Avene Eau Thermale Water Spray - Holiday Essential

Turkey was hot, really hot! Most days it was over 35ºC with not a cloud in the sky... luckily for me I had the best cooling companion.. no not an ice cold slushie, but this mist spray from Avene.

Avene Eau Thermale Water Spray, I bought the travel sized 50ml version to try it out and finally find out what all the fuss is about. I am happy to say that it lived up to the hype. I found it indispensable, one of my holiday essentials beside the pool and on the beach.

Avene say 

Essential soothing care product for sensitive, hypersensitive, allergic and irritated skin.
Soothing action, sunburn, after anti-acne treatment, nappy rash, various forms of irritations, razor burn, after hair removal.
Comforting and refreshing action, to complete skin cleansing, to set make-up, after outdoor activity, in summer when travelling.

My thoughts 

As a multi-purpose product I used this as a toner after cleansing, day and night. I also popped it in the fridge overnight so I could use it out and about during the day. On the first day of being in the Sun I could feel the skin on my face feeling tight and this wonder spray sorted it out immediately. One fine mist spritz later (it really is a super fine mist) and my skin felt super soft and comfortable, I was hooked. 

Cooling, soothing and refreshing this works a treat. 

A must have in your travel bag.

Avene Eau Thermale Water Spray is available in 50ml (£3.15), 150ml and 300ml cans. 

The Micellar Cleansing Water Blind Trial With Escentual.com Results Are In!

Back in May I took part in the Micellar Blind Trial held by Escentual.com,7 micellar waters were put to the test and our thoughts were collated... you can read more about what we were asked to rate by clicking here. Yesterday they announced which sample was which product and which one came out on top

The products tested

A- Dior Instant Cleansing Water 
B - Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals
C - Caudalie Make-Up Remover Cleanser Water
D - Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-Up Remover
E- La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution
F- Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution
G -Vichy Purete Thermale Calming Cleansing Micellar Solution

Well my favourite turned out to be Sample D the Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser - I wrote the following comments "It felt so smooth, like cleansing with water and has a lovely soft, delicate scent. Absolutely loved it."

Avene say - 

The no-rinse formula is ideal those who suffer from sensitive skin, and those whose complexions are susceptible to repeated aggressions. Sensitised and fragile skin can often look dull, red, itchy and tight, meaning it requires extra gentle care to restore its natural balance.

However the sample that came out on top, being the favourite of 22.1% of trialists was Sample F Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution. What is interesting is that it is a rather iconic product with many raving about it in the beauty world, well now it seems it was the favourite in blind trials too.

Personally I liked the product and would use it again but it wasn't my outright favourite.

To read the full results of the blind trial click here

Thanks Escentual.com for allowing me to be part of the blind trial, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Avene Hydrance Optimale UV Light SPF 20 Protective Hydrating Cream - Review

Still on my quest to find a moisturiser with a high SPF that would suit my skin and leave it nicely moisturised I purchased - Avene Hydrance Optimale UV Light SPF 20 Protective Hydrating Cream.


Last year I filled in a form on the Avene website where they would suggest products to suit your requirements and send out tiny samples to try. This was one of the products sent.

Claims -

This moisturiser is listed as being suitable for normal to combination sensitive dehydrated skin. A hydrating moisturiser to protect the skin from daily aggressions and help prevent skin ageing caused by the sun. It also has a light mattifying effect. As with all Avene products, the ingredients include Avene Thermal Spring Water. Paraben free.

My thoughts -

This is a bit of a product rave..

In short this is perfect for my skin type, It doesn't irritate or make it react at all.

The product comes in a squeezy tube container. The scent is so gentle, it is barely detectable but is similar to the soapy smell of the Gel Cleanser I recently reviewed. Texture wise it is a light fluid that absorbs into the skin immediately leaving my skin feeling hydrated and soft all day. As it has a mattifying effect, the skin doesn't glow (though it is bright) but on the upside I don't get an oily t zone as the day goes on. For an SPF product I am so pleased it moisturises whilst protecting. I would definitely repurchase.

I bought the Avene Hydrance Optimale UV Light SPF 20 Protective Hydrating Cream 40ml at Boots, I cannot find my receipt but I am sure I paid around £14 for it.

Avene Gentle Gel Cleanser - Review

I recently filled an online questionnaire on the Avene website and based on my replies I was sent a few trial size samples of products (a cleanser, toner and moisturiser) that were recommended for my skin type and requirements.

One of the products that was sent to me was the

Avene Gentle Gel Cleanser for normal to combination sensitive skin

I am not a huge fan of rinse off cleansers or washes, I find that they leave a tight feeling on my face and it is not a feeling that I am too fond of. However I did like this one and thought I would do a review for those of you who do like using a wash off cleanser.

Avene say -


This very mild gel cleanser removes all traces of make-up from the face, the eyes and lips. It leaves the skin soft and supple. Its rich texture has been enriched with moisturising agents to prevent skin dryness.


My thoughts - 


All Avene products contain Avene Thermal Spring Water as an ingredient. This gel cleanser is lovely to use, it is quite thick, rich and creamy. As you apply it onto your face with a touch of water, it produces a nice lather, feels like it is melting off your make-up and providing a good and thorough clean. After massaging it in, you rinse it off. The cleanser has a traditional soapy scent.

The huge plus for me is how clean and soft my skin feels after use and with no sign of that tight feeling that I hate.

I found it to perform exactly how it is described by Avene and felt that it really was nice and gentle.

Personally, I won't be buying the full size version,  as mentioned it is not my preferred cleansing method  but as a wash off cleanser, this is really good.

Another products sent to me was the Hydrance Optimale UV Light SPF 20 Protective Hydrating Cream. I was really impressed with it that I will be buying the full size version of this very soon, I will do a review of it once I have purchased it.

Avene Gentle Gel Cleaner costs £11.50 for a 200ml bottle