This post will be reviewing the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5.
I remember using this product as an occlusive about three years ago, and I absolutely did not like it.
I found it tacky and not easy to blend like other occlusive.
Once I tried a few ways around it, and it didn’t bulge, I tossed it. In hindsight,
I should have explored it more, like using it under my moisturiser, before giving up.
But now that it is trending on TikTok, I’ve been exposed to new ways to get the best out of this product.
For this reason, I had to get one again on my trip to Brussels last month to give it another chance, given how my skincare routine has evolved since the first time I used it.
I’ve used it a few times now, and can I just say that it isn’t as terrible as I initially thought.
I feel like I was expecting some sort of cosmetic elegance like my typical Korean Skincare products.
But it isn’t that bad, especially when layered over hydrated skin. It’s honestly no surprise that it is going viral right now.
It’s really that good, especially if you have a damaged skin barrier or need something without Petrolatum or Mineral Oil for slugging.
For those that are new to this product, let me introduce you to the awesomeness that it is.
First Impressions of the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
According to La Roche Posay;
This multi-purpose soothing cream for cracked, chapped, chafed skin and dry skin irritations helps to hydrate and soothe. Non-greasy, skin protectant helps to protect & relieve dry, rough skin. Hydrating therapeutic cream protects chafed skin due to diaper rash and helps seal out wetness, while helping to treat & prevent diaper rash. Suitable for adults, children and babies 1 week and up.
It has the same function as Vaseline or Aquaphor, but they have swapped out Petrolatum, Lanolin or Mineral Oil for more soothing ingredients.
Ingredient List & Fragrance
So, let’s take a look at the ingredients that make this formula quite literally brilliant;
- Glycerin
- Shea Butter
- Tocopherol
- 5% Panthenol/Vitamin B5
- Zinc Gluconate
- Madecassoside
- Copper Gluconate
- La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
So you have four soothing ingredients (Panthenol, Zinc Gluconate, Madecassoside, Copper Gluconate) balanced with an emollient for moisturisation (Shea Butter) and finished up with the best water you can use for sensitive, irritated skin (Thermal Spring Water).
Can you see why it is such a fantastic product?
Also, did I mention that it is alcohol, essential oil and fragrance-free? Yes, it absolutely is!
If you have acne-prone and feel the Shea Butter will clog your pores and cause you to break out, try the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Gel B5 instead.
Texture & Consistency
As a balm, you should expect that it would have a thick consistency. But because it’s been formulated with Thermal Spring Water, the consistency is also lightweight and spreadable.
If there wasn’t any water in the formulation, it would be a completely occlusive thick balm.
I honestly don’t mind this texture because it allows for versatility. You can use the product anyhow we deem fit, and it would work.
This is a non-greasy formulation, so it dries down immediately to a matte finish.
Unless you layer essences and serums underneath like me, you’ll have a dewy finish.
So, don’t worry about any greasiness or tackiness.
Packaging, Price & Availability
This product is popular, so you’ll easily find it in drugstores and/or pharmacies in the UK/Europe/US. As for other countries,
I’m unsure, but you can always order it through the verified La Roche Posay store on Amazon.
It comes in two sizes, 40ml and 100ml tubes and retails between $10 – 15 depending on where you buy it. It is pretty affordable for the quality of the product it is.
How To Build A Barrier Repair Routine With The La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume
With the increased availability and accessibility of skincare activities, many of us walk around with a damaged skin barrier, and we don’t know it.
Or we did know it and decided to ignore it, thinking it would go away.
As long as you frequently use Exfoliating Acids and Retinoids in your skincare routine, your skin barrier can easily be damaged.
Signs of a Damaged Skin Barrier
As everyone’s skin is different, a damaged skin barrier manifests in various ways, but these are the general signs;
- Dry, tight, itchy, irritated and sensitive skin due to over-exfoliating.
- Red, flaky skin due to not using Retinoids correctly.
- Unusual bumps and breakouts, particularly whiteheads
- Breakouts that take forever to heal.
- Staple products are not as effective anymore.
4-Step Barrier Repair Routine
When you notice that your skin barrier is damaged, the first thing you need to do is to stop all actives.
This includes Vitamin C, AHA/BHA, Peptides, Retinoids etc.
It’s sometimes difficult to track the exact product that has caused the damage.
So, the safest thing you need to do is stop all actives.
You also need time to streamline your routine because layering too many products simultaneously can be counterintuitive.
Think of it as a recovery period where you’ll let your skin breathe.
No, it won’t set your progress back.
Instead, it will solidify your progress and prevent a relapse.
So, what exactly do you need?
Step 1: Hydrating Cleanser (AM & PM)
Stay away from cleansers with actives, specifically Salicylic Acid, for now. You only need gently hydrating cleansers like:
- Cerave Hydrating Cleanser
- Aveeno Calm & Restore Oat Cleanser
- La Roche Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Step 2: Barrier Repair Serum (AM & PM)
This is such a crucial step.
After removing your serums with actives, you need to replace them with one serum that will speed up healing your barrier.
Like a cut or an injury, you can’t just leave it open. You need to ensure that it is healing.
So, look out for serums with Ceramides, Snail Mucin, Centella Asiatica, Mugwort, Panthenol, Green Tea, etc.
These ingredients will help hydrate, soothe and repair your skin barrier.
Some of the best products are;
- Cosrx Snail Mucin Power Essence
- Purito Centella Unscented Serum
- Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief
- Beauty of Joseon Repair Serum
- Celimax The Real Noni Energy Ampoule
Step 3: Barrier Repair Cream (AM & PM)
This is where the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 comes in.
Some people like to use it as a moisturiser or before or after a moisturiser.
Just try it and find the best method for your skin type.
If it is not enough for your skin, you can always add a moisturiser over it.
Step 4: SPF (AM)
No routine is complete without sun protection. Just because you’re not using actives doesn’t mean you should skip SPF.
The La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 also has an SPF 50 version if you want to simplify your routine further.
You can use that instead in the AM if you like it.
Follow this routine anywhere between 1 week to 1 month until you feel your skin has healed.
Then, slowly introduce actives back into your skin.
You can start with one active per week.
This way, you can trace the product that makes your skin sensitive.
Finally,
You should have a dedicated barrier repair routine if you use actives daily in your skincare routine.
This will ensure that you’re prioritising your skin’s health.
Also, your actives have a better chance of being even more effective.
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