Shipping Estimate
USA
- USA
- CAN
- USA
- CAN
Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 9 - Jul 14
Promo Codes Available:
For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15
Description
Dear Medusa: (A Novel in Verse)This searing and intimate novel in verse follows a sixteen year old girl coping with sexual abuse as she grapples with how to reclaim her story, her anger, and her body in a world that seems determined to punish her for the sin of surviving. "This is more than a story about sexual violencethis book is about race, sexuality, love, and how anger can be a catalyst for healing." Gabrielle Union, bestselling author, actress, and producer Sixteen year old
This searing and intimate novel in verse follows a sixteen-year-old girl coping with sexual abuse as she grapples with how to reclaim her story, her anger, and her body in a world that seems determined to punish her for the sin of surviving.
"This is more than a story about sexual violence—this book is about race, sexuality, love, and how anger can be a catalyst for healing."
—Gabrielle Union, bestselling author, actress, and producer
Sixteen-year-old Alicia Rivers has a reputation that precedes her. But there’s more to her story than the whispers that follow her throughout the hallways at school—whispers that splinter into a million different insults that really mean: a girl who has had sex. But what her classmates don't know is that Alicia was sexually abused by a popular teacher, and that trauma has rewritten every cell in her body into someone she doesn't recognize. To the world around her, she’s been cast, like the mythical Medusa, as not the victim but the monster of her own story: the slut who asked for it.
Alicia was abandoned by her best friend, quit the track team, and now spends her days in detention feeling isolated and invisible. When mysterious letters left in her locker hint at another victim, Alicia struggles to keep up the walls she's built around her trauma. At the same time, her growing attraction to a new girl in school makes her question what those walls are really keeping out.
"[This] fierce and brightly burning feminist roar…paints a devastating and haunting portrait of a vulnerable young woman discovering the power of her voice, her courage, and her rage." —Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of Internment and Hollow Fires
Shipping Notes
- Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
- Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
- Delivery to the USA:
- Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
- If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
- We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
- Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
- To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
- Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
4.6 ★★★★★
Based on 371 reviews
Sort
Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Don’t let the bad reviews deter you from saving your skin
Style: Restorative Protective Cream-3.3 Fl Oz, Style: Restorative Protective Cream-3.3 Fl Oz
I avoided purchasing this product for a while due to the bad reviews. However, it is still highly recommended by several dermatologist for skin barrier repair. Upon doing my own research, the product can separate if it is stored in cold temperatures (41 degrees or less). This can be fixed people!! It literally says it on the bottle/box and there’s even a video that Amazon posted saying this can happen. It does not affect the product. It’s just the thermal spring water and some oil separating but it can be reincorporated.
So I took the risk and ordered this. I’m a first time purchaser. It was already at my door when I was leaving for the gym at 5:30am so I let the package sit in my car for about 1.5 hours (temp was about 70s). I put the tube in a glass of hot sink water for 10 minutes when I got home. I rolled the tube in my hands for a few minutes to mix everything together. Guess what. It came out like a CREAM. No liquid shot out at me. If you can read, do a little research, and can follow instructions, you can get a working product.
I have sensitive skin. It’s been a struggle healing my skin barrier but it was getting better. I decided to do something dumb and try dermaplaning. My cheeks have been very red and irritated since. I did avoid active products for a few days after dermaplaning but it was still irritated. Just with the first time use of this product, it was nearly instant relief of some of the redness. It’s fragrance less which is great. It is currently on sale so I think the value is good for what it is right now. I only used two pea-sized amount for my whole face so I think it will last awhile.
This can significantly help your skin barrier! Do your own research and read the instructions!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026
★★★★★ 3
Samples great, purchased product not
Style: Restorative Protective Cream-1.3 Fl Oz
My dermatologist recommended this cream after a laser procedure, and gave me some samples to take home. I found the thick, smooth cream calming and protective for my irritated skin. The zinc oxide leaves a whitish cast at first, which does tend to fade after it sinks in, but it could be problem if you have darker skin. Not an issue for me since I’m pale.
Because I liked the samples, I ordered two full-size tubes. Both arrived with the product inside completely separated. The texture was nothing like the samples. I opened the first tube and clear, watery liquid spilled everywhere. I quickly recapped it, shook and squeezed the tube as much as possible to try to re-emulsify the product, and it remained stubbornly separated, with chunky white paste suspended in thin liquid. I’ve thoroughly shaken the second tube and continue to hear the sloshing of thin liquid. So apparently once the cream has separated, it will not re-mix.
I don’t know what caused the unacceptable condition of the product—manufacturing variation, storage conditions prior to shipping, or conditions during shipment. Whatever it was, I would not buy this product in this way again. The samples were a five star product. The full size product I received was zero stars.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2026
★★★★★ 4
Helped calm my damaged skin barrier, but expect stinging on very raw skin
Style: Restorative Protective Cream-1.3 Fl Oz
I bought this because I severely damaged my skin barrier and needed something gentle that would help my skin calm down and heal. My skin was extremely sensitive, raw, irritated, tight, and honestly uncomfortable even with water touching it.
This did help, but I do want to mention that if your skin is VERY damaged or raw, there can be some stinging at first. I experienced that myself during the first few applications. The stinging didn’t last long for me, but I think it’s important to mention because people with damaged barriers are usually desperate for relief and can panic when products sting.
What ended up helping me most was using this as part of a simple barrier repair routine instead of using it alone.
What I personally did:
* Wet my face first with either water or Avène Thermal Spring Water so my skin was damp but not soaking wet
* Applied the Avène Cicalfate onto the damp skin
* At night, I sealed everything in with CeraVe Healing Ointment (Aquaphor would probably work too)
I repeated this every night before bed and sometimes during the day if I was staying home.
If I was leaving the house during the day, I would do the same steps but use sunscreen instead of sealing with ointment. I honestly think sunscreen is extremely important when your skin barrier is damaged and trying to heal because irritated skin feels even more sensitive when exposed to sunlight.
I used this day and night, very easy to use, and didn’t experience breakouts from it. The texture is thick but comforting once applied, especially when your skin feels dry and stripped.
Overall, I would buy this again. I don’t think it’s some overnight miracle product, but it genuinely helped my skin calm down and recover when my barrier was damaged. I personally didn’t notice any strong fragrance, which I appreciated since my skin was already extremely irritated. I also like how versatile this product is. Even though I originally bought it for barrier damage, I can see why people use it for irritation from retinol, over-exfoliating, dry patches, or skin that just feels compromised in general.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Holy Grail of Moisturizers
Style: Restorative Protective Cream-3.3 Fl Oz
I bought this after hearing a dermatologist on Instagram rave about this cream and now I see why. As someone who suffers from pretty severe eczema this is my go to holy grail for flair ups. Perfect for sensitive skin and can be used daily. It is very thick so provides a thick layer of moisture on your skin. I will say I have bought 2 sizes in this and the smaller size (1.3fl oz) did separate and had a liquid part that would come out. I have bought numerous tubes of the larger size (3.3fl oz) and never had an issue with separation with the larger size. I’m learning as I get older that more expensive does not mean better quality skincare. This is one that is not only affordable, but will also give you noticeable results. I have everyone in my whole family using this product!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2026
★★★★★ 5
I Just Want to Help People With Skin Problems!
Style: Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream
I so wish I had known about this skincare line a long time ago, but just glad I did find it at all. I have rosacea (including ocular rosacea) diagnosed by a dermatologist. I had been through all the typical stores and websites, trying so many things over the last 15 years. Yes, most were supposed to be for people with skin problems. EVERY SINGLE TIME I tried something, within five minutes, my skin was bright red. My skin reacted to EVERYTHING. I started to believe there was not one single product on the entire planet that my skin would not react to! It was so frustrating. Purchase, fail, repeat. Thing is, I had tried their spring water spray. I sort of ignored all the other products until I was talking to someone randomly and they asked if I had tried Avene. Honestly I decided maybe this was providence and that I had better try it just to be on the safe side. What would life be like if I had ignored their advice and not tried it? If this company ever goes out of business, I will have to live with terrible skin because I already know there is nothing else out there. I had read a review whereby someone said their doctor told them the longer they used the products, the better their skin would get. This is completely true. But even initially, all I cared was that I could relieve the dryness with SOMETHING that did not turn my skin RED IMMEDIATELY! Even THAT, I would have been happy with! Now for the rest of the benefits. I had the good intuition to purchase two of these when they were on sale. I am so glad I did. I use it like crazy every chance I get. It just feels so good going on and I like touching my skin even after the product dissipates. No redness, no irritation, it actually CALMS my skin. And makes it like, well, "real skin." I'm glad I also got the thicker version in the tube, Cicalfate. This is my go-to for dryer areas and in the winter. The two together along with the water spray, if you like to use something like that, are a great overall program. Definitely other things I would like to try. Again, my goal was to help others who have skin problems because everything else out there has no concept whatsoever of calming the skin, but the exact opposite -- irritating it worse (even if those products are supposed to help with redness or irritation). And I felt the company truly deserves a shout-out because they GET IT when it comes to skincare products. Whatever they've done, they are experts, far more than all the other skincare lines and I don't care how long those have been around. If it doesn't immediately tell you your skin "likes it" and shows it by not reacting or immediately getting better, why on earth would you pay your hard-earned money to buy it and keep using it? It's worth every penny, don't bat an eyelash, your skin is worth that and more. If it's on sale, get a lot of it because trust me, you are going to want and need it. You will be so glad you got more than one. I definitely am! THANK YOU, AVENE, WE LOVE YOU HERE IN AMERICA! YOU UNDERSTAND SKINCARE LIKE NO OTHER COMPANY!
Update: Wanted to comment that I'm still so grateful for a product that does FAR MORE than what you expect! I recently bought more. I watch my skin calm down the minute I put it on. I don't know entirely how the ingredients do what they do, but to the company ... please don't fix what isn't broken! Too many companies have a good thing and then change it. Please don't, the products are perfect and far beyond expectation! I also wanted to mention it seems the Tolerance tube will get EVERY LAST BIT out, you won't be wondering if there is anything left you are discarding. The Cicalfate tube is a bit different, it's more like a squeeze tube. But I feel I can still get the product out to use it all. That said, you get your money's worth. I'm also starting to use the Cicalfate on my hands in the winter, too (which are sadly starting to show my age). But this product line has literally CHANGED MY LIFE! BUY IT, it's the REAL DEAL!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2025