A few years ago, I was diagnosed with hormone receptor positive breast cancer and as part of my treatment, I went into chemical menopause at age 41. One of the biggest side effects was how the sudden drop in estrogen affected my skin. My once radiant complexion quickly became dull, dry, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles became more pronounced.
Extreme measures were necessary, so I La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizer; an expensive product that many celebrities swoon over. This miracle moisturizer isn’t cheap at a whopping $515, but considering I’d just been diagnosed with cancer, I had little regret about shelling out the money. After just a few days of use, my skin started to regain its glow. However, I couldn’t bear to spend that much on skincare on a regular basis, so I started looking for more affordable options. My search led to some great finds, such as: loreal revitalift moisturizer and RoC Retinol Correction Line Smoothing Max Hydration Creambut until you try Avene Hyaluron Active B3 Renewal Firming Cream I was sure I had found the dynamite fake of my dreams.
For under $60, I’ve seen the lines diminish and my skin firmer, all for a fraction of La Mer’s hefty price tag. Avene’s rich Renewal Cream is great for tired skin, and I can’t imagine my morning skincare routine without it.
Amazon
This rich renewing cream firms skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Super moisturizing
- Skin is visibly firmer after use
- Scented
- May not be suitable for acne-prone skin
$56 at Walmart
detail
Made in France, this award-winning product contains 92 percent natural ingredients that firm, smooth and restore skin. With thermal spring water, niacinamide and multi-weight hyaluronic acid, just a dab of cream leaves your face and neck feeling and looking hydrated and plumped.
Are you struggling with dark spots? This cream contains 6 percent Niacinamide, a vitamin B3 extract, which helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and improving skin elasticity. Thermal spring water is essential to soothe and balance the skin.
Its non-greasy, non-sticky texture makes it a great base for makeup, and although the cream is thick, it is suitable for all skin types.
What I like about it
Ultra Moisturizing: My skin gets super dry (yay, menopause!) so a really rich moisturizer is the answer – a little goes a long way, so one bottle lasts me a while.
Visibly firmer skin: One of my biggest concerns is loose skin, but since I started using it I have noticed a noticeable tightening of the skin, especially around my jawline.
Goodbye, crow’s feet: The moisturizing effect of this cream is unlike anything I’ve ever used before. Even hours after application, my skin feels smooth and visibly hydrated. The fine lines around my eyes have also become much less noticeable. It’s like drinking 8 glasses of water after each application.
Twice a day is the only way: When I first started using it, I mainly applied it in the morning, but after a week, I switched to applying it at night as well. Even when I stayed up late and couldn’t be bothered to use other lotions or serums, I noticed that if I applied this cream before going to bed, my skin looked brighter when I woke up.
European skin care is amazing. I love that this cream is made in France. I’m always impressed with European skin care products and their ingredients. Every time I go to Europe, I stock up on amazingly affordable drugstore products.
-
Avene Hyaluron Active B3 Renewal Firming Cream
Tested by Yahoo Canada
Room for improvement
Not Fragrance Free: The product is described on the Avene website as “delicately scented” which I think is an understatement – I don’t mind the floral scent, but if you are sensitive to fragrances this may not be for you.
Attention acne-prone skin: I’ve had cystic acne since I was in my 20s, but it hasn’t really come back since. However, when I started using this cream at night, I got a pimple or two. It cleared up, but if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you might want to be careful when using this product. You don’t need a lot of it, so be careful not to apply too much.
Reviewer comments
This is a fairly new product so there are limited reviews, Amazon Shoppersays that although she has only been using the product for a short time, she was impressed with how well it absorbed into the skin.
“I love the rich texture,” commented another Amazon user, adding, “My skin feels firmer and brighter.”
a Well.ca Shopper She found this cream while searching for a firming cream that she could use safely while breastfeeding. After a month of use, she seems pleased with the changes, saying that her skin is “more moisturizing and brighter.” She also says that the appearance of fine lines has improved. However, she notes that the scent of the cream might deter her from purchasing the product again. While it smelled good at first, “As the days go by, the scent still lingers and has a stale, unpleasant smell.”
a Shoppers Drug Mart Reviewer Some people were disappointed, saying the product caused irritation to their skin, while others complained that the cream had a “funny texture” and that they weren’t as impressed with other Avene products.
verdict
For me, this skin regenerating formula This is the first product I’ve discovered since I entered my 40’s. It’s a great alternative to the pricey La Mer products and I can see my skin visibly tightening and becoming more hydrated with each application. It’s a very thick cream so if you have sensitive or acne prone skin it may not be the best for daily use. I’m going to Florida in a few weeks and it will be humid so I will adjust my use to once a day to avoid breakouts.
Keep in mind that this product also has a light fragrance, so if you are looking for a fragrance-free product, this cream probably isn’t for you.
The above review reflects the most current version at the time of publication.
Comment below or tweet us at @ to let us know what you think.Yahoo Style CAfollow me twitter and Instagram.
