When your skin is balanced and hydrated, it's happy. So if I told you, you could spritz on pure water to achieve that, would you? Editor Trudi Brewer shares a constant in her beauty routine, an affordable unique mineral water that can heal, calm and correct. Read on to learn more.
Image BeautyEQ
Our skin is dynamic, erratic, and unpredictable depending on our lifestyle and hormones. But it’s happiest when it’s calm. This means keeping it at a pH level of 7.5. For a quick science lesson: The skin’s acidic pH plays a role in keeping its delicate microbiome balanced - when it’s sitting at 7.5, it means it is stable, avoiding that dry, tight feeling, which, most importantly, reduces the risk of sensitivity. This brings me to one of my beauty staples. Bottled directly at the source to ensure it comes in its purest form, it also delivers on the latest trend, slow skincare. I realise the value of a progressive approach to anti-ageing rather than an aggressive one. That means a skincare routine using products that offer a gentle solution, preventing future damage, with less risk of irritation. So why is this water so good?
Where does Avène Thermal Spring Water come from?
Unspoiled, yet on the world map, not because of where this water comes from, one of the most picturesque parts of southern France, but because it’s pure rainwater, touched only by nature. Legend has it that the Marquis of Rocozels, who lived close to a natural spring in Avène in 1736, had a prized horse with alopecia that rolled in the spring regularly to soothe its itching skin. From that time, it has been a famous healer, and today it is the lifeblood of Avène’s Hydrotherapy Center. Where it’s the water alone (bathing and cool compressing) that people with severe skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and burns travel across the globe to benefit from.
How Does it work?
That pure rainwater from the Mediterranean filters through the mountains on its journey to the sleepy village of Avène. Trickling through 300 million-year-old dolomitic rocks 3000 meters underground, as it runs, it’s enriched with silicates, magnesium, calcium, and microflora. This natural action gives the water its potent anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and immunomodulatory properties, which is why it provides instant relief for devastating those skin conditions.
Avène Thermal Spring Water comes in a handy pocket size of 50mls, $13, to a bulk buy at 300mls, $28.
How Do I use it?
It’s not just healing water; it’s also hydrating and can soothe sunburn, shaving or nappy rash, refresh makeup and soothe redness, and it’s the perfect skin freshener after cleansing. I spritz it on often during the day, especially with high humidity. I rely on this facial mist to soothe flare-ups, and when my complexion is crying out for moisture, it’s also ideal after a DIY dermaplaning session. There is always a can in my car console, office desk, and bathroom. I also stash one in the fridge; on a hot day, there is nothing better than chilled French water at your service. Steeped in history with proven results, Avène is known as the crème de la crème of French pharmacy, and it’s just as relevant today as when it was first discovered 287 years ago. It’s a brilliant, affordable beauty buy; for as little as $13 for 50mls, I promise, if you haven’t already tried it, you will thank me for discovering it.
Ideal for Christmas gifting.