Finding a brand of skin care or cosmetics products that suit your lifestyle and budget can take a long time. We inevitably have to make a few mistakes before we find the right brand for us. So in order to make your life a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of brand reviews (and specific products) that we think are perfectly suited to anyone looking to lead a healthier lifestyle.

By this, I simply mean that the products and brands that we select to review are generally made with ethical ingredients. They also typically involve sound, safe manufacturing processes. Those that are cruelty-free and that won’t wind up contaminating your blood with harmful chemicals.

So in the seemingly unending search for effective and healthy products, we’ve found a brand that could really help you heal. It can treat your skin over time and not have a negative effect on your health. This brand is La Roche-Posay, and they’re sure to change your expectations of cosmetics and skin care products for good.

La Roche Posay Company History and Background

La Roche-Posey has one of the oldest histories of any cosmetics company.

Like all things French, the La Roche-Posay company is steeped in rich history and culture. This makes it more than just another skin care brand on the shelf of your local pharmacy.

The brand – ‘La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique’ – was centered around creating products that are safe, efficient and simple. Since 1975, they’ve been doing just that – but they haven’t stopped there.

The company is dedicated to preventing and treating skin cancer. They’ve structured their brand around raising awareness of this serious skin issue. They also take a more ‘grassroots’ approach to skin care in general, focusing on treating skin from inside out, trigger to treatment.

La Roche Posay Products Overview

If you’ve come across this article then you, like so many out there, are probably considering a new line of skin care treatments. And we’d like to make your life easier and simplify your search. So we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular La Roche-Posay products.

Frankly, I hate spending time waiting in lines. And I rarely find a supermarket that has an atmosphere which says ‘Hey, stay a while’. So in order to beat the line and cut out the stress (bad for the skin!), I prefer to shop online.

However, having a guide or reference sheet really helps in this department. I believe that we’re largely tactile creatures who generally ‘shop with our hands’. But because the online experience doesn’t offer as much (basically just sight), I find that knowing what I’m looking for really helps the process along.

So instead of blindly scrolling down a page looking for the first moisturizer or night cream that appeals to you, take a moment to investigate what it is you’re looking for in the first place. Sound advice from an experienced online shopper.

La Roche Posay Cosmetic Hydraphase Intense Light 24-Hour Moisturizer Review

The La Roche-Posay cosmetic hydraphase intense light 24-hour moisturizer.

Formerly known as the Hydraphase Intense Riche, this amazing new moisturizer is made with only the best ingredients. It’s specifically formulated to help soothe and nourish dry, sensitive skin types.

The La Roche-Posay Cosmetic Hydraphase Intense Light 24-Hour Moisturizer contains a wide variety of ingredients to treat the skin – namely hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is linked to our body’s ability to defend against diseases, as it affects cell migration and growth within our body.

La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Facial Sunscreen Review

The La Roche-Posay anthelios ultra light facial sunscreen.

One of the most effective natural elements we have against the damaging effects of the sun is zinc oxide. It’s a naturally occurring, metallic element. It has large or heavy molecules which help refract, and ultimately block, the sun’s UV rays.

However, in recent times, scientists have created a nanoparticle version of zinc oxide. This makes the formula better-suited for skin treatment.

Because of this, La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Ultra Light Facial Sunscreen helps prevent the effects of the sun’s rays. Iit does so without leaving a thick or film-like layer on the surface of your skin. This is great for those of us who have sensitive skin but are wary of the SPF-rated products we use precisely because they leave a layer on our skin.

When it comes to sunscreen, it’s best not to ‘cheap-out’. I would highly recommend finding one that suits your lifestyle without tearing a hole in your wallet at the same time.

The La Roche-Posay Ultra Light sunscreen really gives you the best value in its price range. It’s effective and will nourish your skin whilst offering protection and leaving it layer-free.

La Roche Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream Review

The La Roche-Posay toleriane purifying foaming cream.

The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream is both a moisturizer and a skin cleanser. This means that it can effectively double as both a toner and moisturizer while having the same effects as a light, natural antiseptic treatment.

The Foaming Cream is rich in stearic and lauric acid. These help remove any dirt or oxidixed oil that may gather in the pores of our skin over the course of the day.

However, unlike conventional toners that tend to have high amounts of glycerol or alcohol-based solvents, Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream is designed to be effective on sensitive skin types.

It has a light and balanced formula that’s effective. Yet it won’t burn or sting your skin. And it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals that ultimately get into your bloodstream and contaminate your system.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Foaming (Medicated) Gel Review

The La Roche-Posay effaclar foaming (medicated) gel.

The Effaclar Foaming Gel is very similar to the Purifying Foaming Cream. Yet its goal is to treat acne-prone skin in general. The gel is mildly formulated to help reduce the formation of excess sebum oil on the surface of your skin without stripping it of its natural oils.

A gel-based product is more suitable for on-the-go treatments. They tend to liquefy on the surface of your skin.

However, the alcohol-based solvents usually used can be absorbed into your bloodstream and lead to cell degeneration. To counter this, La Roche-Posay created a water-based mixture that allows for simple application. It won’t affect your skin’s health negatively.

The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming (Medicated) Gel dissolves into your skin within moments and allows your skin to lock in moisture. It’s important to utilize a small amount of the gel, as it will form a light layer on your skin. But too much can dry your skin out during the day.

The added benefit of the layer that forms is that it helps keep germs and bacteria off the surface of your skin. However, it’s important to note that the gel should only be applied after your facial routine.

The gel works best in terms of treating acne with other products in the Effaclar line, as these are specifically designed for acne-prone skin. But I’ll discuss that in the following sections.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Line Review

Of this line, the cleansing products are some of the most popular.

They’re mild on sensitive skin. Yet they’re effective enough to remove dead skin cells, oxidized sebum oil, and other impurities from the surface of your skin.

Unlike most conventional treatments, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar line is enriched with zinc pidolate. This is basically zinc in a salt form that makes for easier absorption on the surface of your skin. It helps hydrate your skin from within.

The line is free of alcohols, solvents, soaps and parabens. This means that you can use them on a regular basis without worrying about contaminating your bloodstream. It’s actually considered one of the safest acne treatment systems. It’s well worth trying if you have oily skin.

Along with the cleansers, the line also contains toners and specialized skin treatments for more immediate effect.

Salicylic and glycolic acid form the base of the alcohol solvent and ‘fragrance-free’ toners. Salicylic acid is a specially formulated anti-inflammatory that helps remove toxins and free radicals from the surface of your skin.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment

The La Roche-Posay effaclar duo dual acne treatment.

In total, the entire Effaclar Line (including cleansers, toners and treatments) consists of 11 products.

However, the aim of this review is to select the few that really set this brand apart and make your search easier. So I’ll focus on the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment.

I feel it’s important to mention that this product is highly concentrated and contains a wider variety of ingredients – some of which are chemical-based. However, this is an entirely optional addition to the system and should only be considered in the case of more moderate forms of acne.

The Duo treatment is a light, peroxide-based treatment and is meant to be used in very small and regulated doses. The peroxide helps kill off germs and bacteria that worsen inflammation on the surface of the skin and lead to acne.

The serum also helps form a protective barrier over the course of the day. This ultimately means that your skin will be able to prevent the buildup of germs. It will consequently form a lasting layer of protection with continued use.

Is La Roche Posay Cruelty-Free?

If you’re like me, when you’re looking for a new brand to add to your skin care routine you’re also taking note of the way the product is made. And no, I don’t just mean which products are used. I’m talking about the testing and production process as well.

Well, sadly for us, La Roche-Posay is not cruelty-free. They make great products, but it is important to note that it doesn’t come without a price.

Yet I also must give credit where it’s due. La Roche-Posay does not make a habit of testing on animals unnecessarily. They’ve even created a way to test their products without using animals. It actually involves using reconstructed skin for testing, which is pretty cool!

Essentially, the company tests on animals only in countries which require animal testing by law. So do with that information what you will, and decide for yourself if you want to give their products a try.

Conclusion

La Roche-Posay is a brand full of history and tradition. However, they’ve always been ahead of the curve in terms of innovation. They create products that are both healthy and beneficial for your skin yet effective enough to live up to your expectations.

Any brand that’s managed to keep themselves on the front line of their industry for more than 40 years is definitely one that you can trust. Their products include only the best natural ingredients. And they’ve been formulated to be mild on your skin yet retain their efficiency.

The brand structures itself around being efficient, safe and simple. And you can see this in each of their products. The ingredients lists are short and readable, the products are easy to use, and the results are lasting.

If you’re looking for a brand to use long-term, or if you’re thinking of finding a healthier brand in general, I’d highly recommend putting La Roche-Posay at the top of your list.