Avene Eau Thermale Tinted Cream Review

Avene Eau Thermale Tinted Cream Review

While on a trip to Dubai, I came across some new releases in Boots – there were sunscreens from Avène, Bioderma, La Roche Posay, Vichy, No.7 – and a multitude of variants within each brand. It was waaaaay too overwhelming. I actually came out empty handed because I couldn’t decide which one to pick. I ventured back in the next day and picked the Eau Thermal Avène – tinted, fragrance free, for sensitive skin – thought, let’s try it.  Avène is a known French brand which deals in skin care.  The one I am reviewing is the tinted, fragrance-free sunscreen, the line also has non-tinted and with-fragrance formulations as well.

Product Details:

• Very High Protection for Sensitive Skin.
• Effective Against All sun radiation (Short and long UVB-UVA).
• Paraben Free.
• Certified UVA Compliant.
• Very Water Resistant
• 100% Photostable.

Very high protection for dry, sensitive skin on the face.  Phototypes I and 11 (very light, milky skin – blond, red hair).  Any skin subjected to intense sun exposure.  The tinted cream masks skin imperfections, and can be used as make-up in skin whose pigmentation is difficult or irregular, or to improve the complexion with its “healthy glow” effect. The « fragrance free » version is recommended particularly for sensitive skin allergic to fragrance.

Price:

Dirhams 116 = INR 1970 for 50 ml.

Packaging:

The product comes in a plastic orange tube with a pump dispenser and a transparent cap. The bottle comes packaged in a matching orange cardboard box. Being a small 50 ml tube (the only size this comes in), product is travel friendly.

My Experience with Avene Eau Thermale Tinted Cream:

This product, along with a hundred others, are targeted towards the Middle Eastern market where summer heat can be quite tough to manage. Makeup can literally melt off your face. So, I had high hopes with this product. Did it live up to them? Let’s find out.

First, my skin type – I am over 30, with oily, sensitive, acne-prone skin. Skin is oily in summers and combination in winters.  The product is 50+SPF providing broad UVA and UVB protection. So, there is enough protection there. I have been using it regularly since the last 2-3 weeks, especially in the stark sunny weather in Chandigarh and have been out and about a lot, there has been NO tanning on the face or neck area.

The product has the consistency of light whipped cream, so it’s easy to spread and blend onto the skin. The product gets easily absorbed. It does not leave behind a matte finish, but does not leave the skin feeling greasy either. The skin feels supple and moisturized and there is no white cast.  On the contrary, the cream being tinted, is touted to provide light coverage like a BB cream, even-ing out the skin tone. However, the pigmentation of the product is so low that I feel it does not provide ANY coverage. The only way it helps being tinted is that there is no white cast at the end of it. If you think this will take care of your sunscreen needs and also even out skin tone or hide pigmentation, it will not.

The product is also touted to be very water resistant.  Honestly, it has stood up to the sweat and heat of Northern summers.  However, I do not think this would be my bet for using if I was to step into the pool.

The product has to be applied carefully around the eye are because if it enters the eye area – it stings – BADLY! That was my first learning with this product. Also, the first time I applied it, I felt a slight burning sensation. But it never happened again, not sure how to account for it.

After 3-4 hours of application, my face starts to shine. In all honesty, it does not become an oil slick but there is distinct shine which can be countered by using a compact. I have tried using this beneath makeup and it did not impact the longevity of the makeup much; however, it did result in the shine coming through more quickly.

While writing this review and checking the Avene website, I see that the product is mentioned to be “dry sensitive skin on the face.  It might be more conducive to the dry skin, but works okay on oily skin as well. However, I did not see the information mentioned on the box, unless it is hidden in the fine print which is extremely difficult for a customer to go through.

To sum this up for you:

Pros of Avene Eau Thermale Tinted Cream:

• Lightweight texture.
• Absorbs easily – no sign of greasiness.
• Spreads easily.
• No white cast at all.
• SPF 50+ Broad spectrum protection.
• Did not break me out.
• Fragrance free – suitable for sensitive skin.
• Free from parabens.
• Water resistant.
•  Ensured no tan despite being in the sun.
• More suited to people with dry skin than oily skin.

Cons of Avene Eau Thermale Tinted Cream:

• Despite being tinted, provides no coverage.
• Skin gets shiny after 3-4 hours of application.
• Stings if enters the eye area.

IMBB Rating:

3.5/5

It worked fairly decently as a sunscreen, but is definitely not my HG material.

Would I Repurchase Avene Eau Thermale Tinted Cream?

No, I will look for something more suited to my oily skin and providing a matte finish post application.

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