Formula · 9.7

Brand · 7.5

Avène · zinc oxide with copper and zinc sulfates · France

Avène Cicalfate+

Avène Cicalfate+
9.7

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence1.0Effect supported by studies
  • Active concentration1.0The active sits above the 1 % line — by list order a working concentration is 100 % likely
  • Completeness for the purpose1.0For “sensitive skin and redness” — 100 %; panthenol (pro-vitamin b5); could be added without conflict: panthenol (pro-vitamin b5); a broad formula across 3 purposes
  • Tolerance0.9Comedogenic ingredients at a notable share (may clog pores): hydrogenated vegetable oil
  • adults
  • children
  • babies
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • sensitive skin
  • atopic skin
  • acne-pronemay clog pores in leave-on face products
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Sensitive skin needs soothing ingredients (panthenol, allantoin, bisabolol, centella, oatmeal, ectoin) and barrier ones (zinc oxide, ceramides, niacinamide) — one from each group — and as few irritants as possible: fragrance, alcohol, acids.
When:
  • leave-on
  • morning
  • evening
on damaged areas 1–2 times a day
When to expect an effect: irritation, cracks — days
What is normal: a white cast on the skin

Ingredients — 18 components · 1 works

What works: 1 of 18 ingredients: zinc oxide. Sensitive skin needs soothing ingredients (panthenol, allantoin, bisabolol, centella, oatmeal, ectoin) and barrier ones (zinc oxide, ceramides, niacinamide) — one from each group — and as few irritants as possible: fragrance, alcohol, acids.

Strengths: actives and evidence, active concentration, completeness for the purpose, tolerance

Questions: no debatable ingredients in the formula

  • AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER (AVENE AQUA base: coating, fillers · spring mineral water instead of plain water — the base of the product; the brand claims a soothing effect, independent comparisons with plain water are scarce
  • CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE base: coating, fillers · a coconut-oil fraction, a light emollient and carrier of actives; does not clog pores
  • MINERAL OIL (PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM base: coating, fillers · purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • GLYCERIN base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL base: coating, fillers · a hardened plant oil, a thickener; may clog pores in leave-on face products
  • ZINC OXIDE works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: zinc oxide
  • PROPYLENE GLYCOL base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • POLYGLYCERYL-2 SESQUIISOSTEARATE base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • PEG-22/DODECYL GLYCOL COPOLYMER base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • ALUMINUM STEARATE base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • AQUAPHILUS DOLOMIAE FERMENT FILTRATE base: coating, fillers · skin-microbiome ferments, prebiotics and formula antioxidants
  • ARGININE base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • BEESWAX (CERA ALBA base: coating, fillers · a thickening wax for balms and creams; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • COPPER SULFATE base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • MAGNESIUM STEARATE base: coating, fillers · tablet-pressing lubricant; contains negligible magnesium, not counted as the element; in powders — a slip agent; does not clog pores
  • MAGNESIUM SULFATE base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX (CERA MICROCRISTALLINA base: coating, fillers · purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • TROMETHAMINE base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • ZINC SULFATE base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier

Avène Cicalfate+ is a product whose active ingredient is zinc oxide. The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. The effect is supported by studies: protective and drying action for irritation and chafing — FDA skin-protectant monograph (1–25 %). The formula has 18 ingredients, 1 of which does the work; the rest is the formula base. Sensitive skin needs soothing ingredients (panthenol, allantoin, bisabolol, centella, oatmeal, ectoin) and barrier ones (zinc oxide, ceramides, niacinamide) — one from each group — and as few irritants as possible: fragrance, alcohol, acids. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, parabens, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, children, babies, pregnancy, sensitive skin, atopic skin. acne-prone — ask a doctor. Use: on damaged areas 1–2 times a day. When to expect an effect: irritation, cracks — days. Label score — 9.7 out of 10 (comedogenic ingredients at a notable share (may clog pores): hydrogenated vegetable oil). Per the pack: avoid contact with eyes; do not store below 0 °C. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Who it does not suit

Per the maker's leaflet: Per the pack: avoid contact with eyes; do not store below 0 °C. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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