Most of us keep a tube of Biafine stashed in the bathroom cabinet, pulling it out only after a painful sunburn from that long-awaited beach day. While some view it as a basic ointment, Kathleen Hou, beauty director at The Cut (a New York Magazine publication), knows better—her insights carry major weight across the US beauty scene.
In her recent article, "The One French Skincare Product You Need to Buy," Hou spotlights this cream, invented in the 1970s by French chemist Mr. Wenmaekers. Originally for severe burns—like the one his daughter-in-law suffered—it's far more versatile than seasonal sunscreen regrets suggest.
From Fashion Week backstages and dermatologist offices to the vanity kits of supermodel Elle Macpherson and icon Inès de la Fressange, Biafine earns rave reviews as an unmatched moisturizer.
Acne-prone Hou tested it herself before bed. The next morning? Her breakouts had visibly reduced and healed faster than with other products she'd tried.
Hou heaps praise on Biafine, especially since it's scarce in the US but readily available in French pharmacies. This secret formula—trolamine to soothe inflammation and burns, plus paraffin and avocado oil—promotes skin regeneration. And at just €5 per tube, it's a steal.
