I’ve struggled with red, annoyingly sensitive skin for as long as I can remember. And while it’s definitely a year-round battle, there’s no doubt that it gets worse during the summertime when it’s sweltering out. I know because as soon as temps surpass 75 degrees Fahrenheit, my skin becomes far more finicky and easily irritated. Hell, even setting foot outside in 80-plus-degree weather can make my complexion red hot and prickly. Suffice it to say, I’ve always been a fall/winter girl through and through.
With that being said, I’ve managed to find some products and techniques over the years that make my summer skin woes a bit more bearable. Ice rollers, for instance, are excellent at reducing redness and cooling my skin down, and handheld fans do a solid job too. My ultimate summer skin must-haves, though, are soothing face mists — and Avène’s Thermal Spring Water is the one I always come back to.
It’s highly effective, lasts for ages and, oh yeah, it’s only $19 for a bottle that lasts for months. Let’s dive into what makes it such a score, shall we?
This derm-recommended face mist is made with the brand’s hero ingredient: thermal spring water, which is clinically proven to calm inflammation while soothing and softening the skin. It works instantly and over time to quell irritation and help restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
How I found Avène Thermal Spring Water
Much like La Roche-Posay, Avène is a renowned French skin care brand that’s highly lauded by dermatologists — and my own derm is no exception. She kindly sent me home with a sample bottle last summer, and lo and behold, it’s been in my skin-soothing arsenal ever since.
Fun fact: The brand’s thermal spring water is actually present in all its products because of its powerful calming properties, and I’m here to attest that it’s the real deal. It’s even backed by 150 clinical studies, so you know it means business and isn’t just another skin care gimmick.
I personally use the mineral and postbiotic microflora-rich water year-round to help tame my chronically irate complexion, though it definitely is the handiest during the summer months when my skin’s ultra prone to irritation. I spritz on a liberal amount after cleansing for an instant hit of soothing hydration before going in with serum and moisturizer, and from there, I apply it throughout the day whenever my skin is acting up and needs refreshing. After a mere few minutes, my skin feels remarkably calmer and cooler. Hence why it’s become my holy grail.
Why Avène Thermal Spring Water is a score
As a beauty writer with a niche for skin care, I’ve had the chance to try myriad face mists in my day, and many of them are good, if not great. And yet, I always come back to this one. I love that it’s made with one simple yet highly effective and clinically studied ingredient, and the fact that it works so quickly. Plus, the mist itself is ultra fine and feels like a cool shower on inflamed skin.
It’s worth noting that the fast-acting formula not only tempers redness on contact but does a top-notch job at softening and smoothing my skin. This aids in minimizing fine lines and dry spots so that my skin looks healthier overall. A bonus: It’s completely unscented and free of any unnecessary ingredients like alcohol.
Avène’s Thermal Spring Water is the first of its kind to be bottled directly from the source and then packaged in a sterile environment so it remains pure and can deliver supreme results. That, and it’s specifically meant to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and is known for its history in treating atopic dermatitis (inflammation of the skin).
One of the best parts is that, despite being such an incredible product, it’s quite affordable. It costs $14 for a 5-ounce bottle and $19 for the full-size 10-ounce bottle — both of which last for months, even when I’m using it on a daily basis. So, to all my fellow sensitive-skinned friends out there, I can’t recommend Avène’s Thermal Spring Water enough. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s quickly become a skin care product I can’t imagine living without.
