This post will review the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Gel B5.
With the original La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume currently going viral, I thought I should review the gel version for those it didn’t work for. I’ve seen several comments from people saying the Baume clogged their pores and caused them to break out.
If you have acne-prone skin, this is possible as emollients like Shea Butter and Dimethicone in products could clog your pores. So, either you use it as a spot treatment, or you don’t use it at all if it is causing you to break out.
Thankfully, the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Gel is a great alternative, and I’ll share more details about it. It.
As we all know, La Roche Posay is a French Pharmacy Skincare brand that collaborates with dermatologists to formulate effective and research-backed skincare products around Thermal Water to treat various skin concerns. I’ve used quite a few products from the brand, and while they might not necessarily be revolutionary, they get the job done.
Their Cicaplast line primarily focuses on barrier repair, with their global bestseller being the Cicaplast Baume. But recently, they have added a couple more products to the range, including the Cicaplast Gel.
Let’s dive further into it!
First Impressions of the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Gel B5
According to La Roche Posay;
CICAPLAST GEL B5 contains active ingredients combined to create an expert recovery skincare:
Immediate soothing: [5% Panthenol] + [La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water]
To aid epidermal recovery: [Madecassoside] + [Copper – Zinc – Manganese] + [Hyaluronic Acid]
Pro-massage invisible gel: [Silicone gel texture enriched with Glycerin]CICAPLAST Gel B5 promotes optimal epidermal recovery: the skin’s barrier function is restored more quickly.
It is enriched with the soothing and anti-inflammatory Madecassoside properties and repairing skin barrier – Panthenol 5%, and anti-bacterial agents.
The silicone gel provides a comfortable “invisible dressing” effect.
Ingredient List & Fragrance
The Cicaplast Baume and Gel are targeted towards different things despite having a similar ingredient list. The former is marketed as a ‘soothing repairing balm’ while the latter as ‘pro-recovery skincare’.
While the Cicaplast Baume is mainly formulated to heal your skin barrier, the Cicaplast Gel, on the other hand, isn’t limited to barrier repair. It has been formulated to be used for all sorts of skincare recovery. From post-stitches, post-cosmetic peeling and post-laser. Isn’t that even more fantastic? We stan a multi-functional product.
But let’s see what ingredients make the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Gel tick:
- La Roche Posay Thermal Water
- Glycerin
- Hyaluronic Acid
- 5% Panthenol
- Madecassoside
- Copper
- Zinc
- Manganese
So, you have Thermal Water and Panthenol to provide soothing benefits. While the Madecassoside, Zinc, Copper and Manganese come together to do the actual job of repair and recovery. Not forgetting the Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid to ensure the formula is hydrating. What more could you possibly want?
As always, the product is alcohol, essential oil and fragrance-free.
Packaging, Texture & Consistency
I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed by a La Roche Posay packaging. So far, they seem to get their packaging right every single time. The Cicaplast Gel B5 isn’t any different.
It is packaged in a 40ml tube with an applicator that makes it super easy to dispense. It comes out as a lightweight gel that disappears into your skin upon application without leaving a tacky finish. If you hate a greasy finish, you’ll be glad to know that this product dries down to a matte finish. This makes it perfect for people with oily skin.
Although, due to the Dimethicone in the ingredients, it feels very silky smooth which acts as a protective barrier.
Price & Availability
I got mine in Brussels for about six euros on sale earlier in the year. From what I can see, the Cicaplast Gel is only available in Europe. So, if you don’t live here and it works well for your skin, I suggest you stock up on a few tubes.
First Impressions of the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Gel B5
I typically use the Cicaplast Baume at the last step of my nighttime skincare routine, so I decided to swap it for the Cicaplast Gel to see how it compares. I have dry, dehydrated skin and prefer the Baume, but the Gel was surprisingly good.
Performance
One of the most striking things about the Gel is its flexibility. I typically reserve using the Baume in my nighttime routine alone. But with the Gel, I could use it in the morning before my sunscreen, and it didn’t pill. It went on as smoothly as it would at night, and there were no issues.
If you want to wear it in the morning under makeup, I don’t think you’ll have any problems with piling as it instantly absorbs into the skin. I also believe you can wear a more emollient moisturizer like the La Roche Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M over it, especially during the winter.
Overall, it is a solid barrier repair product, and if you use it consistently enough, you’ll get about the same results as the Baume. So don’t feel like one is better than the other, as the key ingredients are the same.
After using the Cicaplast line consistently over the last few months, my skin barrier has been transformed. When I use Exfoliating Acids, Retinol or any high percentage serum with actives, it doesn’t sting anymore. It has honestly been a game-changer.
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Gel B5 vs Baume
I’m sure you’re wondering what the most significant differences are. Aside from the textural differences, one is a thick creamy baume, and the other is a silicone gel; the only difference is the two ingredients.
Shea Butter and Vitamin E are the two primary ingredients removed from the Cicaplast Gel to make a less emollient product. If you are familiar with French Pharmacy Skincare, you’ll know that Shea Butter is a critical emollient in many of their products, especially for barrier repair.
But it is great to see La Roche Posay being more inclusive, especially for people with oily or dry acne-prone skin who can’t use the Baume.
Other La Roche Posay Cicaplast Products Worth Trying
- Cicaplast Lips: excellent for dry chapped lips.
- Cicaplast Soothing Wash: good cleanser for sensitive skin.
- Cicaplast Hand Cream: multipurpose moisturizer with 30% Glycerin that can also be used on the face.
- Cicaplast Spray: not my favourite product but it’s great for soothing irritated skin instantly.
- Cicaplast B5 SPF50+: which has eight chemical filters but La Roche Posay claims is not a sun product.
In Conclusion,
If you have oily and/or acne-prone skin and you’re looking for an alternative to the Cicaplast Baume, I suggest you try the Cicaplast Gel B5.
Leave a Reply