With what seems like a new star-spangled Gen-Z or celebrity skincare brand launching every day, it can be easy to get distracted by bold claims and aesthetic packaging.
While these products can sometimes live up to the hype, we’ve probably all been guilty of letting brands that offer incredible results without the fuss fall off our skincare radar.
You know the brands; you’ve seen them in your local high street store for years, your mum might have even used them when you were younger, but the straight-forward packaging and science-led formulations didn’t exactly scream “BUY ME!”
I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of the same, and one brand that I slept on for way too long and now recommend to everyone is La Roche-Posay.
What is so good about La Roche-Posay?
To be honest, I used to be pretty overwhelmed any time I looked at La Roche-Posay’s packaging, seeing the French text and putting it back on the shelf for an alternative.
But French GCSE trauma aside, it turns out that La Roche-Posay really is a brand for everyone. Whether you’re a skincare newbie just wanting a straightforward routine or an ingredient-obsessive looking for efficacious active formulations, this brand has a seriously comprehensive offering.
How to choose the right La Roche-Posay product
La Roche-Posay’s product range is dermatologist-approved and comes as the result of years of science-backed research. While that might leave you feeling like you don’t know where to start, have no fear.
The brand sorts its products into ranges to target different skincare concerns, from its relatively new and hugely popular Cicaplast range to its classic Effaclar range, which is widely heralded by those with blemish-prone skin.
The best La Roche-Posay products
So, what should you try from the brand? Since becoming a full-on LRP convert, these are some of my firm favourites, along with some new discoveries that you just can’t miss.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Moisturiser for Sensitive Blemish-Prone Skin, £18.50
When I started suffering with hormonal acne for the first time in my early twenties, my skin routine needed a complete overhaul, and this is one of the products that really helped to manage my breakouts.
You only need the smallest amount and although you’ll likely find that you’ll get more blemishes in the first few weeks of using it (this is your skin purging), after that I noticed a reduction in the lifespan and number of breakouts I was getting.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Unifiant Tinted Moisturiser, £20
If you suffer from blemish-prone skin but want to keep your base makeup lightweight and fresh feeling, La Roche-Posay’s tinted moisturiser is incredible.
Unlike super-matte foundations which can sometimes dry the skin out, this tinted moisturiser has a soft matte finish while still delivering hydration to the skin.
What’s more, its formulation is enriched with a blend of niacinamide, salicylic acid and linoleic acid to help treat blemishes as you wear it.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50, £17.99
We all know we should be wearing SPF every day, but if you’ve been put off by chalky or thick formulations in the past, you might be less inclined to do so.
La Roche-Posay’s UVMUNE sun protection is so lightweight it’s almost water-like, with a completely invisible finish that protects against UVA, UVB and Ultra Long UV. All the protection, none of the unwanted white cast.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Soothing Face and Body Balm, £10
Another hit from the Cicaplast range, this soothing balm is something you’ll want to slather on stat if you have dried-out autumn/winter skin or a compromised barrier.
Thanks to its gentle formulation it can be used on sensitive skin types to protect and soothe, and it’s even been lauded as a great spot treatment on Tiktok.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Softening Foaming Gel Cleanser, £15
An everyday, hydrating cleanser should be a staple in everyone’s skincare routine.
This gentle wash-off gel cleanser takes off daily grime and makeup without stripping the skin, and is a really great option for those who find most cleansers to be too harsh and irritating.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Soothing Repairing Spray, £14
Ever since I discovered moisture sandwiching, I’ve not been without a skincare spray in my routine. It’s an absolute must if you have dehydrated, stressed out or tight-feeling skin that just needs that extra hit of hydration.
Mist this after you cleanse and before you apply your serum for that ‘moisture sandwich’ effect; it really makes a difference in how your skin feels throughout the day.
In short, moisture sandwiching involves spritzing your face with a skincare spray until damp and then locking it in with the rest of your routine to increase the levels of moisture in your skin.
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