La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5 Versus Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant
Updated on March 11, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5 19 ingredients
Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant 17 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5 19 ingredients
Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningC30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polybutene
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Manganese Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Copper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Polybutene, Sodium Citrate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Zinc Gluconate, Madecassoside, Dimethiconol, Manganese Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Tocopherol
Glycerin 20%
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenyl Triacetate
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Naringenin
Skin ConditioningC15-23 Alkane
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Alkane
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin 20%, Water, Dimethicone, Panthenol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Panthenyl Triacetate, Niacinamide, Naringenin, C15-23 Alkane, 1,2-Hexanediol, C13-14 Alkane, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5 19 ingredients
Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5 19 ingredients
TL;DR: Absolute gold star holy grail! 🏆 Forget the baume, this is where it's at for sensitive, acne-prone skin.
I picked this up in desperation after trying the original baume formulation of this, which really did nothing for me and I'm quite sure was contributing to acne. But this gel is amazing! I use it morning and night over my moisturizer, and my skin always feels soothed after a couple Show more
After searching high and low for yeeeeaars to find a moisturiser that didn't break my acne-prone oily skin out, I finally found one that works for me. Not only has this helped calm my inflamed acne, it leaves my skin feeling really hydrated. I wrecked my skin barrier by overusing Differin and this was the only thing that helped repair my skin barrier and didn't break me out. I used the Cicaplast Show more
Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant 17 ingredients
I don’t usually do well with silicones but this product doesn’t seem to bother me. I have no idea why. I use a very strong retinoid (tazortene) every night and needed something to help repair my barrier. There are not a lot of products available to help with barrier repair that are FA safe. I’ve tried a lot and after using this for months now, I think I’ve settled on this one. This definitely Show more
Originally bought as a multi use hydration serum for my eyes and lips, but it definitely tastes and smells weird if you put it near your lips!
