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InStyle / Brian Kopinski
La Roche-Posay is one of those skin-care brands that dermatologists will never stop recommending. Since it was founded in 1975, the brand has created products with skin health as the top priority. Most of the products include the brand’s iconic Thermal Spring Water, helping to soothe and nourish the skin in a microbiome-friendly way.
“Thermal spring water has selenium and all these other little natural trace elements that really set your skin up to have a healthy flora,” says Shirley Chi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist Southern California. Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and New Jersey, adds that the water “has also been found to have healing and calming properties for the skin and may be useful in conditions like eczema and rosacea.”
While the products are wonderful for sensitive skin, anyone can find a La Roche-Posay product for their skin type. “There are different products formulated for different skin types, such as cleansers or moisturizers that are better for those with oily skin and some that are better for dry skin,” says Dr. Garshick.
Ahead, you can learn about the best La Roche-Posay products for different skin types and concerns.
Best Overall La Roche-Posay Product
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV
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Walgreens
What We Love: It’s great for all skin types.
What We Don’t Love: It can sometimes pill under makeup.
“One of my favorite moisturizers, this moisturizer contains a combination of ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier and niacinamide which has soothing properties, while also supporting the skin barrier and calming the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “This lightweight cream helps to replenish moisture using glycerin and can be used all year. It is a great option for all skin types as it is oil-free and won’t leave the skin feeling greasy, while still being suitable for those with sensitive skin.”
Type: Facial Moisturizer｜Key Ingredients: Ceramide-3, Glycerin, Niacinamide, and La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water｜Size: 3.38 fl oz
Best Budget La Roche-Posay Product
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5
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La Roche-Posay
What We Love: It’s a multipurpose product.
What We Don’t Love: It’s quite thick, so it may not be a fit for oily/acneic skin.
“This multipurpose cream is a great option for all members of the family as it can be used to help with diaper rash in babies or ease dry, irritated skin in adults,” says Dr. Garshick. “I also love it for post-procedure to help soothe and calm the skin. It can be used on the hands as well to help with dry, cracked skin as it contains benefits to hydrate the skin while simultaneously providing a protective barrier.”
Type: Face and Body Cream ｜Key Ingredients: Vitamin B5, Shea Butter, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Madecassoside, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water｜Size: 1.35 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Product for Rosacea
La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense Serum
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Amazon
What We Love: It’s a moisturizer and a color corrector.
What We Don’t Love: It can leave behind a green tint if too much is applied.
“In addition to providing moisturizing benefits for the skin, as it contains glycerin, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, and neurosensine,” says Dr. Garshick. “This also works to reduce redness, which may be associated with dry skin. It contains color correcting green pigment that can quickly improve the appearance of visible facial redness”.
Type: Cream｜Key Ingredients: Neurosensine, Glycerin, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, and Color-Correcting Green Pigments｜Size: 1.35 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Product for Dry Skin
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+
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La Roche Posay
What We Love: It cleanses while hydrating skin.
What We Don’t Love: The pump can break down with use.
“I use this one on my face,” says Dr. Chi. “It does take off makeup, but it doesn't over dry and it's not very foamy so it doesn't strip away your natural oils. So for people who have ashy skin in the winter, like me, I would recommend this.”
Type: Face and Body Cleanser｜Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water, Shea Butter, Glycerin, Niacinamide, and Aqua Posae Filiformis｜Size: 13.52 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Product for Oily Skin
La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer
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Amazon
What We Love: It’s moisturizing and mattifying.
What We Don’t Love: It can feel drying if too much is used.
“I love this moisturizer for a lot of people, but particularly for acne-prone patients,” says Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, Florida. “It does not break anyone out and also it's very well-tolerated.” It adds such much needed moisture for those using harsh acne products which can be very drying. Plus, it’s made with perlite, “a flat white powder that mattifies,” she adds.
Type: Facial Moisturizer｜Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water, Ceramides, Niacinamide, Perlite, and Scilica｜Size: 2.5 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Product for Sensitive Skin
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil
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CVS
What We Love: It cleanses without stripping.
What We Don’t Love: It’s a foaming cleanser so it’s not best if you’re looking for a traditional oil cleanser.
Dr. Chi loves this for anyone with sensitive skin, including babies and those going through chemotherapy and radiation. “It's an oil cleanser, but it does clean really well. It gets everything off but then doesn't leave you super dry.”
Type: Face and Body Cleanser｜Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, Shea Butter, Niacinamide, and Glycerin｜Size: 13.52 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Product for Combination Skin
La Roche-Posay Foaming Face Wash
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Amazon
What We Love: It’s super effective.
What We Don’t Love: It can be a bit drying during the cooler months.
In the summer, Dr. Chi’s skin cleans more combinations so she’ll reach for this more intensive cleanser. “One little drop you can take off all your makeup and sunscreen — it's amazing,” she says. And because it lathers, Dr. Heather says many of her acneic patients love it. “It’s a great cleanser that gives the patient that foam that they want.”
Type: Facial Cleanser｜Key Ingredients: Ceramide-3, Glycerin, Niacinamide, and La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water｜Size: 13.52 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Product for Extra Dry Skin
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Ap+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer
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Ulta Beauty
What We Love: It repairs dry, rough skin.
What We Don’t Love: It’s super thick so pumping it out can be tricky.
“This cream is for extra dry skin, I feel like which is what we all have in the winter,” says Dr. Chi. “It's for the body and the face and sometimes I layer it on my face, but it's definitely a great body one.”
Type: Body Moisturizer｜Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water, Ceramide-3, Shea Butter, Niacinamide, Glycerin, and Postbiotic Aqua Posae Filiformis｜Size: 13.52 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Product for Dehydrated Skin
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5
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La Roche-Posay
What We Love: It’s super hydrating.
What We Don’t Love: It has a bit of added fragrance, which may cause irritation for some.
“This hyaluronic acid serum helps to hydrate the skin as it combines hyaluronic acid, madecassoside, and vitamin B5 and together leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth, while also plumping the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “It can be used by itself or used under a moisturizer to help seal in the extra moisture boost.”
Type: Facial Serum｜Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Madecassoside, Glycerin, Vitamin B5, Dimethicone, and La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water｜Size: 1.0 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Product for Acne Scars
La Roche-Posay MelaB3 Serum
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La Roche-Posay
What We Love: It’s gentle, yet effective.
What We Don’t Love: It has a bit of added fragrance, which may cause irritation for some.
Both Dr. Garshick and Dr. Chi love this serum for dark spots. “I’m so excited about the MelaB3 serum,” says Dr. Chi, who worked with th4e brand on developing the serum. “The main ingredient is called Melasyl, and it's for hyperpigmentation. It’s a brand-new molecule that blocks melanin production on a molecular level to halt production of hyperpigmentation.”
Type: Facial Serum｜Key Ingredients: Melasyl, Niacinamide, and Thermal Spring Water｜Size: 1.0 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Product for Aging Skin
La Roche Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum
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La Roche Posay
What We Love: It brightens and smooths skin.
What We Don’t Love: The serum can oxidize and change color over time.
Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant that helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles while brightening hyperpigmentation. Plus, it works synergistically with your SPF, boosting protection from environmental aggressors that can exacerbate signs of aging. “I like this one because it’s a vitamin C serum that's extremely efficacious yet affordable, since there's a lot on the market that are over $100,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd.
Type: Facial Serum｜Key Ingredients: 10% Pure Vitamin C, Salicylic Acid, Neurosensine, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, and La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water｜Size: 1.0 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Product for Adult Acne
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment
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La Roche-Posay
What We Love: It kills acne-causing bacteria.
What We Don’t Love: Because it’s so effective, it can be drying.
According to Dr. Chi, this is one of the “best over the counter acne products — period.” The star ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, an antiseptic that helps to kill acne-causing bacteria. It also has exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid, moisturizing glycerin, and oil-absorbing silica.
Type: Facial Treatment｜Key Ingredients: 5.5% Benzoyl Peroxide, Lipo-Hydroxy Acid, Glycerin, and Silica｜Size: 1.35 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Product for Teen Acne
La Roche-Posay Retinoid Acne Treatment
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Ulta
What We Love: It helps clear out clogged pores.
What We Don’t Love: Because it’s so effective, it can be drying.
This is Dr. Chi’s go-to for tweens and teens who don’t want to try a prescription-strength retinoid. “This is perfect because it really, really works,” she says. ”Adapalene used to be a prescription medicine, but now, because it's so safe, they've made it over the counter. And the one by La Roche is so elegant going on. Adapalene is a retinoid and they all cause a little bit of peeling, but this one causes the least in my experience.”
Type: Facial Treatment｜Key Ingredients: Adapalene Gel 0.1%｜Size: 1.6 oz
Best La Roche-Posay Mineral Sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen for Face SPF 50
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Amazon
What We Love: It has a subtle tint.
What We Don’t Love: It’s a mineral sunscreen, so it can leave behind a white cast.
“This well-regarded lightweight sunscreen offers tinted mineral protection, while still being easy to rub in as it leaves behind a natural matte finish,” says Dr. Garshick.” It also incorporates antioxidants as well as iron oxides and together provides protection against UVA/UVB and blue light. While it can be used by all skin types, it is a great option for those with sensitive skin. For those who don’t wear makeup, the tint provides a nice natural coverage, while for those that do prefer makeup, it is easy to apply makeup on top.”
Type: Facial SPF｜Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, Silica, and Iron Oxides｜Size: 1.7 fl oz
Best La Roche-Posay Chemical Sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen
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Amazon
What We Love: It protects without leaving behind a white cast.
What We Don’t Love: It’s a chemical sunscreen, so it may not be best for ultra-sensitive skin.
Dr. Chi loves this for all of her patients, but especially for those with deeper skin tones. “It is great for every skin type including really melanated skin types,” says Dr. Chi. “It just looks really velvety when you put it on and it makes your skin kind of glow. And then on light skin types, it doesn't look greasy. It has to be my favorite over-the-counter sunscreen.”
Type: Face and Body SPF｜Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, Glycerin, Dimethicone, and La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water ｜Size: 3.0 fl oz
What to Keep in Mind
Start slow as you introduce new products.
“Maybe start with just two new products,” says Dr. Chi. “Don't buy eight things and start them all at once because what if something happens and you're not sure which one caused the issue?”
Wait a few weeks before deciding if a new product is right for you.
“Give it six to eight weeks before you say something works or doesn't work,” says Dr. Chi. “Unless of course you start breaking out, then of course that's not going to work. But if you're just looking for results — Is your skin not as dry? Are your dark spots lighter? Especially for the MelaB 3, you're going to need six to eight weeks of treatment. And same thing with the acne Effaclar line with the adapalene. Give it six to eight weeks. These are not things that happen overnight. “
Remember that less is more.
“Especially when starting out, a simple routine tends to be the most effective incorporating essentials like a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen,” says Dr. Garshick. ”If you have particular concerns or are looking to help prevent signs of skin aging, then it can also help to incorporate a serum, such as an antioxidant, or other ingredients like a retinol or exfoliating acid.”
Your Questions, Answered
Why is La Roche-Posay good for sensitive skin?
In addition to the inclusion of the brand’s Thermal Spring Water, La Roche-Posay products have pretty tight ingredient lists, allowing less room for allergic reactions. “The more ingredients you have, the more likely that somebody's allergic to one of them,” says Dr. Chi. The products “don't use a lot of perfumes, preservatives, or dyes," which is also something to consider when shopping for good moisturizers at the drugstore.
Is La Roche-Posay medical grade?
Sort of. “Medical grade does not mean prescription strength,” sys Dr. Chi. “It's a very confusing term. So I would say that it is heavily tested and researched in the field of medicine and pharmaceuticals. But the term medical grade, it doesn't really mean that much.”
Why do dermatologists love La Roche-Posay?
“They do great studies — that's a very easy answer,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. “A lot of companies make very fantastical claims that they don't have any studies to back up…La Roche-Posay hsa really good blinded controlled trials, and lots of data to back up their claims.
Why Shop With Us
Kara Jillian Brown is the beauty editor at InStyle and has worked in the industry for nearly five years. For this piece, she interviewed three board-certified dermatologists: Shirley Chi, MD, Marisa Garshick, MD, and Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD who all love and use La Roche-Posay for themselves, their families, and their patients.
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