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It is always risky to reformulate a cult classic, so when La Roche Posay announced they would come out with a new version of their Cicaplast Baume B+ Repairing Balm in 2022, the skincare community did hold its breath. Would the 2022 version be as good as the old one? Or would we, once again, end up with a product that didn’t quite live up to the old version?
I never owned the old version, but I took this reformulation as a sign from the universe to finally get a tube of the Cicaplast Baume B5+ to see where the hype does come from.
As for comparison between old and new, my trusted online source LabMuffinBeauty had a look at the ingredient list and reassured us not much had changed, and Beauty Bloss did a split face comparison on Instagram reporting only minor differences in texture that were in favor of the new version, so I think it is safe to say that there is no need to worry for long time fans.
I looked at this one as well as on other products from the Cicaplast range here if you are interested:
What La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 claims
Ultra-repairing soothing balm clinically proven to immediately soothe uncomfortable, damaged, or irritated skin, and to provide the optimal conditions for faster and better repair from day 1*
Looking at the name of the line first: Cicaplast refers to the addition of Madecassoside, part of Centella Asiatica or Cica (More info: The benefits of Centella Asiatica in skincare), and the B5 refers to the use of Dexpanthenol or Provitamin B5. Both are soothing, supposed to be antiinflammatory and help with wound healing as well as repairing dry skin.
Facts about the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
Prize and size
One tube contains 100 ml and is available for 19,50 € here. There is also a 40 ml for 10,99 € or a 40 ml for 4,99 €, which I really appreciate as it is a special occasion product, at least for me. Finishing the 100 ml before it goes off will be quite the challenge!
Texture and smell of the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
Now as you would expect, it is a thick, firm white cream that has no scent to it. Nothing exciting here, it really feels like the ointment it is.
How to use the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
Although it could be used both morning and night time in theory, it is so thick in texture that I would only do that if I had actual irritated or flaking skin. While it spreads easily enough (and from what I have heard better than the old formula), it leaves like a protective layer on the skin that takes at least ten minutes to disappear enough for me to feel comfortable applying anything on top. That is not surprising, as it is a semi occlusive and this layer is what helps reduce Transepidermal Water Loss, but it is simply not the texture I want on my face during the day. (More info: Emollients vs occlusives and their benefits in skincare). I have to say though it isn’t greasy at all, which was my main initial concern. Once it dries down it leaves the skin slightly tacky.
I didn’t find it to be really hydrating on its own, which again isn’t its purpose, but when I used it on irritated or flaking parts at night, for example around my mouth, it calmed it down immediately and I woke up to much smoother and soothed skin.
The original one is a favorite of many for buffering when introducing Tretinoin, and I can imagine it is beautiful both for that and for calming down any irritation that occurs over time. (More info: How to introduce Retin-A with minimal irritation)
Ingredients of the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
sii|h 0 0, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Shea Butter 
emo|vc, Panthenol so|h 0 0, Zea Mays Starch / Corn Starch vc|abrasive/scrub, Propanediol solv|h, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone emu|surf, Trihydroxystearin vc, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract so|aox|h, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Zinc Gluconate aacne|so, Madecassoside aox|so, Manganese Gluconate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide , Silica vc, Aluminum Hydroxide emo|h|vc, Magnesium Sulfate vc, Mannose h, Capryloyl Glycine surf, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Citric Acid buff, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate chel, Lactobacillus, Acetylated Glycol Stearate emo, Maltodextrin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate emu, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate aox|pres, Ci 77891/Titanium Dioxide col 0 0Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
There is 5% Panthenol paired with the Madecassoside that gives the line its name, and in addition Glycerin as humectant, fermented ingredients (More info: The benefits of fermented ingredients in skincare, The benefits of Panthenol in skincare explained and The benefits of Centella Asiatica in skincare explained) and Shea Butter as additional emollient.
There is also Dimethicone as emollient and Zinc Gluconate, which is antiinflammatory, helps with sebum control and also wound-healing.
(More info: How to read the ingredient list in skincare)
Does it live up to its claims?
Yes.
As long as you refer to a reduced Transepidermal Water Loss as optimal conditions for skin healing and repair, which is not wrong, but a little simplified.
How does it compare to…
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration
I wanted to compare the two because First Aid Beauty uses Colloidal Oat Meal that is known to soothe the skin (More info: The benefits of Colloidal Oat Meal in skincare) and has “skin protectant” on the label. The Ultra Repair Cream is lighter in texture and can be worn during the day – probably more by those with dry skins. I does contain Eucalyptus Essential Oil though, which is an odd choice for a product aimed at irritated skin if you ask me, and in my personal experience doesn’t work as well against flakyness and dry patches despite being more hydrating.
In my opinion, First Aid Beauuty is better for everyday use on dry skin, while the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ is for skin emergencies.
You can read my full review of the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream here.
Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ to?
The baume will earn a place in my skincare emergency kit, both for dry patches in my childrens skin and for my face when I get carried away with the actives.
In my opinion, all skin types can benefit from it as long as it is used as intended, to soothe irritated skin.The baume is not a cosmetically elegant everyday moisturizer, not even for dry skins.
TL;DR
The La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 is a cult favorite for soothing irritated and flaky skin both due to it containing Panthenol and Madecassoside as well as other calming and healing ingredients and due to its thick, occlusive texture that helps reduce Transepidermal Water Loss. It is great after you have overdone the actives or for buffering your Tretinoin. I prefer using it at night because of the texture, but it isn’t as greasy as expected.
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