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Verdict: Cicaplast Baume B5+ is one of the most useful “rescue” products you can keep in a bathroom. It’s a fragrance-free, lanolin-free balm with 5% panthenol (vitamin B5), madecassoside from centella asiatica, and shea butter. It calms and protects skin that’s dry, chapped or irritated: retinol-stung cheeks, a raw nose during a cold, cracked knuckles, dry patches. It’s thicker than a moisturizer but less greasy than ointment. It’s not a treatment for wrinkles, acne or eczema flares, and it can feel heavy on oily skin.
Free: the Winter Dry Skin Rescue Plan
A printable 14-day plan for dry, tight winter skin: shower rules, a face routine, and fixes for hands, lips and heels.
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The Real Problem
When skin is irritated, from too much retinol, harsh weather, over-exfoliating or a cold, most moisturizers either sting or aren’t protective enough, and ointments feel too greasy for daytime. That’s the gap Cicaplast fills: a soothing, protective balm you can wear on the face and body during the day.
Short Answer
Buy it for: retinol irritation, chapped and windburned skin, flaky patches, raw skin around the nose and mouth, dry hands and lips. Skip it if: you have oily, acne-prone skin and want a daily face moisturizer, or you need a treatment for a skin condition (see a dermatologist). Alternatives: Aquaphor for maximum protection, CeraVe Healing Ointment for a lanolin-free ointment.
The Winter Dry Skin Rescue Plan
Winter shower rules, a face routine for very dry skin, mini-routines for hands, lips and heels, an ingredient cheat sheet and a 14-day rescue checklist.
Send me the free plan →What’s in It
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Panthenol (vitamin B5), 5% | Soothing humectant that supports skin repair |
| Madecassoside (from centella asiatica) | Soothing plant compound |
| Shea butter, glycerin | Moisturize and soften |
| Zinc and manganese | Part of the brand’s repair complex |
| Tribioma (B5+ version) | Prebiotic complex the brand says supports the skin microbiome (in vitro testing) |
It’s labeled fragrance-free, lanolin-free and suitable for sensitive skin, including babies from 3 months, according to the brand.
Best Uses
| Situation | How to use |
|---|---|
| Retinol irritation (red, flaky, stinging) | Pause retinol 2–3 nights; apply Cicaplast as your moisturizer |
| Corners of nose and mouth with retinol | A thin layer before retinol to protect those areas |
| Raw nose during a cold | Dab on several times a day |
| Windburn and chapped cheeks | Thin layer before going out, thicker at night |
| Cracked knuckles and cuticles | After washing and at bedtime |
| Dry lips | As a lip balm, especially overnight |
| Dry patches on the body | Spot-apply after showering |
New to retinol? Our retinol beginner routine shows how to avoid irritation in the first place. Retinoids aren’t recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
A fragrance-free repair balm that’s thicker than a moisturizer and less greasy than ointment.
Check on Amazon →Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fragrance-free and lanolin-free | Can leave a slight white sheen until it sinks in |
| Works on face, body, hands and lips | Heavy for oily or acne-prone faces |
| Less greasy than ointments | Small tube for the price |
| Great partner for retinol routines | Not a treatment for eczema, acne or wrinkles |
Free: the Winter Dry Skin Rescue Plan
A printable 14-day plan for dry, tight winter skin: shower rules, a face routine, and fixes for hands, lips and heels.
Free. You will also get a few short emails with tips and offers. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy.
Cicaplast vs Aquaphor vs CeraVe
| Product | Texture | Lanolin | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cicaplast Baume B5+ | Rich balm-cream | No | Daytime repair on face and body |
| Aquaphor Healing Ointment | Ointment | Yes | Maximum protection, cracked skin |
| CeraVe Healing Ointment | Ointment | No | Lanolin-free ointment with ceramides |
| Vaseline | Thick jelly | No | Simplest, strongest seal |
CeraVe Healing Ointment
When skin needs more protection than Cicaplast gives, especially overnight.
Check on Amazon →How to Use It
- Apply a small amount to clean skin, and warm it between your fingers first so it spreads easily.
- Press it into irritated or dry areas; you don’t need much.
- In the morning, follow with sunscreen once it has absorbed.
- At night, apply a thicker layer on very dry spots.
- For barrier repair, simplify your routine: gentle cleanser, Cicaplast, sunscreen. See our guide to repairing your skin barrier.
Want more options for a damaged barrier? See our roundup of the best skin barrier repair products.
Cicaplast Checklist
- Irritated, chapped or dry skin? Good fit
- Pause retinol and acids while healing
- Small amount, warmed, pressed in
- Sunscreen on top in the morning
- Thicker layer at night on dry spots
- Oily face? Spot-use only
- Persistent rash? See a dermatologist
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cicaplast Baume B5 used for?
Soothing and protecting dry, chapped or irritated skin on the face and body, including retinol irritation, windburn, raw noses, cracked knuckles and dry lips.
Can I use Cicaplast every day on my face?
Yes, if your skin is dry or irritated. If you’re oily or acne-prone, use it only on dry or irritated patches.
Is Cicaplast better than Aquaphor?
Different jobs. Cicaplast is lighter and nicer for daytime on the face. Aquaphor is an ointment that protects more strongly, especially overnight or on cracked skin.
Can I use Cicaplast with retinol?
Yes. Use it as a moisturizer on retinol nights or as a protective layer on the corners of the nose and mouth before retinol.
Does Cicaplast help acne scars?
It can help calm irritated skin, but it isn’t a scar treatment. For scars, see our guides on acne scars and Dermefface FX7.
Sources: La Roche-Posay product information via Chemist Warehouse product listing; American Academy of Dermatology, dermatologists’ tips to relieve dry skin. Formulas can vary by country; check the label.
The Everything Shower & Body Care Guide
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