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Ingredients in La Roche-Posay’s skin care products
The main ingredient you’ll find in almost every La Roche-Posay product is their selenium-rich thermal spring water.
In their moisturizers, they include ingredients like niacinamide, a form of vitamin B-3, and vegetable (vegan) glycerin, which is a moisturizing agent.
In their cleansers, you’ll find exfoliating LHA, which is a derivative of salicylic acid, ceramides, and glycerin.
They also have several broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreens, which are oxybenzone-free. They do include the chemicals avobenzone and octocrylene, which are still being studied, although no hard evidence has deemed those chemicals harmful. If you prefer a zinc-based sunscreen, they have a zinc formula as well.
One thing you won’t find in most of their products? Fragrances. That’s one of the reasons why dermatologists and people with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies love La Roche-Posay.
Who is La Roche-Posay best for?
While a handful of La Roche-Posay’s products are catered toward treating specific skin conditions like eczema and acne, the overall goal of the brand is to appeal to all skin types. That being said, everyone’s skin is different, so a hit for one person might be a miss for another.
In general, though, La Roche-Posay products get pretty great reviews. I wasn’t able to find any product with fewer than 4 stars on Ulta, Target, or Amazon. I also polled my Instagram friends and only had 1 out of 30 people tell me they didn’t love the products: He said he thought they were overpriced and prefers K-Beauty products.
Do La Roche-Posay products work?
Again, just because the reviews are overwhelmingly good doesn’t mean everyone will have a positive experience using La Roche-Posay products. But based on the 100-plus reviews I’ve read while writing this article, it’s safe to say a lot of people have made La Roche-Posay their go-to for face wash, moisturizer, and SPF — especially folks with sensitive skin.
My experience with La Roche-Posay
My previous routine was making my face feel dry and dull, so my two main goals when trying La Roche-Posay were to increase hydration and even my skin tone.
I’ve been exclusively using La Roche-Posay products for just over 3 weeks and am truly impressed with how bouncy and hydrated my skin looks and feels. I have a lot of smile lines, and I feel like they’re less intense than they were 3 weeks ago. And I’m generally pleased with my skin tone — dare I say, I feel glowy?!
However, I’ve experienced small, yet significant breakouts across my forehead and cheeks in the last few weeks. I don’t typically struggle with acne, so this was a noticeable change, and it appears my skin is purging.
As annoying as the acne is, I’m pleased enough with the other effects, so I’ll keep going with the routine for another week or so to see if my skin adjusts.
Where are La Roche-Posay products sold?
Beyond the brand’s website, La Roche-Posay is available at big brands like Target, Walgreens, Amazon, and Ulta Beauty. I personally found the products I purchased at Duane Reade (a Walgreens brand if you’re not a New Yorker), and they were offering a buy-two-get-one-free offer on La Roche-Posay products.
La Roche-Posay’s return policy
The return policy for La Roche-Posay products will depend on the retailer. The brand’s website allows returns or exchanges within 30 days, but you’ll need to pick up the phone (gasp!) and call their 1-800 number to do so.
Third-party retailers like Target, Amazon, and Ulta Beauty might have an easier return process and lower prices.
Customer reviews
One of the best reviews of La Roche-Posay I got was from a friend. She said, “I have dry, sensitive skin that’s prone to rosacea and acne — truly a dream. All the products I’ve used from them have been pretty hydrating without being irritating or breaking me out.”
However — not to sound like a broken record — what works for one person’s skin might not work for someone else. Just to drive that point home, here are some snippets from reviews on the same product.
Toleriane Gentle Cleanser
“I bought this cleanser in my local Ulta after seeing it there several times and waiting to see how others were reviewing and getting along with it. I was very impressed with the ingredients; it is difficult to find a gentle milk cleanser that is truly acne safe! Or really any cleanser for that matter…” — Ulta Beauty reviewer
“I have been using this product for about 2 weeks. My skin texture has looked terrible, and I have been breaking out. It has been returned.” — Ulta Beauty reviewer
Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer
“I am happy to say I absolutely LOVE it! It is perfect for me. I’m an older lady, and Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer seems to brighten and even my skintone. It absorbs beautifully, and my skin feels just right! This is my new go-to moisturizer.” — Ulta Beauty reviewer
“I love the finish it leaves on my skin and it’s very hydrating, but it gets into my hair and looks like I have flakes and it is just annoying. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone I know to be honest.” — Ulta Beauty reviewer
Brand reputation
La Roche-Posay is part of the L’Oréal Group’s family of brands, alongside big names in skin care like CeraVe, Vichy, and more.
In terms of reputation, our vetting process found La Roche-Posay to be a relatively tame brand — although they don’t have a Better Business Bureau score to reference. They’re often hailed by dermatologists as a safe-to-use brand for all skin types.
La Roche-Posay’s products have a mixed bag of Environmental Working Group (EWG) scores for the inclusion of ingredients the organization has deemed hazardous. Some of their products are well rated by the EWG, while others are flagged for more controversial ingredients like fragrances. Take those with a grain of salt, however, as they also call out the use of oxybenzone, which was discontinued in 2016.
It’s also worth noting that it’s questionable whether La Roche-Posay is an entirely cruelty-free brand. They only allow product testing on animals if the distributing country regulates it, but that unknown may be a deal-breaker for you.
Alternatives to La Roche-Posay
One of the biggest pros of La Roche-Posay is that you’re likely to find their products at your local drugstore. But they’re not always the most budget-friendly or eco-friendly brand on the shelf. Here are some alternatives to consider:
CeraVe
CeraVe is another dermatologist-recommended brand that prioritizes mild formulas for all skin types. They also have some condition-specific formulas for psoriasis, eczema, and acne. You might find some similar mild formulas at a slightly lower price, although they’re often in line with La Roche-Posay.
Cocokind
Cocokind is a brand that has some similar products but prioritizes eco-friendly packaging and sustainably sourced ingredients. You’re likely to find them at your local Target or on websites like Ulta Beauty or Amazon.
Neutrogena
A household name for decades, Neutrogena is a brand you’ll definitely find at a store near you. Their price is slightly lower than La Roche-Posay, but some of their milder formulas might be as good of a fit for you if you have sensitive skin. Folks also rave about this hydrating moisturizer.
Frequently asked questions
Is La Roche-Posay worth the money?
If you’re someone with sensitive skin and looking for a mild or condition-specific formula, you’ll likely find La Roche-Posay to be a reasonable price for the quality. Their products range from $15 for a cleanser to $50 for a retinol, which is on par with a lot of other brands.
Do you recommend LA Roche-Posay?
I can’t speak to the entire line, but the reviews on multiple retailers speak volumes for the brand as a whole.
Despite the growing pains I’ve experienced with switching to a few La Roche-Posay products, I’m pleased enough with the hydrating effects to see it through for a few more weeks. I’d recommend starting with just one new product at a time — lesson learned there! — to make sure it’s a fit for you.
Are there any products you wouldn’t recommend?
I’ve only tried four La Roche-Posay products, but out of those, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t recommend. I will suggest erring on the side of caution with the Pigmentclar cleanser, as the LHA is slightly more intense than I was expecting. But your skin might take to it more quickly than mine!
Takeaway
La Roche-Posay is a dermatologist-recommended and fan-favorite brand. They offer products for all skin types, but are especially suited for folks looking to treat conditions like dryness and eczema.
Of course, not every product will be a hit for you. The brand is widely available at drugstores and comes at a pretty mid-range price, so you can give La Roche-Posay a try for yourself.
