Well, I love it when your skin is finally in a good place, then boom, something happens and you're back to square one. That is me. La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume is for when your skin feels tight, sore, or just plain exhausted. You want something that works fast, and that’s where La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 steps in. This multi-purpose soothing balm has become a TikTok-favourite and dermatologist-approved essential for anyone dealing with dry, sensitive, or irritated skin like I am right now.
I’ve reached for this during Scotland’s colder months when my skin barrier takes a beating, and it did last weekend when I was up a mountain and got windburn. Sometimes it's hard being a beauty blogger and mountian biker. The two worlds are very different but at least I can really put the product I talk about to the test, and oh, I put la roche posay cicaplast b5 to the test.
I can honestly say it’s become one of my most-reached-for products.
Quick Take: If you are short of time
A rich yet non-greasy multi-purpose balm that helps repair the skin barrier, soothe irritation, and hydrate dryness. Powered by vitamin B5, madecassoside, and shea butter, it calms eczema-prone, sensitive, or post-retinol skin within hours. 100% worth the hype and now a permanent part of my skincare routine.What Is La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5?
This dermatologist-tested balm is formulated to protect, restore, and hydrate. It’s suitable for all skin types, even eczema-prone or post-treatment skin, and can be used on the face, body, lips, and hands.
Think of it as a skin-barrier plaster that shields damaged or inflamed skin while helping it heal faster. Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 was recommended to have in my kit when I studied facials and trained to be a make-up artist.
Why It’s Popular Among Skincare Enthusiasts
From beauty editors and educators, TikTok creators, to beauty bloggers, everyone’s obsessed. The balm’s popularity comes from how quickly it calms redness, heals chapped or cracked skin, and makes irritated skin feel instantly better. It's almost like first aid for the skin.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 is even recommended by the National Eczema Association, and it’s one of those rare “one-tube fixes all” products that lives up to the hype.
Ingredients Breakdown
Key Ingredients and Their Benefits
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Vitamin B5 (Panthenol, 5%) – A hero ingredient that helps to soothe, repair, and deeply hydrate dry or irritated skin. It supports the skin’s natural regeneration process and strengthens the protective barrier.
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Madecassoside (from Centella Asiatica) – Known for its skin-repairing and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps calm redness and encourages faster recovery of damaged or stressed skin.
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Tribioma Prebiotic Complex – A unique blend of prebiotics that helps balance the skin’s microbiome, reinforcing the barrier for healthier, more resilient skin over time.
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Shea Butter & Glycerin – These rich emollients nourish and lock in moisture, leaving skin soft, supple, and protected from dryness without feeling greasy.
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Zinc & Manganese – Mineral agents that help protect against irritation and support optimal healing conditions for cracked or chafed skin.
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La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water – Naturally rich in minerals and antioxidants, this signature ingredient soothes sensitivity and provides instant comfort to stressed skin.
Are There Any Potential Irritants?
It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and paraben-free, making it one of the safest options for even reactive skin or eczema, making it one of the most diverse skincare products.
How the Formula Works
The Cicaplast Balm B5 formula focuses on skin barrier repair and moisture retention. The combination of vitamin B5 (panthenol) and madecassoside helps to soothe irritation and support the skin’s natural healing process, while shea butter, glycerin, and a mineral complex (including zinc and manganese) protect and comfort damaged areas.
It essentially acts as a protective layer that keeps moisture in and harmful irritants out. That's the beauty of the prebiotic complex, helping your skin feel calmer, softer, and more resilient without clogging pores. It's an invisible protective layer that's Hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist and paediatric-tested.
Benefits of Cicaplast Balm B5
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Rehydrates dry skin
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Calms eczema flares and irritation
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Helps heal acne scars or post-retinol dryness
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Softens rough patches, chapped lips, and cracked hands
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Suitable for all ages — even babies with nappy rash
After just one use, my skin felt softer and less irritated. By day three, that uncomfortable tightness had completely gone.
Who Can Use Cicaplast Baume B5+ and What It’s For
The La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ is designed for every skin type, but it truly shines on dry, sensitive, and irritated skin. It’s gentle enough for babies, effective for adults, and safe to use on the face, body, and lips.
It’s ideal if your skin is:
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Dry, flaky, or rough
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Eczema-prone or easily irritated
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Recovering from over-exfoliating, chemical peels, or retinol
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Experiencing redness, tightness, or windburn
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Cracked or chafed from cold weather or hand washing
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Sensitive and needs a simple, fragrance-free barrier balm
Because it’s a non-comedogenic and fragrance-free moisturizer, even those with combination or acne-prone skin can use it without worrying about clogged pores. It’s one of those “one-product-fits-all” skincare essentials that the whole family can keep on hand.
Is Cicaplast Baume B5+ Safe for Babies and Family Use?
Yes, and that’s one of the things I love most about it. The Cicaplast Baume B5+ Repairing Balm is paediatric-tested and suitable for babies from three months old, so it’s gentle enough for even the most delicate skin.
It’s brilliant for nappy rash, dry patches, or chafed skin, and can be used anywhere that needs soothing and protection. Because it’s fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist-approved, it’s ideal for the whole family, from baby bottoms to hardworking hands, and any skin irritations.
If you’re a parent or have sensitive skin yourself, it’s one of those handy “one-tube for everyone” products to keep in the bathroom cabinet year-round.
How to Use It in Your Skincare Routine
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Cleanse with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser.
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Apply your serum or treatment (retinol, etc.).
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Finish with a pea-sized amount of Cicaplast Balm B5.
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Use it morning and night, or as an overnight mask when your skin needs extra TLC.
💡 Tip: A tiny amount goes a long way, over-applying can cause mild pilling under makeup.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Instantly soothes and hydrates irritated or dry skin
Fragrance-free, non-greasy, and non-comedogenic — perfect for sensitive skin
Packed with vitamin B5, madecassoside, shea butter, zinc, and manganese
Multi-purpose — works on face, lips, hands, and body
Dermatologist and paediatric tested, approved by the National Eczema Association
Delivers visible results within just a few days
Cons
The texture can feel a little thick on very oily skin
The regular version doesn’t include SPF
Can pill slightly if too much product is applied
Comparisons with Other Products
Compared to CeraVe Healing Ointment or Aquaphor, Cicaplast B5 feels lighter and sinks in faster. It’s less greasy than E45 Repair Cream, but still rich enough to deeply nourish.
If you like multi-purpose balms that don’t leave shine, this wins hands-down.
How Cicaplast Baume B5+ Compares to Other Soothing Creams I’ve Tried
I’ve tested a few barrier-repair creams over the years, and La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ really holds its own against them.
Embryolisse Cicalisse SOS Restorative Cream
Both products are designed to soothe, repair, and hydrate, but they feel completely different on the skin.The Embryolisse Cicalisse has a lighter texture and sinks in faster, making it perfect for daytime use or under makeup.
The Cicaplast Baume B5+, on the other hand, is thicker and more protective — I reach for it when my skin feels sore or windburned.
If you’re looking for an intense overnight repair treatment, Cicaplast wins. If you prefer something softer for daily wear, Cicalisse is a lovely alternative.
BYOMA Hydrating Recovery Oil
The Byoma Hydrating Recovery Oil focuses on hydrating and strengthening the skin barrier using ceramides and niacinamide, whereas Cicaplast is more of a first-aid-style treatment for when your skin barrier is already compromised.I love BYOMA for keeping my skin balanced when it’s behaving, but I switch to Cicaplast B5+ when it’s having a meltdown. They actually pair beautifully — BYOMA for daily maintenance, Cicaplast for rescue mode.
Both have a permanent spot in my routine, but if I had to choose just one for emergency repair, Cicaplast Baume B5+ is still my go-to.
Pricing and Value
The La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ Repairing Balm is available in two sizes:
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40ml – around £8.80 to £11
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100ml – around £15.60 to £19.50
I personally go for the larger 100ml tube because it lasts for months, even with daily use. A tiny amount goes a long way, and one tube easily covers around three months of consistent use. I don’t use it daily for months on end, but if you did, it would last around three months easily.
That works out to roughly 15p a day for calmer, hydrated, and more comfortable skin, which I think is amazing value for such a dermatologist-approved, multi-purpose product. I normally replace mine every six months.
As I always say, shop around, use a discount code or wait for sales. I stocked up during the last Prime Day.
Where to Buy
Available from:
My Review and Experience
I first reached for La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ after my skin barrier completely gave up from a little too much exfoliating (we’ve all been there!). I remember my course leader at beauty school telling me how game-changing this was, and I knew I had done a number on my face and needed to do something.
My face felt tight, sore, and even washing it stung. I applied a thin layer before bed, and by morning, my skin felt noticeably calmer, softer, and far less red; it was like an overnight reset. When you first apply this, there is a little white cast. So I wouldn't recommend this under makeup as it is a very thick cream. Think of it more as an emergency product and treatment.
Since then, it’s become one of those products I reach for constantly. I use it on wind-burned cheeks after mountain biking in the Scottish hills, chapped lips, and dry hands that get battered by cold weather or when I have hit the tretinoin too hard. It melts in easily, never feels greasy, and instantly makes my skin look healthy and hydrated again.
It’s also a total game-changer over retinol, no more flaking or peeling, just smooth, soothed skin. You need it if you are an active, ingredient-type person. It is just wonderful at repairing a damaged skin barrier when I have dry, irritated skin.
I love how versatile it is; whether it’s a tiny patch of irritation or a full skin meltdown, Cicaplast B5+ always brings my skin back to balance. I have to mention my friends with children have used it for chafed skin from diaper rash, too. Basically, any kind of skin reaction can help calm and make it less irritated.
Tip: Less is more. Start with a tiny amount of this multi-purpose soothing cream.
Final Verdict
If you’ve ever searched for a barrier-repair cream that actually works, this is it. If your skin is dry, red, or simply out of sorts, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 is the calm after the storm. It’s ideal for eczema, post-retinol irritation, or weather-damaged skin, and works for the whole family.
Would I repurchase? Absolutely. I already have two new ones. It’s one of those skin care staples you don’t realise you need until you try it, and then you can’t live without la roche-posay cicaplast b5.
FAQs
Is Cicaplast Balm B5 good for all skin types?
Yes, especially dry, sensitive, and combination skin.
Does it contain SPF?
Not in the original formula, but there’s a Cicaplast B5 SPF 50 version.
Can I use it with retinol or acids?
Yes, it’s perfect to soothe and protect after actives.
Is it safe for babies?
Yes, it can even help with nappy rash or chafed skin.
Does it feel greasy?
No, it feels rich but dries down to a soft, non-greasy finish.
Why It’s Worth the Hype
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 is more than a balm; it’s a skin-barrier rescue remedy. It hydrates, soothes, and protects, leaving skin soft, supple, and happy. Whether your skin is sensitive, eczema-prone, or just needs a little TLC, this is one product that truly delivers. Using this balm will help if you have damaged your skin barrier and need that bit of extra help. if you are prone to irritation like me, I always have a tube waiting to go. It really is the multi-purpose soothing cream of dreams. So yes, worth the TikTok hype.
Written by Laura Martin, qualified makeup artist and skincare therapist at MissLJBeauty.com
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