These 7 La Roche Posay products will *actually* make your skincare routine elite
There is a reason La Roche Posay has skin-tok spinning? This iconic French pharmacy fave has been made famous for its derm-approved and white-cast-free sunscreen, their Effaclar range which is sensitive-skin-friendly, and of course the price point. Fair price, even better products.
Now skincare connoisseurs everywhere will happily share with you their passion for French pharmacy products. No, it’s not because a skincare product made in France makes you any chicer (although…), but the reputation they carry. There is a greater emphasis on education for skin health in France and they’re therefore held to a higher standard to produce products using creme de la creme (no pun intended) ingredients, with highly regarded clinical trials which prove that their stuff *actually* works.
Bacne? We don't know her.
Without making you feel like you’re in your year seven history class, it’s important to remember the roots of La Roche. The brand was founded in 1975, in a namesake French town just a two-hour commute from Paris, and to this day that is still its hub.
They have no reason to move of course, because the HQ is only situated slap bang on top of a thermal spring that allows La Roche-Posay to source fresh water. The water from this town is no regular-degular-schmegular water, it’s rich in minerals and antioxidants (namely selenium, which stops free radical damage to avoid premature wrinkles and helps to protect cell membranes against UV damage, inflammation, and pigmentation.) and is used in every single one of the brand’s products. It’s heavily suggested that this is the secret to the potency of their skincare range. Well, that explains the hype…
The brand has also built credibility amongst skincare experts, dermatologists, and medical practitioners due to the popularity of its Thermal Centre – a spa and peace sanctuary that focuses solely on the healing using of water (again, La Roche-Posay’s healing thermal H2O). They call this “balneotherapy,” which has been a popular treatment for centuries to soothe skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema by bathing to promote smoother, nourished, and more hydrated skin.
La Roche Posay’s skincare offers a wide range of products for the face and body and also covers condition-specific formulas but these seven products are the non-negotiables, the ones you absolutely need to make your skincare elite and they all sit under the £35 mark. *insert heart eyes emoji*.
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The broad spectrum sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+ Sun Cream, £15.20, Look Fantastic
This sunscreen has an incredibly new and extra long filter against UVA which means that it’s more effective to not only protect you from sunburn but also to improve the appearance of wrinkles and protect the skin from pigmentating as harshly.“ Longer wavelengths of UVA tend to work synergistically with pollution to damage your collagen, so you want to be using this sunscreen to protect you from UVA and longer wavelength UVA all year round.” says dermatologist Dr. Justine Hextall.
The skin-calming serum
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £32, Feel Unique
This serum had to make the list as the calming and hydrating properties will make you come back for more. Dr. Justine says: “This serum has two different molecular weights, with the smaller one going deep into the skin, and the bigger one sits on the surface of the skin and really holds in molecular.” Ideal to use straight before moisturiser for maximum hydration. This serum is also available with SPF.
The multi-use balm
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm Apbiome, £21, Look Fantastic
This Lipikar Apbiome Balm is a great moisturiser that can be used for both the face and body. “Not only does it contain these really good pre-biotics it also shea butter and niacinamide which is a hero ingredient for inflammation and pigmentation,” says Dr. Justine.
The gentle cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser, £13, Cult Beauty
It’s easy to get find a cleanser with good reviews, however, it’s not as easy to find one that works for you. The Dermo range is suitable for people with super sensitive skin. This glycerin-rich milky cleanser is perfect for daily use, leaving you with a soft and nourished base to work with.
The super potent balm
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5, £5, Cult Beauty
As autumn starts to creep up, we all start to feel like our skin barrier is compromised. A little bit more sore and a bit dryer. Dr. Justine says: “One of the areas that often shows sensitive skin is the nasolabial fold (the creases in your skin extending from both sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth), so Cicablast balm is perfect for that area. Also if you get a burn or any sensitivity on an area with compromised skin barrier you can put it straight on it to speed up healing.” The formula includes shea butter that mimics the natural fats on the skin, madecassoside that stimulates cells for skin barrier repair, and panthenol (B5) which is anti-inflammatory.
The anti-blemish hero
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Moisturiser for Sensitive Blemish-Prone Skin, £14.80, Look Fantastic
This active treatment for acne is loved by many. Not only for its calming and soothing properties but also for how good it’s actually at targeting blemishes and breakouts. “This Effaclar Duo + is great because it helps hydrate the skin and respect the skin barrier but it also has active treatments which are gentle but effective in treating acne, like glycerin to draw moisture to the skin, salicylic acid which helps to unblock the pores and niacinamide which is effective in reducing the appearance of subsequent post-inflammatory pigmentation.”
The sore-sensitive skin hero
La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Serum, £28, Cult Beauty
This serum is formulated with a unique ingredient called neurosensine which is naturally occurring in the body and helps regulate pain, which means that you’ll find instant comfort and a strong calming feature soon after application on sore skin. It’s calming yet effective and will give you long-lasting hydration while working hard to restore your skin barrier.
