Both of these products have similar purposes, protect and repair skin, but the formulas vary and offer different benefits.

I use this product for a variety of skin issues: cuts, minor injuries, after dermatological treatments, or after picking a spot. It is an excellent choice for angered or injured skin (not deep wounds though). It feels soothing on skin, and it creates a protective layer so that the scars heal faster without forming a scab on top, which leads to prolonged hyperpigmentation. I also use this Cream underneath my face mask, to prevent maskne, caused by the wet environment underneath face coverings. This product creates a barrier between your skin and the humidity, while the zinc and copper obstruct the proliferation of microbes contributing to spot formation. I have featured this product in my ‘How to Treat and Prevent Maskne’ video; you can watch it on my Instagram and Weibo. No matter how inconvenient masks might be, it is crucial to wear them properly (over the nose too!) in this challenging time. 

All in all, it’s a great barrier cream with skin-benefiting ingredients. I highly recommend it, as it does what it says on the box and it is an excellent value for money. 

The Restorative Protective Cream is a thick, mineral oil-based barrier cream that can be used for a variety of skin conditions like rashes, minor injuries, and after dermatological treatments. In addition to its occlusive base it includes Pierre Fabre’s patented ingredient called C-Restore, I am betting that it is the Aquaphilus Dolomiae ferment filtrate in the ingredients list. There’s a study conducted by Pierre Fabre’s employees on the efficacy of Aquaphilus Dolomiae extract in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (eczema), a condition whose treatment involves soothing and barrier-repairing ingredients. The C-Restore together with copper sulfate and zinc sulfate (there’s also the classic zinc oxide), as well as, Avène’s thermal provide a cushiony, healing blanket for the skin as the components promote skin’s regeneration, decrease inflammation, and prevent bacterial growth. There’s also arginine, an amino acid, which stimulates skin’s repair. The formula is free of fragrance and suitable for all skin types. 

The Lotion is similar to the Restorative Protective Cream; it also stimulates the repair of skin while preventing bacterial growth on a wound. Though it isn’t in an emollient vehicle, so it won’t create that thick, buttery layer, but a gauzy coating which soothes skin and stops oozing. The Lotion absorbs wound exudate similarly to how mattifying powder absorbs excess sebum (don’t try to apply mattifying powders on injured skin!). Similarly to the Cream, this product contains zinc and copper, with a different unique ingredient, aluminium sucrose octasulfate, which has been proven to aid the treatment of atopic dermatitis and skin burns. Of course, likewise above, there is a study by Pierre Fabre attesting the efficacy of the ingredient, but the study doesn’t include this product, but the Cicalfate Hand Cream. This Lotion can be used like the Restorative Protective Cream on damaged and aggravated skin of various causes, though this is a drying lotion that will work better for oozing wounds like those in skin folds or moist zones of the body. I sometimes get skin cracks in the corners of my nose, and this product fantastically guides the, often painful, healing process. It stops oozing and helps to close the gaps. I had first discovered this Lotion, and then I started using the Restorative Protective Cream because I was used to buying the Cicaplast Gel. Both ointments are great, but Avène’s Cream is denser as it contains mineral oil, so it creates a lasting barrier on the skin, like petroleum jelly, it doesn’t vanish quickly. Besides underneath a face mask, the Cream doesn’t work for me during the daytime, as it’s quite stickily, and I don’t particularly appreciate being smoothened in heavy creams during the day especially as my sunscreen could potentially slide off of it. For this reason, the Lotion is my go-to option for daytime as it doesn’t affect the products that I put on top. 

Also, the Lotion could work as a fantastic after-sun lotion on burnt skin, as aluminium sucrose octasulfate is known to heal skin burns. Of course, it’s not the cheapest option, but if I had a sunburn, I would go for it, because the product aids skin’s recovery and zinc oxide can potentially prevent some of the UV damage, in case you forget to use sunscreen. 

Overall, these two superb products help to relieve inflamed and damaged skin. They are similar, but they also have distinctive features serving specific purposes. The Cream is best for wounds that require a protective layer to shield them from exterior aggressors. Whereas, the Lotion creates a thin layer that soothes the skin, but also limits wound oozing. Pick a product based on your needs, if in doubt, consult a physician or a pharmacist. 

Ingredients 

The Cream:

AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER (AVENE AQUA). CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE. MINERAL OIL (PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM). GLYCERIN. HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL. ZINCO OXIDE. PROPYLENE GLYCOL. POLYGLYCERYL-2 SESQUIISOSTEARATE. PEG-22/DODECYL GLYCOL COPOLYMER. ALUMINUM STEARATE. AQUAPHILUS DOLOMIAE FERMENT FILTRATE. ARGININE. BEESWAX (CERA ALBA). COPPER SULFATE. MAGNESIUM STEARATE. MAGNESIUM SULFATE. MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX (CERA MICROCRISTALLINA). TROMETHAMINE. ZINC SULFATE. (avene.fr)

The Lotion:

AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER (AVENE AQUA). ZINC OXIDE. PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL. HECTORITE. ALUMINUM SUCROSE OCTASULFATE. CHLORPHENESIN. COPPER SULFATE. ZINC SULFATE. (avene.fr) 

PS  Avène are one of Laboratoires Pierre Fabre’s brands.