Avène Eye Cream, Moisturiser and Mask

My previous post focuses on the cleansing products, this is all about hydration!

AVÈNE SOOTHING EYE CONTOUR CREAM  

This is to replace the Korean Mizon snail eye cream. I am really not used to the small tube as compared to the generous size of Mizon eye cream. Then again, a little goes a long way for this one! 

Description:Protect the most sensitive part of your face with the Soothing Eye Contour Cream from Avène, specialists in gentle and sensitive skin care. The eye cream boasts a formula, made up of moisturising and anti-free radical actives, which works to hydrate your eye contour ensuring that the delicate skin is always left in the best possible condition. 

The powerful yet gentle formula uses the Avène Thermal Spring Water as a base, which alleviates tightness and the appearance of redness on the skin, whilst also including Alpha Bisabolol, which helps to calm the eye contour, as well as Dextran Sulphate, which calms sensitive eyelids thanks to its well-known cooling properties. Appropriate for all types of sensitive skin, the Avène Soothing Eye Contour Cream will leave you with perfectly hydrated and protected skin. A.W. Paraben-free. Non-comedogenic. Hypoallergenic.  

Instruction:
Apply to the area around your eyes morning and night after cleansing. Apply a small amount of the product by gently massaging and then gently dab around the eyes. 

Ingredients:
Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua). Mineral Oil (Paraffin Liquidum). Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. Cyclomethicone. Glycerin. Sucrose Stearate. Peg-12. Sucrose Distearate. Triethanolamine. Batyl Alcohol. Bisabolol. Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides. Carbomer. Dextran Sulfate. Disodium Edta. Sodium Hyaluronate. Tocopheryl Glucoside.

Verdict: A small amount goes a long way with this, it’s well absorbed leaving the skin soft and supple. I don’t know if it helps with wrinkles or lines since I don’t have deep wrinkles yet, but I do have some fine creases due to the dryer climate in Perth. 

AVÈNE RICH COMPENSATING CREAM

This is to replace my favorite Mizon snail cream. I figure I really need something more hydrating for the colder season anyway.

Description:

Nourish dry and sensitive skin with the Rich Compensating Cream from Avène, specialists in gentle and sensitive skin care. Boasting a smooth and rich, creamy texture, the compensating cream keeps skin hydrated throughout the day helping it to heal and stay soft, smooth and supple.

Plant based active ingredients make up the formula helping the cream to restore any essential lipids that may have been lost due to irritation and damage whilst improving the skin’s natural protective barrier. Pretocopheryl keeps the skin protected from external aggressors and the ageing effect of free radicals. Thanks to the Avène Rich Compensating Cream you will be left with a radiant and revitalised complexion. A.W. Non-comedogenic. Hypoallergenic. Paraben free.

Instruction: 
Apply the cream morning and night to your face and neck after cleansing and toning.

Ingredients: 

Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua), Cyclomethicone, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Decyl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Benzoic Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Bht, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Chlorphenesin, Disodium Edta, Fragrance (Parfum), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract (Glycine Soja), Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Water (Aqua), Xanthan Gum.

Verdit: It gives me the hydration I need for colder season. It is very light on skin yet hydrating. They have another cream that is Extremely rich compensation cream which I am quite interested to try on my next order. That would be great when winter comes. I am currently using this at night, but I might switch it up to day cream when it gets dryer and colder. 

AVÈNE SOOTHING MOISTURE MASK 

I love mask, cream mask, clay mask, sheet masks! I managed to get some Korean sheet masks in, and I am focusing on aqua feature to hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate the skin. One of the advantages of living in Singapore is the humidity in the air; our skin tend to age quite gracefully aka resistant to wrinkles due to the humidity level. The downside is probably oily T-zone and breakouts I guess. I am getting fine lines on my skin, so I am frantically trying to remedy and reverse the effects. :P  

Description:Care for dehydrated and weak skin with the Soothing Moisture Mask from Avène, specialists in gentle and sensitive skin care. Perfect for sensitive skin suffering symptoms of redness, tightness and stinging caused by environmental aggressors, the moisturising mask will leave the skin with a healthy and radiant appearance. 

The rich, creamy formula is made up of the Avène Thermal Spring Water meaning that your skin benefits from the soothing and anti-irritating properties of the water whilst Triglycerides help to restore the hydrolipic barrier therefore nourishing dehydrated skin. The mask works to restore the skin’s natural barrier meaning that the skin absorbs more water and therefore increases the skin’s levels of hydration. Appropriate for all types of sensitive skin, the Avène Soothing Moisture Mask will leave you with soft, smooth and supple skin boasting a healthy glow. A.W. Paraben-free. 

Instruction:Apply the mask in thick layers to the face and neck. Leave for 10 to 15 minutes and remove the excess product with a cotton pad. 

Ingredients:Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua), Mineral Oil (Paraffin Liquidum), Stearic Acid.Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil (CarthamusTinctorius), Hydrogenated Palm/Palm Kernel Oil Peg-6 Esters, Triethanolamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina). Peg-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Carbomer, Disodium Edta, Fragrance (Parfum), Phenyl Trimethicone 

Verdict: Haven’t used it enough times to know if it’s helping with my goal of remedying and reversing the fine lines - I guess preventing further damage is more plausible, while it may take a lot more time and effort to reverse the effect. I do like how it leaves my skin feeling very hydrated but not oily. Different from heavy moisturiser infused mask, this hydrates deeply and doesn’t leave any film of product. Quite impressive for a small price tag. 

Have you used Avène products? What do you use and how do you find them?

Avène Cleanse and Tone

I am gradually switching out from my Korean skincare range for reasons mentioned in my previous post.

Avène products are not new to me. Coming from Singapore, we are accessible to most of the brands, and that also means that skincare products are highly competitive too. I used to use their thermal water mist, and that’s about it.

I first discovered Micellar (water) lotion when I moved to Denmark 2 months ago and was planning some road trips, so I explored into skincare products “on the go” that are simplified but effective. I chanced upon the Micellar lotion and instantly hooked!

AVÈNE MICELLAR LOTION 

I have tried another brand of micellar water in prior to Avène’s, but I am definitely loving Avène’s because it smells so good! 

Description:Specially developed for sensitive skin and the delicate eye area, the Micellar Lotion from Avène gently removes dirt, make-up and impurities. Formulated with mild cleansing agents and the brand's Thermal Spring Water to support the skin's natural protective barrier, whilst leaving skin supple, smooth and soft. With its no-rinse formula, the soothing lotion prevents irritation and dryness by boosting moisture levels for healthy-looking skin and a balanced complexion. E.N. Paraben free.

Instruction:Apply the Micellar Lotion with a cotton pad to the face. No-rinse formula.

Ingredients:Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua). Pentylene Glycol. Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides. Disodium Edta. Fragrance (Parfum). Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil. Sclerotium Gum. Sodium Benzoate. Sodium Chloride.

• Basically, it’s a no-rinse cleanser, so you see why it is ideal for traveling or on road trips when you want to pack light, but not compromising on skincare routine. I use this to remove basic makeup like non-waterproof eyeliner, CC/BB cream on face, and lip stain. I do use proper eye makeup remover to remove waterproof mascara though.  

  Verdict: I really love it!

  AVÈNE GENTLE MILK CLEANSER
  I am running out of my AHA gentle cleanser, and I am finding my skin dryer now so I decide to switch it out to something gentler and more hydrating - I still have my AHA exfoliator and mask, so I am covered in the exfoliation department.
  
  I only ordered Avène cleanser on my third order on lookfantastic after I have tried some of the Avène’s products. 
  Description:
  The Gentle Milk Cleanser from Avène intensely hydrates dry and extremely dry skin. Specially formulated with mild cleansing agents to gently remove dirt, make-up and impurities, the milky cleanser leaves skin supple with a silky smooth texture. Enriched with the brand's kind-to-skin Thermal Spring Water to prevent irritation and restore the skin's natural protective barrier. No need to rinse, the cleanser allows you to experience healthy-looking, revitalised skin, without leaving behind any sticky residue. E.N.
  
  Instruction:
  Apply with fingertips or damp cotton wool and massage lightly with light circular movements. Remove excess product using a cotton pad.
  Ingredients:
  Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua). Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum). Propylene Glycol. Peg-6 Stearate. Peg-32 Stearate. Butylparaben. Carbomer. Fragrance (Parfum). Phenoxyethanol. Propylene Glycol Stearate Se. Sodium Hyaluronate. Stearic Acid. Triethanolamine. Trisodium Edta.
  • Verdict: I have only used it a few times, but so far it cleanses really well, and doesn’t dry out my skin, so that’s a super plus point. I love how it leaves the skin soft and supple. Definitely a keeper.

    AVÈNE GENTLE TONER 

    This is to replace my favorite Korean toner mist (infused with vitamins!). All Avène products have a powdery scent, which is really pleasant. I am not exactly a fragrance-free person, as I find fragrance-free actually reeks of plastic and odd smell. I like some light refreshing scent that is not overwhelming, which adds pleasure (to olfactory) to the routine. 

    Description:
    The Gentle Toner from Avène effectively tones skin to deliver a fresh and rebalanced complexion. Specially developed for dry and sensitive skin, the delicate toner is formulated with natural silicates to shield the skin from environmental aggressors, whilst restoring the skin's natural hydrolipidic film to maintain moisture levels. Enriched with the brand's Thermal Spring Water to prevent irritation and leave skin calm, hydrated and soothed. E.N. Paraben and alcohol free. 

    Instruction:
    Shake well before use. Apply the toner with a cotton pad to a cleansed face. 

    Ingredients:Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua). Fragrance (Parfum). Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate. Phenoxyethanol. Sorbitol. Stearalkonium Hectorite. Trisodium Edta. Water (Aqua). 

    Verdit: It is sounding regimented but I truly love all the Avène products that I have bought so far. I love using toner, as it wipes the last traces of makeup and impurities that could be missed during cleansing - especially that I have left my clarisonic brush in Singapore (I brought the charger instead, duh!). Cleansing is probably the most important step in the skincare routine, so I am quite particular about it. This toner is really gentle, containing no alcohol, so it doesn’t dry out the skin. All their products leave your skin feeling hydrated and soft to touch.  

The next post is on the moisturising range that I’ve bought. 

My Alternate Source for Beauty Products - LookFantastic

I have been THE online shopping Queen back in Singapore, then I moved to Perth, Australia and even before I arrived in Perth, I had sourced out the shopping links for my beauty products hoarding to continue.

Now that I have moved to Denmark, there is minimal culture shock, except for online shopping culture shock! Well, you know about EU right? So, my past beauty stash sources are predominantly from Asian continents - think Korea! It had little impact when I moved to Perth except for some price changes - so much cheaper to buy from Korea when I was in Singapore. It’s a whole lot of tax and duty change when I move to Denmark!

For an order of AUD45, I have to pay a tax and duty of approximately AUD40! What! Ok, so I have been actively sourcing for product alternatives (I do miss my snail creams. sob sob), and new online shopping venues in the Europe (buy from Europe, and there is no tax!).

I have found LookFantastic and have since ordered thrice with them - and I’ve only been in Denmark for two months! Speedy delivery, and fabulous free gifts, and discounts! Not only that I found great discounts on there, my HG products like Alpha-H and Moronccooil are available on there too, at better prices!

Tips:
1. Subscribe to their newsletter, they have different beauty bags every so frequently, you will find yourself wanting to buy something just so that you get their beauty bags!
2. With the newsletter, you will get updates not on the freebies, but also special discount codes to use (up to 22% discount) on your order. As usual, conditions apply.
3. Check your country of delivery and try to meet the minimum order to qualify for free tracked delivery.

I will be reviewing the Avene products over the weekend - 1-2 products per post. They are not sponsored products, I paid for every one of them. They are so good!

P/S: I have also found alternative source for my supplements supplies, iHerb orders got taxed too much, so I decide to put iHerb aside for now, until I am back in Australia. 

Another source is Amazon.