Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm Versus Avène Cicalfate+ Scar Gel
Updated on May 06, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils or parabens
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm 14 ingredients
Avène Cicalfate+ Scar Gel 16 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm 14 ingredients
Avène Cicalfate+ Scar Gel 16 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
Emollient
Aquaphilus Dolomiae Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Copper Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Aquaphilus Dolomiae Ferment Filtrate, Arginine, Copper Sulfate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tromethamine, Water, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Sulfate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinArginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm 14 ingredients
Avène Cicalfate+ Scar Gel 16 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm 14 ingredients
Have been confused between this balm version and the cream version for a while now as they’re in the exact same packaging. I’m finding that the balm tends to now be labeled with a dermatologically tested or approved for ultra sensitive skin sticker, which I do have, whereas presumably the cream is not because it contains something more irritating.
I can’t really determine what it is exactly or Show more
Avène Cicalfate+ Scar Gel 16 ingredients
I don’t know. this doesn’t do anything for my scars but it’s very similar to other scar creams, nothing special. I won’t repurchase
