It’s not often that a single skin-care product earns rave reviews from millennials and their parents alike. Yet La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast Balm B5 ($19) has achieved just that, becoming the unsung hero in bathroom cabinets across generations. As seen in a recent survey of more than 1,600 NewBeauty readers, this under-$20 cream has sparked a quiet revolution, proving that effective skin care doesn’t require a luxury price tag.
The dermatologist-recommended cream, formulated with shea butter, glycerin and the brand’s soothing mineral water, has captured the hearts of skin-care enthusiasts in their 30s, 40s and 50s for its versatile benefits. Ahead, what our readers had to say about the healing cream they can’t live without.
Skin Barrier Repair + Protection
The balm’s ability to repair and protect the skin barrier is a key selling point for many users. A 50-year-old reader praises it as “perfect for repairing the skin barrier when compromised,” using it as the final step in their nighttime routine. “Cicaplast is the best skin barrier protector and hydrator,” shared a 43-year-old user. A 42-year-old recommends it as “fantastic for a final step when your skin barrier is compromised.”
Deep Hydration
Across age groups, users rave about the balm’s hydrating properties. A 50-year-old reviewer notes, “My skin is soft and hydrated the next morning.” A 31-year-old user who discovered the product in Paris seven years ago loves how it “locks everything in like a thick moisturizer.” A 38-year-old reader agrees, saying it “leaves my hands fully [hydrated],” praising its effectiveness on the body, too.
Post-Retinol Care
Several users in their 40s specifically highlight the balm’s benefits when used after retinol. A 44-year-old shares, “Cicaplast Baume [is] my fav cream to use after retinol or as a mask when my skin is irritated or dehydrated.” Another 44-year-old reports, “Use nightly after retinol, helped my very sensitive skin from being dry and flakey to healthy again.”
Healing + Soothing Properties
The balm’s ability to heal and soothe various skin concerns is praised across different ages. A 45-year-old with lifelong eczema finds that it “calm[s] and helps heal the skin so much faster than any other product I’ve used OTC.” A 40-year-old reader shares, “Cicaplast Balm has saved my skin in so many instances. It has cleared rashes, fixed dry skin.” Multiple users in their 30s mention its benefits for sensitive skin and eczema, with one 36-year-old noting it’s “Great for sensitive skin; amazing at protecting skin from dryness and repairing dry skin.”
The Bottom Line
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 has cemented its place as a skin-care staple for NewBeauty readers across generations. Its versatility in addressing a spectrum of concerns—from fortifying the skin barrier to delivering deep hydration and calming sensitive skin—has earned it a devoted following in countless skin-care routines. With its impressive performance and a price tag under $20, this multi-tasking balm proves that effective skin care doesn’t have to break the bank.
