Sofia Richie Grainge Swears by This $40 French Pharmacy Cream for Her Everyday Routine

When Sofia Richie Grainge drops a beauty favorite, we listen. The queen of skin-first minimalism has become the reference point for an effortless glow; so when she recently shared her beauty secrets with Vogue, it wasn’t a 12-step lineup of trendy serums. Instead, she called out a French pharmacy staple: Avène’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream.

“I use it every day, and it works so well under makeup,” Richie Grainge stated, dubbing the rich, barrier-boosting formula her holy grail.

Here’s the thing: this isn’t just another celeb-favorite moisturizer. Avène’s Cicalfate+ has been a quiet dermatologist darling for years because it does what so many barrier creams promise but don’t quite deliver — actually restoring the skin barrier. The secret is C+-Restore™, a postbiotic ingredient derived from Aquaphilus dolomiae, a microflora found only in Avène’s Thermal Spring Water in France.

In layman’s terms? It helps skin recover faster. Within 48 hours faster. It encourages skin cells to renew themselves more efficiently.

The cream also comes stacked with Copper-Zinc Sulfate Complex, which fights off bacteria while soothing inflammation (think: post-acne irritation, redness, or just that dry winter-skin tightness).

It’s nourishing but not suffocating, and clinical tests confirm it as non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores. Even acne-prone or oily skin types can use it without worry. It’s been shown to help fade acne marks and calm the dryness often caused by harsh treatments like retinoids.

“For anyone desiring formulation with a lower viscosity, you can find the same key ingredients in the Cicalfate+ Hydrating Skin Recovery Emulsion,” the brand’s team told us. 

And because this is French pharmacy at its finest, Cicalfate+ isn’t limited to just one use. With over 45 ways to work it in, from calming post-shave bumps to soothing minor burns and even being safe for newborns, it’s one of those creams that earns permanent residency in your medicine cabinet.

Of course, a derm-approved, science-backed cream was always going to have a cult following. But with Sofia Richie Grainge giving it her stamp of approval, and working it into her “every day” rotation, it’s safe to say Cicalfate+ is about to have a major moment.

Because if Richie Grainge’s skin is any proof, the quiet-luxury glow might just start with a $40 tube of French pharmacy magic.