Read ALL about my review process including how I take swatches, photos, and more here.
Seriously, Avibon is the greasiest, most medicine-smelling creme that I cannot wait to lube up my face with every night. Sanofi Aventis Avibon is a retinol creme from France, and I received a coveted tube from my new skincare pal Abby from New London Pharmacy in Chelsea. Abby would tweet me telling me the hard-to-keep-stocked vitamin A potion was back on the shelves and I’d be all like “huh? what’s that?”. Rule #1: always listened up to ANYTHING Abby has to say about product. She travels the world bringing the best of the best that you can’t find in these here 50 states to her shop on 23rd and 8th. She knows her stuff.
So for the last two weeks I’ve been washing my face at night with my trusty Bare Minerals Deep Cleansing Foam then I’d apply a thin layer of my other tried and true treatment Alpha Hydrox Spot Lightener on the dark spots on my forehead, chin, and left cheek, and would finish it all off with a thin layer of Avibon.
For you gals who aren’t single, you might get a serious side eye from your S.O. when you put Avibon on because it’s greasy as all get out and it smells like grandma. BUT I’m telling you, in just two weeks of using it, I’m already noticing my dark spots fading (I credit that to the combo of Alpha Hydrox and Avibon–but not all skin types can take on that dosage), my skin is more radiant, and my makeup looks even better. Avibon is also just $27 and since a little goes a long way a 30 gram tube will last you quite some time. Plus you know how drying retinols can be? Since Avibon is so rich, I felt not an inch of dryness or discomfort.
Is it necessary for me to also tell you that you might need this?
In case you need a refresher, retinols or vitamin A derivatives are awesome multitasking skincare treatments that fight acne, diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles, prevent the signs of aging, even the skin tone, and help fade brown spots (hyperpigmentation and sun spots).
I’ll be giving another update in about a month, but if you can’t wait, get Avibon at New London Pharmacy here.
I think it’s hilarious that you made a point about having a significant other. My initial reaction was “he’s going to look at my greasy face and smell it and be disgusted” so I’m glad you acknowledged we’d be recieving a strong side eye. I may have to try it anyway.
Author
Hey!
LOL—yes, it’s easy for me to talk about all these creams I put on my skin at night when the only person who sees it is the little Polo bear guy on my pillow case…lol.
Love Avibon cream. It’s one of my favorite! Its nice to finally have it get recognition in the states. Also great on stretch mark.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, its not safe to use Avibon
P.S. You can also find on amazon (no tax. free shipping)
Author
Ohh—thanks for the stretch mark tip ;)
I’m glad I’m satisfied with my skin b/c this stuff costs 5 Euros in France but costs $50 (with free shipping) to have sent to the U.S. Whoever your friend is that gave you a tube deserves a bag full of pain au chocolat.
Goodness. Vitamin A promotes skin cell turnover which is the way that retinols help smooth out your skin and reduce hyperpigmentation but this is a steep markup.
If you have an agreeable doctor, a prescription for Retin-A might be more economical.
That doesn’t mean I won’t grab a couple of tubes the next time I’m in Paris though. (Along with a jar of pate).
Author
Hey Andrea!
Prescription Retin-A has always been very drying on my skin. I would go through that rough period the skin goes through before it starts to show change…lol. The Avibon is $27 at New London though. Still a markup but still not $50…lol.
Girl, definitely grab a couple tubes next time you’re in Paris ;)
I was about to ask you what your skin was normally like. It photographs so nicely, I was wondering, what is she really doing with these products when she already looks like that?
I can see it being great if you have that problem with Retin-A. I’ve always been greasy. Like I’ve been rubbing some fried chicken on my face or something. So I think things that are drying on other people make me stop looking like I put Vaseline on my face.
My hair grease has lanolin in it so that stuff is definitely the truth.
I didn’t see the Avibon on their website but I don’t need any more products. Esp. since I wound up caving on the Estee Lauder blushes!!
Author
I have “okay” skin that can always use improvement, but when you see it photographed I have foundation, concealer, and powder on. My skin goes through phases and right now is the “these spots need to hurry up and fade” phase. I also have an acne phase that I tend to go through which then causes the “these spots need to hurry up and fade” phase. In the winter or when it’s dry out, my skin can look pretty dull. I’m constantly trying to find ways to avoid wearing foundation and concealer and so that it still looks good 20+ years from now…lol.
Which EL blushes did you get?
Can you tolerate hydroquinone? B/c I have fairly good skin that usually has a pimple that turns into a dark spot, and b/c they are so slow to fade, there were always a few lingering about. I’m sure you’ll be fine in 20+ years. Black doesn’t crack after all!! But yeah, just keep it from scarring and it will be all good. And I use sunscreen daily now too.
Retin-A on the spots plus hydroquinone resulted in them fading more quickly or leaving no spot once they cleared up for me. And I have a good esthetician who is able to extract without leaving the dark spot that I get from trying it at home OR even leaving it alone. I get a spot no matter what it seems. So for the first time in AGES, my forehead looks just as I like it. W/ my oily skin, I never felt right in foundation or even much powder…I just dust my face for special occasions.
So I’m wondering if you add a touch of fade cream JUST to the spot with the Avibon will get you where you want to be.
Oh, I wound up getting Poppy Passion, Exotic Pink, and then after falling in love with how that looked, I am awaiting Wild Sunset in the mail. But no more blushes…really!
Author
Yep—can definitely tolerate hydroquinone. The Alpha Hydroxy Sopt Lightener that I’m using with Avibon is working nicely has 2% hydroquinone (I mentioned using them together in this post).
Ha—those blushes are awesome! You got really good ones, too :)
Can this product be purchased at her shop?
Author
Hey!!!
Yes—but I’d call them first to make sure it’s in stock :)
hey andrea,
I agree with Danielle about retin A. Avibon seems to not cause the flaky redness like retin a does. Its available on buyavibon.com, ive seen it for more elsewhere. i think they charge more in the states than in france because of the importing, and things are regulated differently here..(ive read about customs holding and seizing avibon due to its unfamiliarity)..but after all is said and done, paying copays at the doc plus prescriptions, youve already hit 50 bucks, so might as well get the avibon cream..it works better!!
Danielle-
I read somewhere that a combination of retin with alpha hydroxy has an offsetting effect and would almost nullify the performance of either. I’m surprised you say you have good results combining both.
My derm told me to alternate days I use retin-A/retinol and days I use glycolic(alpha hydroxies) for this reason.
Author
Hey Blossom!
I’m definitely no derm, but hey, it worked for me…lol.
Does it works for acne as well? :)
Author
Hey Nusa!
Typically retinol creams also help combat acne, but since I did not have any acne while trying this, I can’t personally attest to it. Worth a try though—but just keep in mind with retinols and acne, sometimes the skin gets worse before it gets better.
Thank you very much for replying! :)
Just got back from France – they apparently aren’t making this anymore. :(
They have replaced it with A 313 pommade cream now
Author
ohhhh thanks!!!!
Hi! Just got my A313 cream in the post after ordering from Amazon.co.uk but the instructions are in French and I can’t make them out! Can you give me the gist of it? :) Is this a product to be used only for a limited time (years ago I got a prescription for a retinol cream from a dermatologist and the maximum was 6 months) or can one use this cream every day all year round year after year, like an ordinary night cream? Also, what about the amount you put on? And how often? Nightly? I really wish their instructions would come with an English translation. Thanks in advance! :) Cecilia, Norway