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La Roche-Posay organises its products into named ranges rather than by skin type, which is helpful once you know what each name means and confusing until then. Every range is built around thermal spring water from the town of La Roche-Posay and formulated with sensitive skin in mind, so the question is less about tolerance and more about which concern you are treating.
Effaclar: Blemish-Prone And Oily Skin
Effaclar is the acne and blemish range, and it is the largest of the lot. The starting point for most people is a cleanser and a treatment.
Effaclar Duo +M is the core anti-blemish moisturiser, designed to correct and hydrate at the same time. If you want coverage while you treat, Effaclar Duo Unifiant adds a light tint and comes in a deeper shade too.
For cleansing, Effaclar Micro-Peeling Gel micro-exfoliates and can be used on the body as well as the face. If your skin has become dry and fragile from over-treating, switch to the gentler Effaclar H ISO-Biome Cleansing Cream instead.
Adult blemish-prone skin often does better on Effaclar A.Z. Gel Cream, which is lighter than the teenage-focused options. For individual spots, the Effaclar spot patches are a useful overnight fix.
Toleriane: Sensitive, Reactive And Redness-Prone Skin
Toleriane is the minimalist range, built on short ingredient lists for skin that reacts to most things. Toleriane Dermallergo Serum is concentrated in Neurosensine and aimed at immediate relief of discomfort and tightness.
If redness is the main issue, Toleriane Rosaliac AR SPF30 combines a soothing moisturiser with sun protection, which matters because UV is one of the most common redness triggers. There is also a dedicated Dermallergo eye cream for reactive eyelids.
Hyalu B5: Hydration And Early Lines
Hyalu B5 is the hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 range, and it is the one to reach for if your concern is dehydration, loss of plumpness or fine lines rather than blemishes or redness.
Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum uses four forms of hyaluronic acid, with the matching Suractivated Cream to seal it in. For lighter texture in warmer weather, the Hyalu B5 Water Gel is a cooling alternative, and there is a Hyalu B5 eye serum for the eye contour.
If you are not sure whether you are dealing with dryness or dehydration, our guide on dry versus dehydrated skin is the place to start.
Cicaplast: Barrier Repair And Recovery
Cicaplast is the repair range, and it is arguably the most useful thing La Roche-Posay makes. Cicaplast Baume B5 Repairing Balm is designed to accelerate the skin's natural recovery process while respecting its microbiome.
It is not an everyday moisturiser so much as a problem-solver: use it after too much sun, after a course of strong actives, or on any area that has become raw and irritated. There is a baby version suitable for the whole family, plus a hand cream and a lip balm in the same family.
For more on when to use a product like this, read our guide on how to fix a damaged skin barrier.
Lipikar: Very Dry Skin And Body Care
Lipikar is the body range, aimed at very dry, tight-feeling skin and conditions such as eczema. Lipikar Lait Body Milk is the everyday lipid-replenishing option, and Lipikar Cleansing Oil replaces shower gel for anyone whose skin is aggravated by conventional washes.
Anthelios: Sun Protection
Anthelios is the sun care range and the one product family everybody needs regardless of skin type. Anthelios UVAir SPF50+ is the lightweight daily facial option, and Anthelios UVMune400 Tinted Fluid SPF50+ adds light coverage.
For oily and blemish-prone skin, Anthelios Oil Correct pairs high protection with a mattifying finish. For sport or long days outdoors, the UVSport Invisible Mist SPF50+ and the UVSport stick are built to withstand sweat. Children are covered by the Dermo-Paediatrics invisible spray.
If you are unsure which type of filter suits you, our guide comparing chemical and mineral sunscreen is worth a read.
Can You Combine La Roche-Posay Ranges?
Yes, and most sensible routines do. A very common and effective combination is an Effaclar cleanser, a Hyalu B5 serum for hydration, Cicaplast kept aside for flare-ups, and an Anthelios SPF every morning.
The one thing to avoid is running two active blemish treatments at once, which is the fastest route to a damaged barrier and more redness than you started with.
Where Should You Start?
Pick the range that matches your most disruptive concern and give it eight weeks before adding anything else. La Roche-Posay formulations are designed to be tolerated well, but no routine works if you change it every fortnight.