Can I use La Roche Posay Lipikar AP+M on my face?

What will it do for facial skin?

Lipikar AP+M contains glycerin, shea butter, niacinamide and a ceramide, and helps reduce dry, rough skin. Moisturisers work by trapping moisture under a protective layer on the skin's surface. That makes dryness and moisture loss the reason to use this cream, rather than treating it as an acne treatment.23

Creams generally sit between lotions and ointments: lotions contain less oil and retain moisture less effectively, while ointments contain more oil and feel greasier. Choose the texture that feels comfortable and keeps the area moisturised.4

How should I apply it?

Use this general moisturiser routine once you have tested the cream.

1. 1Wash your hands before applying the cream. If your container is a tub, remove cream with a clean spoon rather than your fingers.
2. 2After washing your face, gently pat the skin dry and apply the cream straight away.
3. 3Smooth the cream gently in the direction of hair growth rather than rubbing it vigorously into the skin.
4. 4Leave a thin layer to soak in for about 10 minutes. A leave on moisturiser does not need rinsing off.

You can use an emollient in the morning or evening, and reapply whenever your skin feels dry or tight. Very dry skin can need application 2 to 4 times daily. The practical aim is to keep the skin moisturised, rather than waiting for dryness to become uncomfortable.134

How do I test it before using it on my face?

Apply your usual amount to a small spot on the underside of your arm or inside your elbow twice daily for seven to 10 days. Choose somewhere the cream will not be washed or rubbed away, and leave it on. If no redness, itching or swelling develops, you can start using it. Sensitive skin can react to individual ingredients even in a moisturiser intended for sensitive skin.25

When should I stop using it?

If the cream causes redness, itching or swelling, gently wash it off and stop using it. A cool compress or petroleum jelly can help relieve a reaction. See a dermatologist if the reaction is severe and those measures do not help. Speak to a pharmacist or clinician about persistent burning, stinging, inflamed hair follicles or a facial rash that worsens acne.15

Can I use it with a prescribed skin treatment?

Keep about 30 minutes between the moisturiser and a prescribed steroid cream, and ask your doctor which to apply first. Separating them avoids diluting the medicine or spreading it onto skin that does not need treatment. If you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, get medical advice before using Lipikar AP+M and do not apply it to broken skin.123