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6 Best La Roche-Posay Products for Sensitive Skin

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You're in luck! Our favorite La Roche-Posay products are on sale for Amazon Prime Day. Your dry, irritated skin thanks you in advance.

There’s rarely a time that La Roche-Posay doesn’t make our curated lists. The French pharmacy favorite counts multiple Best of Beauty Award winners, comes consistently recommended by dermatologists, and is beloved by Allure editors (especially those with sensitive skin) for delivering results without irritation. Readers also love that they can stock up on these effective formulations without a hefty price tag.

At the heart of every product is the brand’s signature thermal spring water, straight from the French town it’s named after. Packed with selenium, a natural antioxidant, it’s what gives La Roche-Posay products their soothing superpower—helping calm redness, strengthen the barrier, and keep skin balanced. It’s the secret sauce behind all those gentle yet effective cleansers, sunscreens, and serums we can’t stop recommending. Keep scrolling for the skin-care products we swear by.

Our Top La Roche-Posay Products

  • Sheer Genius: Anthelios Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen SPF 50, $43 $34
  • Bounce Back: Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $40 $32
  • Bright Idea: Mela B3 Serum, $45 $36
  • Soothing Start: Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, $25 $21
  • Barrier Boss: Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, $20 $16
  • Body Guard: Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream, $23 $18
  • Dull Skin, Where?: Pure Vitamin C12 Serum, $45 $36
  • Seeking Calm: Cicaplast Balm B5, $19 $17

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

  • Meet the experts
  • How we test and review products
  • Our staff and testers

Sheer Genius: Anthelios Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen SPF 50

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen in branded component on a light gray background

La Roche-Posay

Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen

$43 $34 (21% off)

Amazon

$43

Dermstore

$43

Ulta Beauty

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen SPF 50

Deanna Pai

Why it's worth it: Sunscreen can be a tricky step, particularly for sensitive skin: The wrong formula can cause more irritation, but skipping SPF altogether can (obviously) make things worse. That’s why Anthelios Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen SPF 50 is a standout with both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to gently reflect UV rays, while vitamin E and thermal spring water help soothe and protect against free radicals. Its silky, fast-absorbing texture sinks in instantly and “it has a subtle mattifying effect that’s perfect to wear under makeup,” says Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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“I don't typically trust untinted mineral sunscreens, since they almost always leave a white cast on my olive skin. Not La Roche-Posay Anthelios! It's practically perfect: It doesn't have a weird scent, absorbs quickly, and even seems to control the shine on my nose, leaving my very oily T-zone looking more matte, but not flat or one-dimensional. The tube also holds a ton of product, too, so it can last me through a beach trip and then some.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: titanium dioxide (6%), zinc oxide (5%), vitamin E, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Bounce Back: Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum in branded component on a light gray background

La Roche-Posay

Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$40 $32 (20% off)

Amazon

$40

Dermstore

$40

Ulta Beauty

Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Sarah Hoffmann

Why it's worth it: Hyaluronic acid has become a must-have ingredient for many of us in the quest for supple, glowy, hydrated skin. “[Two forms of] pure hyaluronic acid locks in moisture, madecassosides—which are wound-healing agents derived from Centella asiatica—nourish your skin barrier, and vitamin B5 soothes and hydrates,” says Alexandra Bowles, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cincinnati, OH. The lightweight gel texture sinks in fast, leaving skin plump, smooth, and dewy. Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut, previously told Allure that, regardless of your skin type, this product is a great starting point if you’re new to serums.

Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann

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“There are few skin issues in my life that a good hyaluronic acid serum can't fix. Dry patches? Hyaluronic acid. Dull skin? Hyaluronic acid. Clogged pores? You wouldn't think it, but hyaluronic acid genuinely helps balance my skin so it's not producing the excess oil that pisses my pores off. La Roche-Posay's Hyalu is the platonic ideal of an HA serum to me: medium viscosity, non-sticky, and vaguely aquatic smelling. My skin is always better off when I make the time to stack it in ahead of moisturizer.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, madecassoside, glycerin, vitamin B5, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
  • Fragrance-free: no

Bright Idea: Mela B3 Serum

La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Corrector Serum in branded drip component on a light gray background

La Roche-Posay

Mela B3 Dark Spot Corrector Serum

$45 $36 (20% off)

Amazon

$45

Dermstore

$45

Ulta Beauty

Allure associate manager Melanie Curry applying La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum

Melanie Curry

Why it's worth it: If you’re dealing with uneven tone, dark spots, or hyperpigmentation from breakouts, Mela B3 Serum has you covered with its silky, lightweight formula that pairs 10% niacinamide—to calm and strengthen the skin barrier—with a brightening molecule called melasyl. “This novel pigment-fighting molecule has demonstrated promising results for multiple skin concerns in clinical studies,” Rebecca Marcus, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas, previously told Allure. To top it off, lipohydroxy acid (LHA), a gentle exfoliant, helps sweep away dead skin cells for instant radiance and a more even-looking complexion over time.

Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry

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“I started using this serum two months ago, and I've seen small improvements. My dark spots (specifically the acne scars under my chin) have slowly started to fade, and my skin has become slightly more even. A little goes a long way with this serum. A drop or two every night before moisturizing and your skin becomes less discolored and more plump. And while results do take long (don't they always?), they do happen.” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: melasyl, niacinamide, retinyl palmitate
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Soothing Start: Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser in branded component on a light gray background

La Roche-Posay

Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

$20 $16 (20% off)

Amazon

$20

Dermstore

Pai using the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

Deanna Pai

Why it's worth it: With a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association (and a few Best of Beauty Awards to match), the brand’s Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is one of our favorite facial cleansers for its creamy, gentle formula. A hydrating, hardworking mix of ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, and prebiotic thermal water helps restore and reinforce the skin barrier. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, recommends the soap-free, oil-free formula for individuals with sensitive, easily irritated, or dry skin types.

Tester feedback from Pai

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“Sorry, but I love to beat up my skin. There's nothing that I won't put on or in it—retinol! Glycolic acid! Botox! And whenever that comes around to bite me—meaning my skin feels tight and raw—I rely on this cleanser, which feels instantly nourishing. It's powerful enough to remove my makeup (although I do tackle waterproof mascara with my micellar water) but always leaves my skin calm, cool, and comfortable.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Barrier Boss: Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer in branded tube component on a light gray background

La Roche-Posay

Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

$25 $21 (16% off)

Amazon

$25

Dermstore

$26

Ulta Beauty

Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin applying the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

Shanna Shipin

Why it's worth it: If your skin’s barrier has been through it (think dryness, irritation, or over-exfoliation), the brand’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer is what our tester referred to as an “emotional support moisturizer.” It strengthens and hydrates with ceramides to help restore the skin’s natural barrier and thermal water to soothe and rebalance. Niacinamide steps in to calm redness and even out the tone, while glycerin provides up to 48 hours of hydration without leaving a heavy residue. The lightweight cream sinks in fast, leaving skin soft, smooth, and comforted—perfect under makeup or on its own. If you have oily skin and prefer a matte option, Martha Viera, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Coral Gables, FL, previously recommended the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer.

Tester feedback from shopping director Shanna Shipin

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“It's up there with Aquaphor as a product that I can trust to perform no matter how dry or damaged my skin barrier is. It doesn't go big on fancy fine-line-reducing ingredients or anything, and instead focuses on hydration. It leaves my skin wrapped in a cocoon of moisture—but not the overbearing and itchy kind! It plays nicely with my angry eczema flare-ups, and has no fragrance, so I can use it on my kids too.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Body Guard: Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream in branded component on a light gray background

La Roche-Posay

Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

$23 $18 (22% off)

Amazon

$23

Dermstore

$23

Ulta Beauty

Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

Why it's worth it: When caring for the neck down, La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream is a must-have for restoring comfort and softness to dry, irritated skin. This rich yet fast-absorbing cream features a mix of shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide to deeply hydrate, soothe, and strengthen the skin barrier. “Lipikar has both moisturizers that help replenish the natural moisturizers that lessen with age and niacinamide that helps with discoloration and redness,” Stephanie Saxton-Daniels, MD, a Dallas-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure. Add in the brand’s classic prebiotic thermal water, and you’ve got a formula gentle enough for sensitive and eczema-prone skin.

Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen

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“Fun fact: Tattoos can produce histamines that make your skin super itchy, sometimes for seeminly no reason at all. I'm heavily tattooed from head to toe, leaving me prone to the occasional, dreaded, full-body itch. The other morning, I was literally woken from my slumber (rude) by my skin just begging to be scratched, so I went straight to the bathroom to slather myself in La Roche-Posay's Lipikar AP+ Cream. The itching went away almost immediately, which I see as a testament to just how soothing and repairative this lipid-enriched formula really is. It's great if you have tattoos, sure, but it's also great for anyone with excema, generally dry or sensitive skin, or anyone just looking to get a little hydration boost without feeling slippery or sticky afterward.” —Nicola Dall'Asen, senior news editor

Tester feedback from former deputy beauty director Elizabeth Siegel

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“The fragrance-free formula is perfect in its simplicity. And because it’s loaded with some tried-and-true moisturizers—shea butter, glycerin—it’s also effective enough that it got rid of a stubborn dry flaky patch on my hand (the result of my engagement ring rubbing against my pinky 24/7).” —Elizabeth Siegel, former deputy beauty director

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: shea butter, thermal water, glycerin, niacinamide
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Dull Skin, Where?: Pure Vitamin C12 Serum

An orange and white dropper bottle of La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C12 Serum on a light gray background

La Roche-Posay

Pure Vitamin C12 Serum

$45 $36 (20% off)

Amazon

$45

Dermstore

$47

Ulta Beauty

Allure social media director Kassidy Silva applying La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C12

Kassidy Silva

Why it's worth it: In case you've been living under a rock, vitamin C has long been a gold standard for skin brightening. To sum things up, it's a powerful antioxidant that inhibits melanin production (which leads to dark spots and discoloration), defends against free radicals (which speed up signs of aging, like fine lines), and encourages collagen production for plumper, firmer skin. La Roche-Posay's Pure Vitamin C12 Serum is formulated with 12% L-ascorbic acid to address all of the above. The beloved brightener is flanked by salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, as well as the brand's signature thermal spring water, for additional pore-refining, hydrating, and soothing benefits that we can't get enough of.

Tester feedback from social media director Kassidy Silva

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“To say I'm picky in my beauty routine is an understatement. I never hesitate to throw a product in the bin if I see no results after a month and I tested seven other serums before finding my beloved La Roche Posay Vitamin C12. It's simply a cut above the rest. I use about a quarter-size drop of the product each morning after cleansing and using a toner. I quickly swipe it across my face and make sure to work the product down my neck (forgetting my décolletage was a skin-care mistake I made for too long) finishing with a gentle pat to any spots I might have missed. Typically I wait about two minutes for it to dry and finish with a moisturizer before starting my makeup routine. After two months, it's helped bring the luminosity back to my skin and smoothed out the texture epsically around my nose.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: 12% pure vitamin C, salicylic acid, hyalurnic acid, neurosensine (a synthetic dipeptide)
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Seeking Calm: Cicaplast Balm B5

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 white tube on light grey background

La Roche-Posay

Cicaplast Balm B5

$19 $15 (21% off)

Amazon

$19

Dermstore

$19

Ulta Beauty

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5

Sarah Han

Why it's worth it: Oh, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5, the crown jewel of rich creams. As its name suggests, two key ingredients are cica—more specifically, a form called madecassoside—and vitamin B5 (a.k.a. panthenol) to seriously soothe redness, irritation, and above all, dryness. Multiple derms have recommended this formula as a barrier repair cream, including one suitable for people with rosacea. TL;DR Dull, damaged skin trembles at the sight of this nongreasy, semi-matte cream that dries down beautifully and without any heaviness.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“My first impression was: a balm? That must be way too heavy. The plot twist? Cicaplast is more akin to a rich cream, and not greasy-feeling at all—especially after a few minutes have passed. It does take a bit longer to sink in and blend, but it dries down to a semi-matte, velvety finish I barely notice. This is definitely more of a nighttime cream for me—I sometimes even skip my toner/essence steps, so it's just double-cleanse, a retinol and/or hydrating serum, and Cicaplast. That's the simplest my p.m. routine has ever been, and honestly, I'm not mad at it. It's so moisturizing that I still feel the benefits—a.k.a. baby-soft skin—come morning.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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  • Key ingredients: cica, shea butter, panthenol, glycerin
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

Meet the experts

  • Alexandra Bowles, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cincinnati, OH
  • Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
  • Rebecca Marcus, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at North Dallas Dermatology based in Dallas
  • Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology based in Westport, Connecticut
  • Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
  • Martha Viera, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Coral Gables, FL

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best La Roche-Posay products, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified derms and K-beauty experts. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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