Why it’s worth it: Oh, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5, the crown jewel of rich creams. As its name suggests, two key ingredients are cica—more specifically, a form called madecassoside—and vitamin B5 (a.k.a. panthenol) to seriously soothe redness, irritation, and above all, dryness. Multiple derms have recommended this formula as a barrier repair cream, including one suitable for people with rosacea. TL;DR Dull, damaged skin trembles at the sight of this nongreasy, semi-matte cream that dries down beautifully and without any heaviness.
“My first impression was: a balm? That must be way too heavy. The plot twist? Cicaplast is more akin to a rich cream, and not greasy-feeling at all—especially after a few minutes have passed. It does take a bit longer to sink in and blend, but it dries down to a semi-matte, velvety finish I barely notice. This is definitely more of a nighttime cream for me—I sometimes even skip my toner/essence steps, so it’s just double-cleanse, a retinol and/or hydrating serum, and Cicaplast. That’s the simplest my p.m. routine has ever been, and honestly, I’m not mad at it. It’s so moisturizing that I still feel the benefits—a.k.a. baby-soft skin—come morning.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: cica, shea butter, panthenol, glycerin, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the experts
- Alexandra Bowles, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Gloria Lin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology based in New York City
- Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Rebecca Marcus, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at North Dallas Dermatology based in Dallas, Texas
- Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology based in Westport, Connecticut
- Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles
- Martha Viera, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Coral Gables, Florida
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best La Roche-Posay products, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified derms and K-beauty experts. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Read more about our favorite skin care:
