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RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm.

Avène RetrinAL Ceramide Lipid-Replenishing Balm
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.

Guru Score

84%

Yay

3 experts · Moderate agreement
3Gurus
3Yay
0Mixed
0Nay

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.

    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 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
    "This is my personal gold standard [retinaldehyde] that I use in my own routine for many years"
    Yay
    "Another one from Avène and I've actually talked about this moisturizer before and it's the Retinal Camide that contains Pinuchal ceramides it's just a really thick moisturizer that is very nourishing and with the addition of other ingredients in here I think it works really well with topical tretinoin to help you know tackle fine lines and wrinkles"
    All 2 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu
    How to apply topical retinoid, tips from dermatologist | Dr. Jenny Liu
    "Another one from Avène and I've actually talked about this moisturizer before and it's the Retinal Camide that contains Pinuchal ceramides it's just a really thick moisturizer that is very nourishing and with the addition of other ingredients in here I think it works really well with topical tretinoin to help you know tackle fine lines and wrinkles"
    Dermatologist's Favorite Avène Skincare Products
    "I literally have been enjoying this so much really use it on as mostly as my night time moisturizer because of the nourishing nature and even though it is Rich and nourishing your skin does not feel like it's being suffocated"
    Yay
    "Getting back to the Avène, very nice, pretty friendly for acne prone skin, so halfway friendly. For acne prone we've got safflower seed oil, cetearyl alcohol, glycerol, steroids, and soybean oil, and then olive oil, so not terribly friendly but not awful. 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. So this one's pretty nice and worth checking out, so I will link to it below."

    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 mature skin.

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