For a beauty industry that thrives on the next big thing, staying relevant for 25 years is no small feat.
Yet Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream has managed to do exactly that, evolving from a trusted French pharmacy staple into one of the most talked-about products in the barrier-first skincare movement.
The iconic cream is now celebrating its 25th anniversary, and its popularity is showing no signs of fading.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
In fact, thanks to a growing focus on skin health, hydration and barrier repair, Cicalfate+ is enjoying a new wave of attention from both skincare experts and celebrities.
Leading the charge is Sofia Richie Grainge, whose effortless beauty aesthetic has become one of the most influential looks of the past few years.
While many celebrity beauty routines involve a long list of products, Sofia has been vocal about the role Avène Cicalfate+ plays in her daily makeup routine.
“It’s like my holy grail,” she told Vogue.
“I always apply it under my makeup because I feel like my makeup is so pretty on top of this. The more you warm it up on your face, the glowier, more gorgeous it looks.”
For beauty fans trying to recreate Sofia’s polished, fresh-faced glow, that endorsement has helped cement the cream’s status as a must-have product.
What makes Cicalfate+ stand out is its focus on supporting the skin barrier, which has become one of the biggest conversations in beauty.
After years of aggressive exfoliation, strong active ingredients and complicated multi-step routines, many consumers are now embracing a gentler approach centred on maintaining healthy, resilient skin.
The formula combines Avène Thermal Spring Water, Copper-Zinc Sulphate and the brand’s patented postbiotic active ingredient, [C+ Restore], to help soothe irritation, lock in hydration and support skin barrier recovery.
It is designed to comfort dry, sensitive and compromised skin while helping to protect against environmental stressors that can leave complexions looking dull, red or dehydrated.
Its versatility is another reason it has maintained cult status for more than two decades.
Clinically proven to support skin barrier repair up to four times faster than untreated skin, Cicalfate+ helps visibly restore skin within 48 hours while reducing feelings of discomfort, dryness and irritation.
Suitable for all ages and sensitive skin types, it can be used across 48 different skin concerns, making it one of those products that earns a permanent spot in the bathroom cabinet.
Celebrity fans have also helped introduce the cream to a younger generation.
Hailey Bieber has revealed it as part of her evening skincare routine, while actress Lily Collins has embraced the same healthy-skin philosophy that has become synonymous with modern beauty.
The renewed interest in Cicalfate+ reflects a broader shift away from chasing flawless skin and towards building stronger, healthier skin from the inside out.
Rather than covering up irritation and dryness, consumers are increasingly looking for products that support the skin’s natural function and create a smooth canvas for makeup.
Twenty-five years after its launch, Avène Cicalfate+ remains proof that effective skincare never goes out of fashion.
Trusted by dermatologists, loved by celebrities and backed by clinical results, the French pharmacy favourite continues to earn its place as one of beauty’s most enduring icons.
