These 10 La Roche-Posay Products Are Consistently in My French Pharmacy Haul
There's a reason every skin specialist backs the brand.
One thing I learned very quickly when I took up the beauty beat is that dermatologists love La Roche-Posay. Ask one for skincare recs in pretty much any category—sunscreens, products for sensitive skin, acne solutions—and there’s a solid chance at least one of their picks will come from the storied French pharmacy brand. (Which, considering how flooded the skincare market is, is really saying something.) While I’ve emptied my fair share of LRP products over the years, and can thus speak to their quality firsthand, I still always wonder: In a world filled with science-backed heritage skincare brands, what makes this one so special?
As it turns out, the answer is pretty simple: La Roche-Posay’s offerings “are well priced, well formulated, and contain key active ingredients that deliver results,” says board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD.
More specifically, many of the brand’s products “are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic,” says board-certified dermatologist Gloria Lin, MD. And the company puts in the work to make sure that its products do, “partnering with dermatologists to conduct actual clinical research.” So when you pick up something with that famous white and orange packaging, you can be confident it won’t leave you with stinging skin or, conversely, no results at all: “They favor proven ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide rather than ‘trendy’ ones that lack the science-backed data to support their use,” says Dr. Lin.
While Dr. Shamban says the brand excels across categories, it’s especially adept at “products for compromised skin: lotions, creams, balms, or serums for face and body that address extreme dryness, irritation, atopic conditions, or a compromised barrier. These are pretty exceptional.” Also among the standouts? The sunscreens and moisturizers, “since they can be suitable for a wide variety of skin types and tones,” says Lin.
But which La Roche-Posay products really, really stand out? Read on to discover the best La Roche-Posay products, per me and the derms.
Favorite Face Washes
Every good skincare routine starts with a great face wash—and the best face washes remove the day's dirt, grime, and makeup without leaving your skin tight and dry. These two do exactly that.
Designed for “normal” to dry skin, this cleanser has a fan in Shamban. “Containing prebiotic thermal spring water, niacinamide, ceramide-3, and skin-identical lipids, this face wash effectively removes dirt, impurities, and even heavy foundation without stripping the skin.”
Part of the brand’s Effaclar line (which is specifically designed for acne-prone oily and combination skin types), this sudsy wash contains zinc pidolate, which helps balance oil, and the brand’s antioxidant-rich thermal water. It cleanses the face without stripping it—which, speaking from experience, can be a hard needle to thread.
Standout Serums
The “gentle but effective” ethos that defines LRP’s more high-profile categories applies to its serums as well, which are efficacious yet sensitive-skin-friendly.
Even though this lightweight serum hasn’t been around all that long, the glowy, plump finish it imparts has already garnered plenty of fans. The star ingredient is—surprise, surprise—hyaluronic acid, boosted by nourishing centella asiatica and soothing B5 panthenol. Note that the products in the Hyalu B5 line have a slightly fresh scent, but I personally find it light and pleasant.
Along with a 12 percent concentration of brightening vitamin C, this serum incorporates salicylic acid, which helps improve the appearance of pores, and two top-tier humectants, glycerin and hyaluronic acid. And while vitamin C has a bit of a reputation for irritation, as we’ve outlined plenty already, LRP does not do irritating: Thermal spring water and neurosensine bring in the soothing properties, making it safe for even sensitive skin types.
Must-Have Moisturizers
If you, like me, prefer to keep your most potent actives in your serums and treatments in favor of gentler moisturizers, La Roche-Posay has plenty of options. You truly can’t go wrong with any of them, but these two are particularly noteworthy.
“This is my favorite face moisturizer,” says Dr. Lin, who praises it for being hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic. “The niacinamide helps to soothe redness while the ceramides help maintain a healthy skin barrier,” she adds. It’s suitable for all skin types (fun fact: according to our shared Amazon account, my oily-skinned sister has ordered it three times), but there’s also a matte version for those looking for shine control.
I’ve already sung my praises for the serum from the brand’s dark spot-fighting Mela B3 line, so I’ll take this moment to celebrate the lightweight moisturizer. Along with Melasyl, a hyperpigmentation-targeting ingredient, it includes niacinamide and chemical SPF filters (and, as anyone with hyperpigmentation will tell you, sunscreen is the unsung hero of fading dark spots).
Sensitive Skin Picks
Keeping it 100: My skin can tolerate a lot, so I don’t exactly feel comfortable speaking to the sensitive skin category. But if there’s anyone who can, it’s the folks who quite literally do it for a living: Derms. Both of the ones I talked to recommended these two products.
This rich cream is “exceptional for providing soothing, deep moisturization, with a formulation containing panthenol, prebiotics, glycerin, and a derivative of Centella Asiatica,” says Dr. Shamban. Not only is this one popular for treating dry and cracked hands and feet, but “many of my acne patients also use this on their face if they are using prescription oral or topical retinoids, to help combat the known dryness from these medications,” says Dr. Lin.
This thick but fast-absorbing lotion is Dr. Lin’s favorite body moisturizer. It is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, making it suitable for more sensitive skin types, she shares. “It contains ceramides, shea butter, and glycerin to help with hydration, making it perfect for dry, sensitive skin, including those prone to eczema.”
SPF Faves
SPF is one of the brand's most popular categories (which is really saying something), so the options are plentiful. “There are many different types of La Roche-Posay sunscreens, so it may be very personal to your lifestyle and needs for which one you might prefer,” says Dr. Lin.
As a more active person (unfortunately, can’t relate), Lin says she tends to gravitate toward this one. “It is more highly water-resistant—80 minutes—while not leaving a greasy feeling on the skin,” she explains. “It is also nice to have one sunscreen that can be used for both face and body.”
I use the phrase “punches above its price tag” a little liberally, but trust me when I apply it here: This melts-into-the-skin SPF competes with products twice its price. More skincare than sunscreen (though it still has the category’s signature scent), it dries right down without any discernible residue, making it great for layering under makeup or days when you don’t want to feel like you’re wearing anything at all. It’s already earned a spot in my beach bag.
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Meet the Experts
Dr. Ava Shamban, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in California. She is currently a member of the ASDS, the AAD, and serves on the editorial board for The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. In addition to her practices in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, Dr. Ava was also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the UCLA-Geffen School of Medicine.
Dr. Gloria Lin, MD, MS, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing with Schweiger Dermatology Group in Manhattan, NY. Her expertise includes medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology for adult and pediatric patients.
