Slathered my face in balm like a glazed donut for a month. All for science.
The real test? Whether this viral hack would heal my winter-chapped skin or just clog every pore on my face.
It’s La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast Baume B5+. About $16. The claim? Repairs your skin barrier overnight. I was skeptical.
Texture
Thick, white, and paste-like — not a lotion.
Scent
Medicinal, sterile. Smells like a pharmacy.
Packaging
A metal tube. Feels clinical, not luxurious.
Photo: Angelina / Unsplash
Forget the hype. This is a repair cream, not magic. The hero is Madecassoside — a powerful anti-inflammatory from centella.
- Madecassoside: Soothes redness and irritation
- Panthenol (B5): Holds moisture in
- Shea Butter: Occlusive barrier
- Zinc: Mildly mattifying and protective
Photo: Fleur Kaan / Unsplash
Goes on like spackle. A white cast for a solid minute. Then it melts into a shiny, protective film. You will stick to your pillowcase.
Surprise: My skin drank it up. No new breakouts. The real win? Waking up with zero tightness. Even after retinol.
Flaky patches? Gone in 3 days. Redness? Calmer. But it didn’t shrink pores or cure acne. It’s a fixer, not a preventer.
Slugging with this isn’t a silly trend. It’s targeted repair for compromised skin. But it’s a tool, not a lifestyle.