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A $16 cult classic from the 2000s is making a major comeback and celebrities like Nicola Peltz Beckham and Hailey Bieber are among the new generation of fans. 

As fashion trends like low rise jeans and capri pants are surging in popularity so too are beauty buys and Avène’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream is being embraced by Gen Z beauty lovers around the globe. 

While some of the iconic French brand’s products are enduring mainstays, such as its hero Thermal Spring Water spray, Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream hasn’t been all that ‘buzzy’… until recently.

Now, a number of celebrities have been raving about Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream on social media and their followers have been quick to snap up the budget beauty buy. 

Peltz Beckham and Bieber both shared their love for the cream on Instagram. Former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo raved about it in a livestream and Kendall Jenner is also a known fan of the brand.

When the product first launched In the noughties, a magazine editor’s Parisian pharmacy haul was the pinnacle of insider skincare wisdom and Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream was a firm favourite of those in the know. 

At the time, the product was only available at the expense of a trip to France, making it out of reach for most Aussies. Now though, it’s widely available in Australia with Chemist Warehouse and Amazon stocking the brand, so it’s no wonder it’s flying off shelves. 

The French pharmacy staple, from $16.39, is designed to soothe, protect and visibly restore dry, damaged and sensitive skin.

Formulated with [C+ Restore]™, a patented postbiotic derived from Avène Thermal Spring Water, it helps support the skin microbiome while reinforcing the moisture barrier, while Copper-zinc sulphate offers added protection and aids in skin recovery.

The brand’s signature thermal spring water, rich in silicates and trace elements thanks to its 50-year journey through the Cévennes mountains in Southern France, calms irritation and discomfort. 

The rich, creamy texture forms a breathable film over the skin, delivering instant hydration and comfort from the first application.

Suitable for both face and body, it’s a go-to solution for everything from dry, irritated skin, razor and nappy rash, and minor scratches to post-procedure care and for those whose skin is highly sensitive during cancer treatment.

In April, Hailey Bieber shared a snap of her three must-have skincare products on Instagram, captioning it: ‘couldn’t live without.’ Along with two items from her own beauty line Rhode, she included Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream.

Such is Hailey’s influence, the budget cream has jumped to the top of the bestseller list again.

Nicola Peltz Beckham was an even earlier champion of the product. In 2023, the model and actress shared that she relied on the product to combat dry skin.

‘I love this product so much,’ Nicola wrote on her Instagram story at the time.

‘My skin is sensitive and can be very dry,’ she said. ‘Sometimes (most nights) I put this on all over my face after I’ve done the rest of my skincare routine.’

‘I know everyone’s skin is very different and mine can be prone to breaking out from the wrong product – but this one hasn’t broken me out at all and I’ve been using it for months.’

Formulated with [C+ Restore]™, a patented postbiotic derived from Avène Thermal Spring Water , it helps support the skin microbiome while reinforcing the moisture barrier, while Copper-zinc sulphate offers added protection and aids in skin recovery

Olivia Culpo took to an Amazon livestream to share her love for the product, comparing it to her usual go-to, Augustinus Bader’s The Cream. 

Despite the $200+ price difference, she said she could barely tell them apart and praised Avène for its skin barrier support, hydration, and gentleness on sensitive skin.

‘I can’t really tell the difference, to be honest with you. This is a great product. I have been using this forever,’ she added. 

‘You’re never going to feel like you’re breaking out because of this, but you also feel very hydrated, and that’s all you can ask for in a cream.’

If the celebrity beauty muses’ recommendations don’t convince you, there are thousands of five-star reviews from verified customers to back them up.

‘I love Cicalfate+. It’s a must-have at home because it’s incredibly soothing to the skin,’ one shopper enthused. 

‘My teenage son and I use it, and it works wonders for us. We like its texture, which absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling on the skin, leaving it feeling comforted.’

Another commented: ‘I love this product. It’s a super effective cream for irritated skin and has a wonderful texture. It feels hydrated and refreshing.’

‘I discovered Cicalfate+ on the recommendation of a dermatologist a couple of years ago, and I’ve always had it at home ever since,’ added another customer. 

‘It’s a restorative cream that truly delivers on its promise.’