Is Cicalfate safe for sensitive, acne-prone, or dry skin?

Yes, Cicalfate is designed to calm irritation and support barrier repair, making it suitable for dry and sensitive skin; however, its occlusive mineral-oil base and zinc oxide can be mildly comedogenic, so very acne-prone users should test a small area first.

What role does zinc oxide play in Cicalfate's formula?

Zinc oxide acts as a soothing, anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial agent that creates a protective film on the skin, helping to reduce redness and prevent secondary infection while supporting the healing process.

How often should Cicalfate be applied and does it contain any controversial ingredients?

The cream can be applied two to three times daily to clean, dry skin or as needed after irritation; it does contain mineral oil, propylene glycol, and PEG-22, which some consumers consider controversial due to potential sensitization or environmental concerns.

Avène • 100ml

Cicalfate

Creme Reparatoire Protectrice

Product Insights

Avene Cicalfate is a 100 ml protective reparative cream formulated with Avene Thermal Spring Water, zinc oxide, and a blend of emollients such as mineral oil and hydrogenated vegetable oil to soothe and restore compromised skin barriers. Its active ingredients, including zinc oxide and Aquaphilus dolomiae ferment filtrate, provide anti-irritant and antimicrobial benefits, while the high proportion of occlusive oils creates a breathable barrier that helps lock in moisture. Potential drawbacks include the presence of mineral oil, propylene glycol, and PEG-22, which may be comedogenic or irritating for extremely sensitive or acne-prone individuals, and the formula does not claim vegan or cruelty-free status.

Comparative Analysis

Cicalfate positions itself as a barrier-repair, soothing cream for compromised skin, leveraging Avene's thermal spring water and zinc oxide to calm irritation, distinguishing it from ordinary moisturizers.

Ingredients

AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER (AVENE AQUA). CAPRY - LIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCE - RIDE. MINERAL OIL (PARAF - FINUM LIQUIDUM). GLY - CERIN. HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL. ZINC OXIDE. PROPYLENE GLYCOL. POLY - GLYCERYL-2 SESQUIISOSTEARATE. PEG-22/ DODECYL GLYCOL COPOLYMER. ALUMI - NUM STEARATE. AQUAPHILUS DOLOMIAE FERMENT FILTRATE. ARGININE. BEESWAX (CERA ALBA). COPPER SULFATE. MAGNE - SIUM STEARATE. MAGNESIUM SULFATE. MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX (CERA MICRO - CRISTALLINA). TROMETHAMINE. ZINC SULFATE. R FR [c

84%

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