Avene's Tolerance Control Cream: A Soothing, Restoring Option for Sensitive Skin
Hello everyone!
I'm excited to share my thoughts on the Avene Tolerance Control cream after putting it to the test for a decent amount of time.
In this review, we'll dive into the cream's formula, weigh its pros and cons, and discuss who it's best suited for – and who might want to think twice. I'll be honest, it didn't quite work for me, but I still consider it one of the top-notch options from Avene, and I'll explain why!
Another important note: I'll share my experience with how the cream behaves on problem skin, especially on skin that's prone to clogging pores and breaking out. I think many of you can relate, so we'll take a closer look at that.
So, let's get started!
I'm always on the hunt for the perfect face cream that meets all my skin's needs – and I stumbled upon a video review from a girl who raved about Tolerance Control. According to her, it doesn't clog pores, restores the skin beautifully, doesn't leave a greasy residue, and checks all the right boxes.
Naturally, I couldn't resist giving it a try, so I placed an order.
I've had my fair share of experience with French skincare, and Avene is one brand that's often associated with pharmacies. Their philosophy revolves around gentle formulas and high tolerance, which is exactly what I'm looking for when dealing with sensitive skin. I've tried other Avene products in the past, but unfortunately, they didn't work out for me. However, my interest in the brand remained, and I was excited to try their Tolerance Control Cream.
What's interesting is that Avene products are now widely available not just in pharmacies but also on online marketplaces. I managed to snag a great deal on this cream at Zolotoe Yabloko, where they often run promotions and offer discounts. The price was even more appealing when I applied a promo code and used my bonus points.
As for the cost, I wouldn't say this cream is budget-friendly. The 40ml tub costs around 2,200 rubles on average, but I paid 1,900 rubles after applying a promo code.
Price: 2200 rub
Volume: 40 ml
Country: France
Ingredients:
Avene aqua, caprylic/capric triglyceride, ethylhexyl palmitate glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, squalane, cetearyl glucoside, cetyl esters, aquaphilus dolomiae extract filtrate, arginine, cera alba, citric acid, tromethamine, aqua, xanthan gum.
Talking about the packaging, this cream comes in a box, just like all the other products from Avene. It's a standard box with a classic design and all the necessary details, nothing too fancy.
Now, let's talk about the tube itself - it's definitely worth mentioning. The first thing I noticed about this cream is the vacuum dispenser! You usually see vacuum systems in bottles with a dispenser on top, but this cream is in a tube format with the dispenser at the bottom. As you use it, the tube gradually gets compressed (no air gets in), and when you press the dispenser, the cream comes out smoothly.
I'm really impressed with the quality of the packaging and the design. The plastic feels solid and nice to the touch, the dispenser works flawlessly, and it gives a perfect amount of product without any clogging or excess.
The reason for this packaging format is that the cream is preservative-free, which is a rare thing for skincare products, especially creams. That's why they use vacuum packaging to prevent microorganisms from getting in and compromising the formula's stability.
Breaking down the ingredients:
Aqua
Water. The base of the formula.
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
A lightweight emollient derived from coconut oil that soothes and hydrates the skin, reducing water loss.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
An emollient that creates a smooth and comfortable texture. May be comedogenic for very oily skin.
Glycerin
Humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin.
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that moisturizes, stabilizes the emulsion, and doesn't dry out the skin.
Squalane is a lipid that's identical to the one found in our skin. It's a game-changer for maintaining the skin's barrier and reducing dryness.
Cetearyl Glucoside is a gentle emulsifier that brings water and oil together in perfect harmony.
Cetyl Esters are smoothing agents that make my skin feel silky smooth and improve its sensory properties.
Aquaphilus Dolomiae Extract Filtrate is a post-biotic ingredient that supports the skin's microbiome, reducing sensitivity and irritation.
Arginine is an amino acid that plays a key role in hydrating and repairing the skin's barrier, while also regulating its pH levels.
Cera Alba, or bee's wax, creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture and reduces water loss.
Citric Acid is a pH regulator that helps keep everything in balance.
Tromethamine is a buffering agent that stabilizes the skin's pH levels.
Xanthan Gum is a thickening agent that gives the cream its texture.
I've broken down the ingredients for you above, so you can read all about them. This cream has a pretty short and sweet formula.
I was blown away by how well Tolerance Control is tailored to sensitive skin. The manufacturer claims it's suitable for reactive, sensitive, and allergy-prone skin, as well as normal and combination skin – and even for kids from two years old. I love that 98% of the formula is made from natural ingredients.
That's why I think this cream is one of the best from Avene. It's clearly been thought out: a short, sweet formula, a focus on sensitive skin, no potentially irritating ingredients, and great packaging that protects the formula.
Now let's dive into the actual formula
One of the standout features of all Avene products is their thermal water, which serves as the foundation for their formulas. It's used as a soothing and supporting component for sensitive skin.
What's even more impressive is the presence of a lipid identical to the skin's natural barrier, which helps to lock in moisture and reduce dryness. For a soothing and restoring cream, this is the perfect base – without it, the product's claims would be nothing more than empty promises.
The formula also includes a postbiotic, a key ingredient that's particularly beneficial when the skin's barrier is compromised or irritated.
I also appreciate that the ingredient list is free from harsh chemicals like fragrances, alcohol, and essential oils, which can further irritate sensitive skin. So, in terms of the risk of irritation, this cream scores high marks!
The downsides are pretty clear, and they're what stopped me from buying this product again. It's obvious from the ingredients where the potential weak spot is. Beeswax is a standard component, and it does help create a protective barrier and retain moisture. However, it can be a bit too heavy for oily skin, especially if you're prone to blackheads. It's especially noticeable in warm weather, but in the winter, it's not as much of an issue. If you have very problem skin, especially if you're prone to producing a lot of sebum, this might not be the best option.
About the texture and how it feels on the skin.
The cream is a classic white color, and it's not too runny or too thick - it's just right. When you apply it, the texture feels slightly oily, but not heavy. It distributes evenly across the skin.
It's hard to describe the texture, but it's somewhere between a gel and a cream. It's definitely more of a cream, but it has a slightly oily feel to it.
There's no noticeable scent, which is what you'd expect. After applying, the cream seems to absorb into the skin, but it leaves a light, oily residue behind. It creates a thin, protective barrier that doesn't feel suffocating. Some creams can leave a strong, uncomfortable film on the skin, but this one doesn't.
I've got mixed feelings about this cream: on the one hand, it feels pretty light and comfortable, but on the other hand, that oily film is still there, and that's worth considering.
I used this cream almost every day for a month. After about a week, I saw a great deal on it at the Golden Apple and decided to order another one just in case. I probably got a bit ahead of myself with that decision.
At first, the cream was behaving itself, and I was a bit annoyed by the feeling of a light film on my skin, but it wasn't a deal-breaker, especially since it's winter and my skin tends to do better with thicker textures. But things started to change after that – despite being labeled as non-comedogenic and loved by many for that reason, this cream started clogging my pores. And it's exactly that combination of factors – the presence of a light film, even if it is light, and the tendency to clog pores with prolonged use – that sealed the deal for me.
If you've got acne-prone skin with blackheads, clogged pores, and thick sebum, this cream might actually make things worse over time! Even with a great formula and clever packaging, and even if the manufacturer's promises sound too good to be true, the cream still manages to clog pores. It might be a good option for those using retinoids, but for me, I didn't notice any significant skin recovery. Even after washing with a gentle cleanser, I'd still feel tightness on my skin. The flakiness did subside somewhat, but the comfort I got from cleansing was far from complete.
There's another thing that people with acne-prone skin will probably understand - many creams can give you that 'dirty face' effect: your skin doesn't look oily or greasy, but it's dull and feels like it's lost its freshness. This cream doesn't do that right away, but over time, it starts to happen.
Honestly, I think this cream would be perfect for my skin if it were a bit less dense and oily, but still packed with the good stuff. I've got a picture of it that shows how it looks.
Even though it didn't work for me, I still think it's one of the best products from Avene because of its clever idea. Most of their other creams, excluding cleansers, left me disappointed within a week or two
But I don't want to trash it, because it's actually a pretty well-thought-out product. It just might not be the best choice if you have oily skin or a lot of clogged pores.
So, who might this cream be suitable for? If you're using retinoids and you don't have super oily skin, a lot of clogged pores, or severe acne, it might work for you. It's also a great choice if you're looking for a reliable, gentle moisturizer for skin that only breaks out occasionally, like during your period or due to environmental factors.
I don't want to be too harsh in my criticism, though 🙂↔️. Hopefully, my review has been helpful and given you a better idea of whether this cream is right for you or if you should keep looking for another option.