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Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm.

Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm
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Moisturizers
About this product

A thick ceramide-rich moisturizing balm formulated with retinaldehyde and Pinuchal ceramides, designed to nourish and support anti-aging while complementing prescription retinoids.

More from Avène 31 products · Guru Score 93% →

Guru Score

84%

Yay

3 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

This balm's retinaldehyde and ceramide blend earns praise for working smoothly alongside tretinoin to address fine lines and wrinkles. Dermatologists prize its richness and nourishing power, with one noting she has used it as her personal standard for years. The thickness means those already using strong actives may want to ease off other heavy products to avoid overload.
Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take January 2026

What they liked

  • Very thick, nourishing texture
  • Works well alongside tretinoin

What they flagged

    Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

    Type

    MoisturizersBalm & ointment

    Where to buy

    Opens a store search. We may earn from these links.

    Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

    What the experts use it for.

    The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

    Irritated or reactive skin2 experts

    “I use a prescription retinoid and I tend to get more easily irritated. This is kind of like the perfect nighttime moisturizer to use.”

    Dr. Jenny Liu, watch at 10:50

    Eczema1 expert

    “they use these in spas, this thermal water, and it's really healing for eczema and psoriasis and skin irritation and issues like that.”

    No BS Beauty, watch at 1:37

    Fine lines and wrinkles1 expert

    “With the addition of other ingredients in here, I think it works really well with topical retinoin to help, you know, tamp down fine lines and wrinkles.”

    Dr. Jenny Liu, watch at 16:34

    Calming retinoid irritation1 expert

    “I use a prescription retinoid and I tend to get more easily irritated. This is kind of like the perfect nighttime moisturizer to use.”

    Dr. Jenny Liu, watch at 10:50

    What the gurus are saying.

    Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

    All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
    ✓Yay
    "I compare any retinaldehyde that comes across my desk to this one right here by Avène. This is my personal gold standard retinaldehyde that I use in my own routine for many years. It is a drugstore brand French skin care product from Avène. It's the Retinal 0.1 intensive multi-corrective cream. It is a little pricey for a drugstore product."
    ✓Yay
    "This is another one from Avène and I've actually talked about this moisturizer before. It's the RetrinAL Ceramide that contains crucial ceramides and a few other nice ingredients, but it's just a really thick moisturizer that is very nourishing. With the addition of other ingredients in here, I think it works really well with topical retinoin to help, you know, tamp down fine lines and wrinkles."
    All 2 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu
    How to apply topical retinoid, tips from dermatologist | Dr. Jenny Liu
    "This is another one from Avène and I've actually talked about this moisturizer before. It's the RetrinAL Ceramide that contains crucial ceramides and a few other nice ingredients, but it's just a really thick moisturizer that is very nourishing. With the addition of other ingredients in here, I think it works really well with topical retinoin to help, you know, tamp down fine lines and wrinkles."
    Dermatologist's Favorite Avène Skincare Products
    "I literally have been enjoying this so much. I really use it mostly as my nighttime moisturizer because of the nourishing nature, and even though it is rich and nourishing, your skin does not feel like it's being suffocated, like super occlusive, but kind of just gives you what your skin needs. Especially for somebody like myself with more mature and dry skin, and I use a prescription retinoid and I tend to get more easily irritated. This is kind of like the perfect nighttime moisturizer to use."
    ✓Yay
    "Anyway, I've just been enjoying it, it's very nice, very gentle, and I really like the fact that they used the bakuchiol on here as opposed to retinol, because then it's friendly for morning or evening. Although a lot of the newer retinoid products that are coming out, a lot of them you can use in the daytime, but either way be sure to use sunscreen over it, because a lot of them make your skin more sensitive to the sun."

    Frequently asked.

    What is Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm?

    A thick ceramide-rich moisturizing balm formulated with retinaldehyde and Pinuchal ceramides, designed to nourish and support anti-aging while complementing prescription retinoids.

    Is Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm worth it?

    Yes. All 3 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 84%.

    What is Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm's Guru Score?

    Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm holds a Guru Score of 84%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.

    Who is Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm best for?

    Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm is generally suited to dry skin, sensitive skin and mature skin.

    What is Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm good for, according to the experts?

    In their reviews, experts say Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm is good for irritated or reactive skin (2 experts), eczema (1 expert), fine lines and wrinkles (1 expert) and calming retinoid irritation (1 expert).

    Is Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm good for irritated or reactive skin?

    2 experts who reviewed Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm say it is. Dr. Jenny Liu put it this way: “I use a prescription retinoid and I tend to get more easily irritated. This is kind of like the perfect nighttime moisturizer to use.”

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