We have all dealt with a blemish at least once in our teens, which sucks. While breakouts are a regular part of your skin’s cycle skin, you still don’t expect to have pimples as a grown-up. Editor Trudi Brewer shares how much acne can affect your self-esteem and what a difference a gentle, regular skincare routine can make to your complexion. Read on to learn more.
Suppose you’re battling breakout and have tried almost every product with little joy. Would you consider streamlining your skincare regime and using a simple, calming routine with products that promise to reduce blemishes by 50 per cent in one month? Below are three women brave enough to share their skin journey with BeautyEQ and try the latest acne-fighting, soothing skincare from French pharmacy brand Avène; here are their results.
Lottie Watson 20’s
What was your skin like before you started using Avène Cleanance?
Before using the clearance range, I had severe adult acne. This was something I had never struggled with before this year (2022); I had tried many, many different products with no success.
How did Avène’s Cleanance fit into your daily routine?
I found this easy to fit into my routine; it was the first thing I did when I woke up and the last thing I did when I went to sleep.
When did you start to see results?
I did have some initial skin purging for the first two to three weeks, but after this, my skin started to clear up quickly.
What has it done for your skin after a month?
I used to dread waking up and looking in the mirror as I would have new acne every day; it was painful and made me extremely insecure to the point I wouldn’t leave the house without makeup. But, after a month, I was feeling more like myself. My acne was clearing up, and it was not nearly as painful.
What do you like about the range?
I genuinely love all these products and will 100 per cent continue to use them. It’s been a life-changing experience and has helped me regain my confidence. I no longer hate my skin; using this routine each day, I have learnt to cherish it.
AVÈNE CLEANANCE WOMAN CORRECTIVE SERUM, $50.
This lightweight serum helps reduce blemishes and refines an uneven skin texture with a combination of active ingredients. Including glycolic and lactic acids helps speed up your skin cell turnover and clear blackheads by tightening the pores. Synovea®, a stable form of linoleic acid, is a gentle skin lightener to boost clarity further. Finally, P-Refinyl®, from lentil seeds, leaves a matt finish on the skin and helps tighten skin pores, which makes this serum ideal under makeup.
Brianna Connely, 20’s
What was your skin like before using Cleanance?
I’ve always had pretty unpredictable skin because I have coeliac disease. With skincare, I always choose products that work with my diet. I’ve always had sensitive skin and use a very limited range of products so my skin doesn’t flare up or react. I recently went to a dermatologist, who gave me many recommendations for gentle skincare, and Avène was one of the brands. My problem area is my cheeks, I have always had pretty bad skin there, which is connected to coeliac disease, but using Cleanance, the breakouts have reduced.
How did Avène Cleanance fit into your daily routine?
All products fit in with my routine well. Especially the thermal spring water; I rate this it’s a great way to start my morning and night routine. The night cream is lovely, I am addicted to it, but I don’t need the serum daily; it’s a little rich for my sensitive skin.
When did you start to see results?
I saw results in a few weeks. It was great to see it working so quickly.
What has it done for your skin after one month?
It took a little over a month for my skin to look clearer and brighter. It was really good to have a routine; I enjoyed that aspect of the trial. The breakout on my cheeks is almost non-existent.
What do you like about the range?
I love how easily the products fit into my routine. Especially the water. I will always use this now. It preps my skin for all my products. Spraying on the water is a nice way to start and end my day. Also, the results speak for themselves; it’s so nice not to worry about my skin anymore - I am super happy.
AVÈNE CLEANANCE WOMeN SMOOTHING NIGHT CREAM, $50.
To treat the skin while you sleep, this night cream helps to smooth the skin texture. Stacked with the skin hero pro-vitamin A, it further boosts your skin’s natural turnover, revealing clearer skin. As well as Synovea®,, a stable form of linoleic acid, it’s become the gold standard in gentle skin lightening and has clinically proven to be four times more effective than hydroquinone.
GEEna Kumar, 30’s
What was your skin like before using Cleanance?
My combination skin suffers from hormonal breakouts, and I constantly have oily bumps around the chin. Having darker toned skin and approaching my 40s, my skin is scarring and pigmenting much more than it used to. In addition, I have a rash around one of my nostrils that hasn’t completely moved on since I was sick with a respiratory virus a month ago. Since that virus, my skin has become sensitive to active anti-ageing products, so I was excited to try the new Avène Cleanance products.
How did Avène Cleanance fit into your daily routine?
Super easy. I cleanse in the shower with Avène Trixera Nutrition Nutri-Fluid Gel (I have used this cleanser for my face and body for ages) morning and night, spritz with the thermal spring water, wait until it evaporates, and then apply the Corrective Serum for day and night. Then at night, I use only the Soothing Night Crème.
When did you start to see results?
I saw results within a few days – my skin looked more toned, and I could see the bumps and pores on my skin, almost trying to surface all of the yuck stuff and get it out!
What Do you like about the range?
It has given my skin great clarity, and I’ve seen improvement day by day. My skin is still purging all of the black and whiteheads in some areas, but I feel as far as looking more luminous, it’s working! Yay!
Avène Thermale Spring Water, from 50mls, $13.
The base of all Avène skincare products is pure rainwater from the Mediterranean. Untouched, it trickles through 300 million-year-old dolomitic rocks 3000 meters underground. As it runs, it’s enriched with silicates, magnesium, calcium, and microflora. This natural action gives the water its potent anti-irritating and soothing properties. This skin-calming water is pumped from the ground and packed in an airtight can; famous for calming severe skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, breakouts and acne.
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