The Best La Roche-Posay Moisturising Products
La Roche-Posay is a premium French skincare brand that is known and loved all over the world for its highly effective and scientifically proven formulations. They have a huge variety of brilliant product ranges available, but which ones are best for moisturising the skin to keep it hydrated and healthy?
In this article, we'll showcase La Roche-Posay's best moisturising products to help you build the perfect skincare regimen. Click on one of the links below to jump to that section:
How to choose the right moisturising product for you
Not all moisturising products are created equal. It's important to choose products designed for your skin type that are formulated to tackle the specific skin issues you'd like to address.
People with very dry skin tend to benefit from cream moisturisers which have a thick texture and high oil content. These create a barrier over the surface of the skin to lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated and soft.
For those with oily and blemish-prone skin, creams are too heavy. Face lotions are a better choice because they contain a higher water content and therefore soak quickly into the skin without leaving an oily or greasy sensation. They're less likely to block pores and lead to pimples. Look for non-comedogenic moisturising lotions if you're battling blackheads and pimples.
For people with exceptionally dry skin or a skin condition such as eczema, ointments are a great option. These are incredibly heavy moisturisers that soothe, hydrate and provide a protective coating on the skin to protect against irritation and help damaged areas heal.
Serums are not exactly moisturisers, but they can have moisturising benefits. They're typically used after cleansing and before moisturising to deliver a potent dose of highly concentrated ingredients to the skin. They're usually lightweight in texture and absorb very quickly into the skin. Hyaluronic acid serums are ideal for those with dry skin because they help to deeply hydrate and plump the skin.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar range
The Effaclar range is designed for blemish-prone and oily skin. The moisturisers in this range offer light hydration without clogging the pores or making the skin feel greasy. Plus, they include blemish-beating ingredients such as niacinamide to control pimples, zinc to control sebum production and salicylic acid to unclog pores.
Effaclar Duo+ is one of La Roche-Posay's most popular moisturisers. It works to both control pimples and blackheads, and reduce the appearance of lasting marks and pigmentation caused by acne. Blemishes appear less inflamed within just 12 hours, and the size and appearance of spots are reduced by 52% after four weeks of use. Duo+ is also available with SPF30 if you're looking for a daytime moisturiser that provides UVA and UVB protection.
Effaclar Duo Unifant is a tinted moisturiser that offers a subtle amount of skin coverage while providing hydration and treatment for blemishes. It's a brilliant product for those who want to conceal the appearance of pimples without using heavy makeup products that could contribute to clogged pores and pimples. Unifant is available in light and medium shades.
For those with oily skin who are particularly susceptible to blackheads, Effaclar K(+) is a good solution because it works to exfoliate and unclog pores to prevent blackheads and improve skin texture. Effaclar MAT is designed for those with oily skin which is very shiny because it instantly mattifies shine while gradually working to control sebum production.
Finally, Effaclar H is designed for those with very sensitive skin which is also blemish-prone because it helps to rebuild the skin's protective layer while preventing pimples. It is particularly useful for those who are undergoing harsh acne treatments which have left the skin weak, fragile and damaged.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane range
The Toleriane range is designed for very sensitive, intolerant or irritated skin. These products are formulated with minimal ingredients, are free from fragrance, alcohol, parabens and preservatives to minimise the risk of irritation, and are tested on allergic skin to ensure safety.
Toleriane Ultra products are designed to provide intense hydration and an immediate relief from irritation. They contain neurosensine to soothe redness and La Roche-Posay’s signature Thermal Spring Water to nourish the skin. The original Toleriane Ultra Cream is a hydrating moisturiser suitable for daytime use, while Ultra Overnight Care is enriched with carnosine and Vitamin E to relieve irritation and soreness as you sleep. Toleriane Ultra 8 is a moisturising spray that is ideal for applying throughout the day as and when dryness or irritation occurs, and it is even suitable for use over makeup.
Toleriane Sensitive products are designed to protect very reactive skin. They contain prebiotics to rebalance the skin's natural microbiome, repair the skin barrier and protect against irritants. There are three Toleriane Sensitive moisturisers available: Fluid which has a very lightweight formula; Cream which has a heavier consistency; and Rich , which is ultra-hydrating for very dry skin.
La Roche-Posay Hydraphase range
Hydraphase products are designed to provide intense hydration for people with very dry skin. These products contain hyaluronic acid, which works to help the skin to retain water and ensure hydration lasts 24 hours. Hydraphase is suitable for anyone suffering from dryness but may be particularly useful for those with ageing skin.
If you're looking for a cream-like moisturiser, choose Hydraphase Intense Rich , which has a luxuriously thick consistency and leaves skin feeling soft and supple. If you prefer a lighter moisturiser, opt for Hydraphase Intense Light , which doesn't leave any stickiness and can be used as a base for makeup. If you want a deeply hydrating moisturiser that also offers sun protection, you can choose from Hydraphase UV Intense Rich and Hydraphase UV Intense Light .
Frequently asked questions
Can a body moisturiser be used as a moisturiser for the face?
Body moisturisers tend to be much thicker than face moisturisers and are often too greasy and heavy to use on the face. They might lead to blocked pores, blackheads and pimples if used on the face regularly.
What is the difference between a face lotion and a face cream?
Lotions contain more water than creams and therefore have a lighter consistency that soaks easily into the skin. Creams tend to have thicker, heavier textures that can feel greasy but help to protect the skin barrier. A face lotion would be better for someone with naturally oily skin, while a face cream would suit someone with dry skin.
Does moisturising help slow the visible signs of ageing?
Moisturising helps to keep skin hydrated, soft and supple and can therefore help to slow down the progression of wrinkles as we age.