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I will admit that I purchased the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B 5+ SPF 50 by accident – I wanted the original one to see if the recent reformulation had made it worse (it didn’t), but because the tubes look incredibly similar and I was in a rush, I overlooked the tiny „SPF 50“ on the tube. (YES, it is bright orange! I know!)
Not really a problem, I figured. That would give me the opportunity to test both of them and see which one I’d prefer.
Well, dear reader, it isn’t this one. And before I go in detail why, let me quickly provide you with a link to the video where I compare the two:
What La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 with SPF 50+ claims
Double action formula to soothe and protect sensitive skin
Let’s look at the name 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, and that is reflected in the claims. Compared to the original version, this one offers additional sunprotection, although La Roche Posay tells you not to use it as your only sunscreen – a very wise recommendation if you ask me, we will get to that later.
Facts about the La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 with SPF 50+
Prize and size
While the original version comes in three different sizes, there is currently only one for the baume with SPF: 40 ml that are available for 12,50 € on the website here.
Texture and smell of the La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 with SPF 50+
It is a thick, firm off-white cream, that has a faint, but noticeable sunscreen scent. And when I say thick, I mean it: It isn’t the easiest to spread and definitely needs some working into the skin – not comparable to my favorite office sunscreens.
How to use the La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 with SPF 50+
While in theory it can be used both morning and night time, it is so thick in texture that I would only do that if I had actual irritated or flaking skin. And I don’t care that it spreads easier than I anticipated and is way less greasy than I thought it would be. It just isn’t a texture I like having on my face during the day, especially not as it has a tendency to pill with anything I put on top.
It also doesn’t feel particularly hydrating on it’s own and it obviously doesn’t lend itself to night time use either, as it contains sunscreen filters.
The only time I can see myself getting use out of this is when I am out skiing or doing a winter hike in the freezing cold in the mountains, which doesn’t really happen much.
Ingredients of the La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 with SPF 50+
Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
It combines 5% Panthenol paired with Madecassoside that give the line its name, as well as Dimethicone as emollient and Zinc Gluconate, which is antiinflammatory, to help with sebum control and also wound-healing (More info: The benefits of Panthenol in skincare explained). Opposed to the original it is missing the Glycerin as well as the fermented ingredients.
The Baume SPF 50+ also features Alcohol, probably as solvent for the sunscreen filters, (More info: Is Alcohol in skincare bad for you?) and then the filters themselves: Homosalate, an older filter with UVB protection, Octisalate, another older one with UVB protection, Avobenzone, again an older filter, but this time with UVA protection, Octocrylene, an older filter protecting in the UVB and a little bit in the UVA range and then two newer filters: Tinosorb S, protecting from both UVB and UVA and Uvinul T 150, protecting from UVB. While this is a solid mix of different filters, it is a little more old fashioned compared to my current favorite sunscreen formulations. (More info: The difference between chemical and physical sunscreen filters)
Does it live up to its claims?
Hm.
It has soothing and protecting ingredients, but the choice of filters might not be the best for skin that is prone to rosacea (triggers are individual, but many don’t tolerate the older filters that good).
Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 with SPF 50+ to?
No, but you might have already guessed that, and I probably wouldn’t recommend it, no matter your skin type. The only ver specific situations I could imagine using it is as a thick layer over the hight points on my face in winter outdoor situations or if I had a fresh scar on the face that needed the occlusive texture as well as the sun protection, but even then I would probably pair my favorite sunscreen with a layer of the original Baume B5+.
TL;DR
While I am a fan of the original Cicaplast Baume B5+ for skin emergencies, I am not a fan of the version with SPF 50. It uses organic filters, both older and new ones, but wasn’t comfortable in texture and prone to pilling, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
Shop more from the La Roche Posay Cicaplast line
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