Introducing Avène Cleanance Gel. Soapless Cleanser for Oily Blemish Prone Skin

I've made of my grá for Avène products quite clear in the past so when this aqua bottle arrived on my desk for testing I was delighted. We've had a couple of trials and tribulations here in Casa Cherry with cleansers for oily skins up until now, naming Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash as just one that's dried out our poor kissers terribly. I was confident though that Avène was see us right. I was spot on. 

Rich in Thermal Spring Water, Avène Cleanance works gently in its soapless (but slightly lathery) way to purify the  skin and reduce excess oil. To be used morning and evening on damp skin, I've found that the youngest has taken to this like a duck to water - going so far as to hide it behind the shampoo for his own cleansing needs, that's how much he's loving it (the snakey fecker).  

Benefits according to Avène:

• Deep cleansing action purifies without stripping the skin
• PH 7.2 respects the skin’s natural balance, minimizing the trigger of excess sebum production
• Pleasant fragrance tolerated by sensitive skin
• Soap-free
• Avène thermal spring water to soothe and soften skin
• Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

I think what I like most about this product though is not that it's solved the youngests' oily/dry skin conundrum, nor the clean refreshing scent, it's the genius lid! Clean and hygenic, this simple twist lid not only means there's no mess but also means that every drop can be used from the bottle, making it a money saver too. 

Hygienic Genius

Priced at €15.25 from all good pharmacies and larger Boots stores, Avène Cleanance Gel is certainly one I'll be repurchasing, if only so I can have a go, as peachy faced Gollum up there doesn't seem to want to part with his precious.

Have you tried this yet? Any love for soapless cleansers?

Introducing Invisible Zinc & Avène Haute Protection Compact. Sunscreen & Make Up in One!

We've been blessed with some pretty beautiful weather in Dublin over the past fortnight and hopefully as we rocket into June we won't have seen the last of it. Because of this, we've seen a great focus on sun protection of late so I was intrigued at an Avène event recently to learn of their make up compact with Factor 50 incorporated and even more so when I saw Cloud10beauty.com announce their launch of Invisible Zinc, a high coverage and high SPF cream to powder stick. So intrigued that I thought you might fancy a goo too...

Both of these products have the potential to revolutionise your Summer time make up and your incorporation of facial SPFs into your daily routine so let's take a looksee, shall we?

Thermal Spring Water & its Very Many Uses

Thermal Spring Water, huh, what is it good for? Absolutely... Well loads of stuff actually..

Prepare to realise why one of these French fine mist sprays could be the answer to several of your beauty or lifestyle problems and why every fridge and mála should have one.

Thermal Spring Water mists are the only products to be connected directly at source to the springs in France, meaning the pure water inside literally doesn't see the light of day for up to two years or until such time as its called into action.

I first came across the Avène version while on holidays in Tenerife a couple of years back. We kept it in the fridge for use throughout the day and it saved our skin, literally, on more than one occasion. I actually came to miss it in the weeks after we arrived home so was thrilled at the refreshing reminder when the brands sent me these bad boys for review.

I've listed 10 of the most useful uses for these cooling compadres but of course this list is not exhaustive:

1. As a toner. LRP Thermal Spring Water is naturally high in selenium and its Avène counterpart in silicate. These work to purify and calm the skin. Reducing redness and closing pores naturally. Both are naturally anti oxidant. 
2. To set make up.  Once you've completed your make up look for the day a spritz of Thermal Spring Water acts to set your work in place, it can also be used throughout the day as the mist is fine enough not to cause make up to 'melt'. 
3. Fizzog refreshment through the day. Whether on holidays in the heat or stuck inside a busy office with 24 hour central heating and air conditioning, this spray is like a cool drink of water for your skin. The fine mist won't frighten babies so is perfect for keeping little kissers cool too. 
4. For long flights or trips. Being stuck inside a pressure controlled can in the sky for up to 12 hours with recycled air is really no good for your complexion. An easy addition to your carry on luggage, refreshment is only a spritz away. (Or, of course you could spray it on Hoggy McHoggerson, snoring with their mouth open and falling over your seat too)(The perfect crime)
5. For fever and nausea relief. Not necessarily self inflicted illness but good for that too.  It's instantly cooling. 
6. Treatment of burns & wounds. Be they sun burns, razor burns or otherwise, a spray of this regularly really helps to ease the sting. It can also be sprayed on open, clean wounds to calm inflammation and temporarily relieve pain.
7. New tattoos: For new tattoos, in the healing stage, when all you want to do is scratch!
8. Itchiness relief: Whether from a healing wound, skin conditions such as eczema, bug bites or chicken pox. Relief is just a spray away.
9. During and after workouts: To help keep you going or to cool you down once done. 
10. Nappy Rash or chaffing: The mist is so fine that when a little one is suffering so much that a cloth or wipe stings, it works wonders to gently ease the pain. 

 While the La Roche Posay offering is ideal to be kept in the fridge all year round, the Avène version is small enough to be handbag or nappy bag friendly and can be brought everywhere. 

LRP retails for €9.66 from all good pharmacies and Avène travel size for €4 in larger Boots. 

Have you used either of these before? Got a use to add to my list? Lemme know!

**Edit** The Sis has reliably informed me
that these sprays are invaluable for
pregnant ladies for every day and for the labour ward! Genius!