My DMs are flooded. Everyone’s asking if the new La Roche-Posay Toleriane cleanser is a total flop.
The real panic? This was the one thing people with reactive, eczema-prone skin could use without a second thought. Now that trust is broken.
It’s still a $16.99 milky cleanser. The claim? “Gently cleanses while respecting the skin barrier.” The old one did. The new one…
New Pump
Feels cheaper and dispenses a thinner stream.
Scent Shift
The old “nothing” scent is now a faint, plasticky one.
Texture Tweak
Feels slightly more slippery, less creamy on the skin.
They kept the big names: prebiotic thermal spring water and ceramide-3. But the formula feels leaner. Like they stripped out some of the comforting emollients.
- Niacinamide: Still there for barrier support
- Glycerin: The main humectant for hydration
- Ceramide-3: Helps repair the skin barrier
- Carbomer: A thickening agent — feels like they used less
It’s still a milky gel, but it slips faster. Lathers a tiny bit more — which my dry skin side-eyes. Rinses clean, but that tight, “squeaky” feeling comes 30 seconds faster.
After two weeks, my skin wasn’t angry. But it also wasn’t as calm. That post-cleanse “plump” was missing. I needed moisturizer 5 minutes sooner.
It still cleans. Zero breakouts. But the magic buffer for ultra-sensitive skin is diminished. It’s now a good basic, not a standout savior.
It’s not worse for everyone. But for its core audience? It’s a letdown. They fixed what wasn’t broken.