Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin

I’ve featured the Avène Eau Thermale Collection on this fashion blog before, and I’ve actually repurchased the Nutritive Cream several times, as it keeps my skin extremely hydrated throughout the day and well into the evening. When I heard about the new PhysioLift range, designed to smooth wrinkles, firm skin and provide a luminous glow for up to 24 hours, I knew I had to try it. As many of you know, I just received Botox and fillers and I’m not looking for products that will help prolong the effects of these treatments. Although I don’t believe there’s any miracle treatment on the market that eliminates fine lines and wrinkles all together, but keeping your skin hydrated and well moisturized doesn’t hurt. 

The new Avène PhysioLift range features a trio of patented active ingredients, brown alga extract to help replenish collagen levels and plump up the skin, hyaluronic acid to help replenish hydration level and deliver moisture to exactly where it’s needed and finally, retinaldehyde, a more effective option than retinol and an excellent way to help rejuvenate the anti-aging process. The idea behind this collection is not to turn back the hands in time, but to concentrate on specific needs that your skin requires as you get older. I love that the brand isn’t claiming to make you look 10 years younger, instead addressing specific issues with natural ingredients. As I get older, I’m finding that my skin has become more sensitive, and all those harsh chemicals that are placed into our skincare products are doing more damage than good.

The first product that caught my eye, and the one I’m most excited to share with you, is the new Avène PhysioLift Precision Wrinkle Filler. Designed to fill in wrinkles and deep furrows, this unique, expanding foam filler gives a smoother, softer appearance in just one click. It has a thin, long tube applicator that resembles a syringe, so you can easily place the cream exactly where your deep wrinkles are and not all over your face. Think around the nose, mouth and forehead, anywhere fine lines and wrinkles are starting to pop up.

The Avène PhysioLift Precision Wrinkle Filler does take a few sessions to get used to, but once you have the hang of it, it makes the application easy and more precise. Simply twist, press at the bottom of syringe and fill in those pesky lines. The unique trio formula helps to give the appearance of a smoother surface, while hydrating the skin, which also helps to reduce fine lines. It’s highly concentrated, active ingredient formula delivers an extra boost of hydration to those dry areas, which cause fine lines, but I don’t necessarily think it will erase all traces of wrinkles, the way Botox can. That being said, it does help to plump up the skin, while keeping it soft, smooth and moisturized. It retails for $56 for 15ml.

Avène PhysioLift Day Smoothing Emulsion is designed for those with normal to combination skin, so although it’s not ideal for my dry skin type, I’ve actually been using it as a makeup base/primer. It has an incredibly lightweight texture that absorbs into the skin within seconds. Its silky, creamy texture feels incredibly hydrating, without being too greasy or oily. It seems to instantly calm any redness or dry patches I may be experiencing that day and gives a slight glow to my skin. It works incredibly well under my foundation without oxidizing it or separating it throughout the day. It gives a soft, plump, slightly younger-looking effect to the skin without feeling too heavy or clogging my pores, causing breakouts. It retails for $53 for 30ml.

Avène PhysioLift Smoothing Regenerating Night Balm is applied in the evening, as it helps to increase skin’s firmness and reduces deep wrinkles while you sleep. It helps to eliminate signs of fatigue and detoxifies the skin, for a fresh, luminous glow in the morning. It has a unique texture that’s a cross between a balm and a gel. It applies effortlessly, glides across the skin like butter and absorbs into the skin instantly. I hate the feeling of a thick, greasy moisturizer in the evening, yet I want it to be extremely hydrating, this night balm is the best of both worlds. Does it reduce your wrinkles overnight, absolutely not, but the retinol does help to hydrate, smooth and plump up the skin. My skin is left feeling slightly firmer and when I wake up, my complexion is radiant, supple, moisturized and ready to take on the day. It also gives a slight youthful and healthier, shall I say, more lifted effect. It retails for $54 for 30ml.

Finally, and maybe my favourite product of them all, the Avène PhysioLift Eyes, designed to fill in wrinkles, tighten the skin, reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. I’ve just started getting into eye creams, because up until a few months ago, I thought they were kinda gimmicky. This one has an extremely rich, yet non-greasy texture that does an amazing job at hydrating my delicate eye area and almost illuminates any dry patches that I may be experiencing at the moment around and under my eyes almost immediately. Not only does it help to instantly moisturize my skin, it gives a slight cooling sensation that helps to awaken my senses and reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. It does help to fill in small lines around the corner of my eyes, but I also have the Botox to thank for that. Even though it’s designed as a night cream, on days when I’m restless or sleepy, I apply a small amount before my foundation and it helps to give the appearance of a well-rested complexion, and acts as an excellent base to your under eye concealer. It retails for $43 for 15ml.

Overall, the Avène PhysioLift range has thoroughly addressed all my skin concerns, without irritating or causing breakouts. Each product does exactly what I want them to, moisturizing, giving plumpness to the skin, while blurring fine lines and wrinkles. My skin is left feeling incredibly hydrated, nourished and softer and thanks to its silicone formula, it helps to minimize the appearance of any fine lines I may be experiencing at the moment. Each product sinks into the skin fairly quickly, without a sticky or greasy residue, although I found the two night products to have more of a dramatic effect on the skin.

And because I’m trying to keep with one brand at a time in my current skincare routine, I’ve been using the Avène Tolérance Extrême Cleansing Lotion as my daily cleanser. It has a unique rich and creamy, milky, watery lotion texture that removes all traces of dirt, oil, daily grime, even makeup with a no-rinse formula. I do take a washcloth or cotton pad to gently remove any excess product, otherwise I find it leaves a slight greasy residue behind. It’s gentle, mild and soothing, yet hydrating and moisturizing and the perfect cleanser for early mornings or late nights. It retails for $28 for 200ml.

On days when my skin is feeling extra parched, I apply a thick layer of Avène Tolérance Extrême Mask. Its 7 ingredient formula helps to intensely hydrate and soothe the skin, while adding moisture and providing anti-inflammatory properties. It instantly calms redness, eliminates dry, flaky patches and gives an instant glow to the complexion upon waking up in the morning. It helps to restore radiance and banish dryness after only one application. I’ve been applying it a few times a week without the fear of it clogging my pores or causing breakouts. It retails for $36 for 50ml.

Finally, because no matter how well we take care of our skin in the morning, nothing is as beneficial to our skin as a good sunscreen. The new Avène Eau Thermale High Protection Emulsion Face SPF50 is designed for the sensitivity of your face with both UVA and UVB protection, as well as being water resistant. It features only 3 chemical filters vs 5 to 7 found in other brands on the market and its powerful antioxidant benefits catches free radicals and protects the skin from environmental stress. It’s lightweight, sits well under foundation, and is soothing, calming, moisturizing and non-irritating. Everything I look for in a good sunscreen. It retails for $25 for 50ml.