve tried all kinds of moisturizers with Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, and other popular ingredients that are supposed to repair barriers and are “meant for sensitive skin” but my skin has not reacted well to those so if you have skin like mine i recommend trying this product out! I wish i had pictures but i truly did not expect such a great outcome.” — Gliss
Looking for more skin care recommendations? Check out these non-comedogenic moisturizing formulas from HuffPost Shopping contributor Michelle Rostamain.
An SPF-infused moisturizer suitable for all skin types (up to 30% off)
Yadav is a fan of the Cetaphil Face Moisturizer because it's made with SPF 35 as well as "hydrating glycerin, conditioning panthenol and antioxidants like vitamin E and niacinamide, which also helps calm the skin," she said. Oily skin types will appreciate its matte finish. Because it provides long-lasting hydration for up to 24 hours, it's also suitable for those with dry or combination skin types. You can take 15% off a bottle at Amazon or take 30% off at Ulta.
A ceramide moisturizer that provides 48-hour hydration (22% off)
Looking for long-lasting moisture? You've found it in La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, which comes recommended by Stephens. "This is a go-to for sensitive or acne-prone skin because i’s oil-free and contains ceramide-3, niacinamide and prebiotic thermal water to calm and hydrate the skin without triggering breakouts," she said. "It also helps restore the skin’s moisture barrier, which is often compromised in acne-prone individuals." You can grab a bottle from Amazon for as much as 22% off right now!
A layerable gel moisturizer for oily and acne-prone skin (30% off)
Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer is a gel-based moisturizer that "works beautifully for oily and acne-prone skin types," said Stephens. "It's non-comedogenic and features hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate without feeling greasy or heavy on the skin." Plus, it layers well under sunscreen and makeup. Grab this moisturizer for 30% off at Walmart today!
A sensitive skin-friendly, barrier-strengthening cream
For a rich yet non-greasy moisturizer, the Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream Moisturizer is the best of both worlds. Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, said it's ideal for those with sensitive skin thanks to a patented blend of barrier-boosting ceramide capsules that allow the ingredient to stay within the skin barrier longer. "This leaves my skin looking glowy for hours — when applied, it feels luxuriously smooth and absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving the skin hydrated and protected without any heavy residue," she said.
A lightweight lotion that can be used on the face and body
Dermatologist Dr. Geeta Yadav said that although the Cerave Daily Moisturizing Lotion is lightweight, it's nourishing thanks to a blend of ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help add hydration into the skin and reinforce the skin barrier, preventing irritation and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). "Though it's best for those with normal to dry skin, those with oily skin can use it when their skin gets drier (in winter, for example)," she said. Not to mention, it can be used on both the face and body, making it great for those who value a low-maintenance skin care routine with minimal products.
A K-beauty collagen jelly that visibly plumps
If glass skin is the goal, this editors' pick is the road to getting there. From the K-beauty brand that you've undoubtedly seen on your For You Page more than a handful of times comes the Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream, a bouncy gel moisturizer that targets uneven skin tone as it hydrates. Instead of thick, pore-clogging oils, it uses hydrolyzed collagen and niacinamide to work its magic.
Promising review: "I was skeptical at 1st but one single I fell in love. A very little goes along way. You can use in a thin layer under makeup or thick for a overnight mask. I like to keep it refrigerated for that extra chill and it feel amazing. It hasn't broken me out and just left me with beautiful glowing hydrating skin. For reference I am 40 with textured acne prone skin. I will definitely recommend and repurchase! Beautiful product." — JustAmble
This multi-tasking SPF moisturizer that feels like silk
The Tula 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day Cream is a multi-tasking powerhouse. Not only does it act as a moisturizer and sunscreen with its SPF 30, but board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexis Stephens also said it has a silky texture that absorbs quickly, making it ideal for use under makeup as a primer. Plus, it contains "probiotics and ceramides to support the skin barrier without clogging pores," she said.
This dermatologist-formulated moisturizer that feels like second skin
The only thing better than a feather-light moisturizer is one that plumps the skin at the same time. Cue the Facile Barely There Hyaluronic Acid Lightweight Moisturizer, one of our editors' picks which was formulated by a dermatologist and uses skin-boosting panthenol and squalane to leave skin looking and feeling baby-soft.
Promising review: "I love Facile’s moisturizer! I’ve been using Facile for over a year and love the lightweight feel of this and it’s perfect for day and night. My go to!" — stephnina
This probiotic-rich gel-cream hybrid
Hailing from cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson comes the BeautyStat Cosmetics Probiotic 24HR Moisture Boost Cream Moisturizer. Another editors' pick, the gel-cream texture of this moisturizer instantly absorbs into the skin without feeling greasy (oily skin, rejoice), plus it's formulated with hyaluronic acid and a proprietary moisture complex to keep the skin barrier happy (and the pores clear).
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