La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast line features a multitude of products catered to sensitive, irritated skin. But none have quite the soothing superpowers as their hero Cicaplast Baume B5 formula and its serum spin-off.
Keep reading to learn all about the award-winning La Roche Posay Cicaplast Serum. Discover its standout ingredients, proven skin benefits, exactly how to use it, and why it deserves a permanent spot in your skincare lineup.
An Overview of La Roche Posay Cicaplast Serum
Cicaplast serum falls under the protective wing of La Roche Posay’s beloved Cicaplast collection.
This dermatologist-trusted skincare brand hailing from France formulates all its products with sensitive skin in mind. Everything in the lineup aims to calm, restore, and strengthen even the most reactive complexions.
The Cicaplast range specifically targets skin sensitized by external factors like:
- Harsh weather
- Irritating skincare ingredients
- Medical treatments
- Severe dryness
- Repeated rashes
And it does so extremely well thanks to its hero healing ingredient...
The Magic of Madecassoside
Every Cicaplast product contains madecassoside. This natural active derived from the plant Centella Asiatica (also known as cica or gotu kola) works serious magic on stressed skin.
Research shows madecassoside has anti-inflammatory, skin repairing, and protective antioxidative abilities. It also stimulates collagen and elastin to maintain skin’s firmness.
These incredible skin-soothing qualities make Cicaplast products ideal for calming and restoring compromised complexions prone to:
- Redness
- Flaking
- Itching
- Stinging
- Rough patches
The Cicaplast Serum specifically contains a 5% concentration of madecassoside to maximize its healing and hydrating effects.
Let’s explore those benefits further.
5 Reasons Your Skin Will Love La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast Serum
1. Instantly Soothes and Calms
Slathering on Cicaplast Serum is like wrapping your skin in a comforting hug.
The madecassoside gets right to work calming irritation and inflammation. This stops annoying symptoms like stinging, itching, and tightness in their tracks.
Within minutes of smoothing on the serum post-cleanse, users report their skin looks and feels visibly soothed. Redness starts fading fast too.
2. Strengthens and Repairs Skin Barrier
A compromised moisture barrier leaves skin vulnerable to damage. Cicaplast Serum prevents this by reinforcing skin’s protective shield.
It does so in two ways:
Hydrating – Lightweight hyaluronic acid instantly quenches dehydrated skin while strengthening its ability to lock in moisture over time.
Soothing – Madecassoside slashes inflammation. This gives your barrier the calm environment it needs to repair itself. With consistent use, skin transforms from reactive to resilient.
3. Locks In Lasting Hydration
Dehydrated, sensitive skin desperately drinks up any moisture it can get. But it struggles to hold onto it.
Cue the serum’s hero hydrator: hyaluronic acid. This moisture magnet can absorb and retain 1000x its weight in water. It pulls hydration into deeper layers of skin where it’s needed most.
Madecassoside teams up with glycerin for even more long-lasting wetness. Together they create the perfect moisture trap to keep your complexion supple all day long.
4. Restores Radiance
Dull, lackluster skin gets its glow back thanks to the serum’s brightening abilities.
It achieves this through:
- Deep hydration
- Gentle exfoliation
- Calming inflammation
This triple threat reveals fresher, smoother skin by sweeping away dead cells, flakiness, and redness.
5. Reduces Future Skin Reactions
Got sensitive skin prone to rashes, bumps, and rough patches? Cicaplast serum helps prevent future freakouts so you can ditch the endless cycle of repairing damage.
Here’s how:
The madecassoside strengthens your skin barrier and locks in moisture. These two actions stop your skin overreacting to potential triggers.
meanwhile, cica stem cells found naturally in madecassoside speed up recovery time. So your skin heals faster if it does become compromised again.
Over time, skin transforms from oversensitive to resilient thanks to this preventative + restorative approach.
Ready to soothe your sensitive complexion? Here’s how to reap all the benefits of La Posay’s Cicaplast Serum.
How to Use La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast Serum For Best Results
Using Cicaplast Serum is super simple. But proper application ensures you get the most out of its skin-saving ingredients.
Follow these best practices:
Step 1: Cleanse Skin
Wash face with your usual cleanser then pat dry with a soft towel. Make sure no makeup, dirt, or oils remain on skin before applying serum.
Step 2: Apply Serum to Face & Neck
Smooth 3-5 drops over clean, dry skin immediately after cleansing. Gently massage in using light, outward strokes until fully absorbed.
Be sure to include your neck in application too. This often-ignored area shows signs of sensitivity and aging just like your face.
Step 3: Mist With Thermal Water Spray
Misting the iconic La Roche Posay thermal spring water spray over top helps the serum absorb faster while delivering an extra dose of antioxidants.
Feel free to skip this bonus step if you don’t have the spray on hand. The serum is effective on its own.
Step 4: Follow With Moisturizer
Layer your usual sensitive skin-friendly moisturizer over top to lock everything in. This seals in hydration for soft, soothed skin all day.
AM and/or PM Use
Apply Cicaplast Serum once or twice daily as needed whenever skin feels reactive, irritated, or extra parched.
Both morning and evening use is ideal for very sensitive or compromised complexions. For maintenance, apply AM or PM.
And that’s it! Four simple steps to calmer, healthier-looking skin.
Key Ingredients In La Roche Posay Cicaplast Serum
Let’s briefly break down the additional beneficial ingredients that team up with the star player madecassoside:
Hyaluronic acid – Deeply hydrates, plumps and smooths skin by drawing in 1000x its weight in moisture. Soothes irritation too.
Glycerin – Another heavyweight moisturizer that pulls hydration into skin then locks it in to prevent water loss. Boosts barrier function.
Vitamin B5 – Soothes and softens rough patches so skin becomes more resilient against damage. Calms inflammation too.
Together with madecassoside, this complementary trio transforms parched, irritated skin from the inside out. Now that you know the how and why behind using Cicaplast Serum, let’s chat about who it’s for.
Who Is La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast Serum For?
Those with chronically sensitive, easily aggravated complexions benefit most from adding this serum into their routines.
It offers the ultimate antidote to skin sensitized by factors like:
Sensitizing Medications
Topical acne prescriptions like retinoids and benzoyl peroxide often have irritation and dryness as side effects.
Cancer treatments like radiation, oral acne meds, and certain antibiotics also frequently compromise skin.
The serum combats sensitivity caused by these medications while allowing them to keep working effectively.
Underlying Skin Conditions
Ongoing skin issues like eczema, rosacea and psoriasis cause seemingly unprovoked flare-ups. The serum helps prevent and calm related redness, stinging and rough patches.
Harsh Environments
Frigid cold, extreme heat, and dry climates often trigger sensitive skin to freak out. So do pollutants in highly urban areas.
Applying Cicaplast Serum protects skin by locking in moisture and strengthening its barrier function before harsh elements cause a reaction.
Strong Actives
Anti-aging ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, AHA/BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, and fragrant botanical oils can irritate and dry out skin.
Buffering with the Cicaplast Serum helps skin better tolerate these potentially sensitizing ingredients.
Post-Procedure
In-office treatments like laser, peels, microneedling, and facial injections increase skin’s sensitivity temporarily.
Using Cicaplast Serum before and after services promotes healing, prevents infections, and offsets peeling, redness and irritation.
As you can see, just about any skin type can benefit from keeping this SOS serum on standby for times their complexion cries out for soothing.
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Serum vs. Baume: What’s the Difference?
Avid fans of the Cicaplast line may be wondering how the iconic Cicaplast Baume B5 and the Cicaplast Serum differ.
Both offer the same concentration of madecassoside alongside rich moisturizers. Here’s how they compare:
Texture
Cicaplast Baume B5 has an ultra-thick, almost balm-like consistency. Cicaplast Serum features a more elegant gel-cream texture.
Primary Use
The rich balm works best as an overnight mask or spot treatment to speed up healing irritated areas. The lightweight serum layers beautifully under other products for allover sensitive skin care.
Ideal Skin Type
Anyone can use the soothing serum. The richer balm suits driest skin types best. Those prone to clogged pores should avoid using it all over the face.
Added Ingredients
In addition to hero ingredients like madecassoside, the balm formula contains shea butter for extra dry skin nourishment. The serum features more hydrators like hyaluronic acid instead.
Time of Day
The balm excels as a night cream or mask thanks to its thicker texture. The serum layers perfectly under AM and PM moisturizers.
So in summary:
The Cicaplast Baume B5 works best as an ultra-rich spot treatment or overnight mask for extra dry, irritated skin.
The lighter Cicaplast Serum can be used day and night by all skin types prone to sensitivity for an allover skincare boost.
You really can’t go wrong with either. But layering both daily offers the ultimate soothing experience for reactive complexions!
Now let’s chat about what real people love about this miracle Cicaplast Serum.
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Serum Reviews: What Users Are Saying
Cicaplast Serum is racking up rave reviews across the web. After scouring through first-hand experiences, here’s what users consistently report about the serum:
[Cicaplast serum reviews]
Across various skin types and sensitivities, people agree this serum immediately calms the stinging, burning, and tightness that accompanies irritated complexions.
Many also note their red, flaky skin softened and began clearing within days of consistent use. Those with underlying issues like eczema and rosacea saw gradual but noticeable improvements in flare-up frequency too.
Some do advise using a rich moisturizer in addition to the serum if your skin skews very dry. And several warn to avoid applying too close to the eyes as stinging can occur.
Otherwise, Cicaplast Serum earns top marks for its fast-acting soothing and barrier repairing abilities. As one reviewer sums up nicely, it’s “magic in a bottle!”
How Long Does It Take To See Results From Cicaplast Serum?
This serum packs a one-two anti-irritation punch:
Immediate Symptom Relief
Thanks to madecassoside, redness, stinging, tightness, and flakiness starts visibly improving after just one use.
Long-Term Sensitivity Reduction
Strengthening the skin barrier takes consistent daily use for about 4 weeks before you’ll notice lasting resilience against flare-ups.
To maintain results, continue applying Cicaplast Serum as part of your regular AM and PM routine about 3-5x per week whenever skin feels reactive or extra dry.
Some do experience slight initial breakouts or irritation as skin adjusts early on. This is normal. Push through about 2 weeks and you should notice positive changes.
But stop using immediately if a full-on negative reaction occurs and consult a dermatologist if problems persist beyond 4 weeks of daily use.
FAQs About La Roche Posay Cicaplast Serum
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this soothing serum:
Can you use Cicaplast Serum as a moisturizer?
The lightweight serum contains hydrators but isn’t moisturizing enough to use alone, especially for very dry skin. Always follow with a richer cream or lotion.
What’s the shelf life of LRP Cicaplast Serum?
Unopened, LRP products last about 3 years from manufactured date. The opened serum specifically stays fresh and potent for 12 months. Write date opened on bottle and toss once it’s empty or hits the 1-year mark.
Does Cicaplast Serum help acne?
It won’t treat acne directly. But by strengthening your skin barrier, it does help prevent dryness and irritation that leads to inflammation and breakouts. Its healing abilities also minimize scarring.
Can Cicaplast Serum be used around eyes?
Use caution when applying products with shea butter so close to eyes as stinging can occur. Try their Hyalu B5 Eye Serum instead - it shares similar soothing and hydrating abilities.
Is La Roche Posay cruelty-free?
Yes! All La Roche Posay products are certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny. They don’t test on animals at any point during development or manufacturing.
What’s the best way to apply LRP Cicaplast Serum?
Warming up a small amount between fingers helps the serum melt into skin better. Then use light tapping and sweeping motions to press it all over face and neck without dragging or pulling on delicate skin.
Add La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast Serum To Your Skincare Lineup
Have a sensitive, easily irritated complexion? Make the dermatologist-trusted Cicaplast Serum your new skincare best friend.
Hero ingredient madecassoside teams up with hydrating heavy hitters to immediately soothe and protect even the touchiest skin.
Over time, regular use transforms sensitive skin into a resilient barrier that stays calm through almost anything life throws its way.
