La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 SPF 50 Versus Prequel Skin Utility Balm Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Triethanolamine
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Manganese Gluconate
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentSilica
Abrasive
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningPerlite
Absorbent
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Poloxamer 338
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Homosalate, Panthenol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Alcohol Denat., Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Triethanolamine, Dimethicone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, PEG-8 Laurate, Sorbitan Oleate, Zinc Gluconate, Madecassoside, Manganese Gluconate, Isohexadecane, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Silica, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Perlite, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Poloxamer 338, Disodium EDTA, Copper Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, BHT, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol
Dimethicone 5.25%
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Undecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningIsosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Tridecane
Perfuming
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Phytate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Laureth-8
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Sulfate
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dimethicone 5.25%, Water, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Undecane, Glycerin, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Cetearyl Olivate, Tridecane, Sorbitan Olivate, Silica, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactic Acid, Oleic Acid, Laureth-8, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Sulfate, T-Butyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
