We Tested La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 to See If It's Worth the TikTok Hype

Tiktok has become a go-to platform for skincare product recommendations and viral beauty hacks. If you’ve scrolled through the app lately, you might be familiar with one of the latest cult favorites by La Roche-Posay: The Cicaplast Balm B5. Beauty enthusiasts swear by this all-in-one balm that claims to soothe and repairs dry skin, calm inflamed acne bumps, and even heal wounds. But is it actually worth the hype? 

As a dermatology resident physician, one of my goals is to provide my patients with simple but effective solutions for their skin concerns. I love a minimalist approach to skincare and tend to use and recommend multi-purpose, affordable skincare products. When I learned about the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Balm, I felt like I had struck gold. 

The Cicaplast Balm B5 is a thick cream designed to hydrate and protect the skin. It’s formulated with vitamin B5, a soothing ingredient that helps reduce skin inflammation but also helps strengthen and protect the skin barrier. Shea butter, glycerin, and centella asiatica help nourish the skin and reduce irritation caused by dehydration. This product is ideal for dry, inflamed, and damaged skin, making it an effective solution for many skin conditions and types. 

The La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 has become one of my favorite all-in-one skincare products that I can always rely on to restore my skin. Read my honest thoughts on the buzzy product, ahead.

About My Skin: Sensitive and combination 

I have sensitive and combination skin on my face. Because of this, I usually prefer to use lightweight serums and lotions. I typically reach for fragrance-free products specifically designed for sensitive skin, so my go-to brands are CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, and Aveeno. I also prefer a simplistic skincare routine with versatile products, so the fact that the Balm B5 could serve many different purposes was a huge draw for me. Having combination skin means I have to adjust my skincare routine regularly. Some days I might be oily; some days, I might be dry, and vice versa.

About The Product: Multipurpose and healing

Since this product is steroid-free and fragrance-free, you can safely use it to heal irritation on the face and sensitive areas of the body. I find this balm helpful for healing eyelid dermatitis, bikini line razor bumps, and inner thigh chafing. I also love applying a thin layer of this product to calm skin after cosmetic procedures, such as laser treatments, microneedling, or chemical peels.

How to Use It: Perfect for treating dry patches or for slugging

One of my favorite ways to use the Cicaplast Balm B5 is for slugging. With this balm, you can get the hydrating benefits of petroleum jelly without the heaviness and greasiness that come along with it. When my skin feels very dry, I use a thin layer of this as a 10-minute leave-on mask or as an overnight treatment, and a pea-sized amount is enough to cover my entire face and lips. The formula is non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging), so it’s safe for acne-prone skin. This product is also semi-occlusive, allowing the skin to ‘breathe’ while protecting it from water loss.

I also love to target my hands with this product. As a physician, I constantly wash my hands and use alcohol-based sanitizers, leaving my skin dehydrated. Even though this product is thick, it has a non-greasy formulation and leaves no residue on my hands. I routinely apply a thin layer to my cuticles and nails to protect them throughout the day. I’ve also used this to soften other rough areas on the rest of my body, like my elbows, knees, and feet.

The Feel: Nourishing and non-greasy

The Cicaplast B5 Balm is very rich. After warming up the product between my fingers, it was easy to spread. I was surprised that even though it initially felt like a thick balm, it didn’t feel greasy or leave a sticky residue. There was a white cast at first, but this disappeared as I continued to massage the product into my skin. My skin felt instantly nourished and hydrated. 

Since it is a thicker balm, I first warm it up between my fingers for a few seconds. Once I do this, it easily glides across my skin. If I’m using the balm at night, I don’t spend as much time massaging it into my skin, so it might leave behind a cast. 

The Results: Hydrated, calmer skin 

After massaging the balm into dry areas of my face, my skin felt instantly nourished and hydrated. It leaves a slightly dewy finish that I like in certain areas, like my brow bones, cheekbones, and temples. I applied a light layer of powder foundation on top of the balm in places where I prefer a more matte look. This product layered well without any pilling or caking. After I worked this product into my rough hands, my skin felt softer.  

Without a doubt, the B5 balm soothed my sensitive skin. Applying it to dry, irritated areas of my face has allowed my skin to remain calm throughout the colder months and tolerate my prescription retinoid. After consistently using this balm on my hands and cuticles, these areas look healthier and more hydrated. 

The Value: Worth it for targeted care

The Cicaplast B5 Balm retails for $15-20 for a 1.35 oz tube, which may seem like a lot compared to other drugstore balms. However, using this balm to treat targeted irritated or dry areas is definitely worth it. Since I use a few pea-size drops of the formula daily, a tube lasts me about one month. I’ve also spent less on additional products to heal my skin, which is another reason why this multi-purpose balm is even more worth the investment. 

Similar Products: You have options

Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Itch Relief Balm ($14): Like the Cicaplast B5, this non-greasy balm is a nourishing treatment to soothe and relieve dry, sensitive skin. At $18 for four ounces, this moisturizer is a third of the price and can provide similar hydrating benefits as the Cicapalst B5 Balm. 

Naturium Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm ($25): This balm is formulated with marshmallow root, centella asiatica, and colloidal oatmeal to lock in moisture and support the skin barrier. It’s fragrance-free, so it’s safe for sensitive skin types. Unlike the Cicapalst B5 Balm, this product isn’t recommended for acne-prone skin. This product is $25 for a 1.7-ounce jar.

Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream ($49): Formulated with centella asiatica and niacinamide, this cream $works to calm inflamed and irritated skin. Compared to the Cicaplast Balm B5 4which is thicker, the cica cream has a soft, medium-weight texture and is easier to blend into the skin. However, this product is more expensive than the Balm B5, at $49 for a 1.7-ounce tube.

Glossier After Baume Moisture Barrier Recovery Cream ($28): This plant-based moisture barrier recovery cream is designed for very dry skin. This product is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, so it’s safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin types. Like the Cicaplast Balm B5, this product is a thicker, occlusive moisturizer that is ideal for dry areas. It’s more expensive, priced at $28 for 1.6-ounces.