What is La Roche Posay Cicaplast cream used for?

What does Cicaplast do for the skin barrier?

The skin barrier is the outermost layer of skin, which protects the body and limits water loss. When that barrier is damaged, skin loses more water and becomes more sensitive to irritants. Barrier creams help maintain this protective layer and stop skin drying out. Their ingredients commonly work in two ways: occlusives form a protective covering, while humectants help skin hold water. Dimethicone belongs to the first group and glycerin to the second.2

The US Balm B5 contains 1% dimethicone as its active skin protectant. Its other ingredients include glycerin, shea butter, panthenol and madecassoside.1

How do you apply Cicaplast?

For dry skin, use the balm as a moisturising treatment:

1. 1After washing, gently pat your skin dry. Apply your moisturiser promptly, while the skin still holds some moisture.
2. 2Smooth the cream gently over the dry area rather than rubbing vigorously. General moisturiser guidance is to follow the direction of hair growth.
3. 3Reapply when the skin feels dry or tight. Cicaplast Balm B5's US label says to apply as needed.

You can use a moisturising cream during the day or at night. General emollient care often involves applying a moisturiser at least three or four times daily, particularly to hands and face exposed to the weather. After a bath, shower or hand wash is a useful opportunity to replace moisture. These are general moisturising habits, not a separate Cicaplast dosing schedule.3

Can you use Cicaplast on your face?

For facial dryness, creams generally provide more moisture than lighter lotions or gels. If your face has both dry and oily areas, moisturise the dry patches rather than automatically covering the oily areas too. A cream can have a useful job on one dry patch without being given responsibility for the entire face. A lighter gel can be a better texture choice for oily skin.4

Some occlusive barrier creams can aggravate acne when used on the face. Barrier creams are generally well tolerated, but ingredients can also cause allergic contact dermatitis, an itchy inflammatory skin reaction. If a rich cream makes breakouts worse, choose a different moisturiser rather than continuing to cover the affected area.2

For dry, peeling skin, moisturising is more useful than exfoliating, which can strip away further moisture. Choose a fragrance free cleanser and avoid introducing fragranced products or exfoliating acids while addressing dryness. Keep sun protection in your daily routine: seek shade, wear protective clothing and use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.4

If you also use a steroid cream or another treatment for a skin condition, leave 20 to 30 minutes between that treatment and an emollient. Ask your doctor which to apply first. The gap helps avoid diluting the treatment or spreading it onto skin that does not need it.3

How do you use it for diaper rash?

For the US Balm B5, change wet or soiled diapers promptly, cleanse the diaper area and let it dry. Apply the cream liberally with each diaper change, especially at bedtime or before prolonged exposure to a wet diaper. The cream protects chafed skin and helps seal out wetness.1

What is La Roche Posay Cicaplast hand cream used for?

For hand use, Balm B5's relevant purpose is relieving chapped or cracked skin. If you mean a dedicated Cicaplast hand cream rather than Balm B5, follow that tube's directions. General hand creams smooth and hydrate dry skin, but their effects need topping up throughout the day. Water, soaps and cleaning products can remove protective skin oils, causing dryness and irritation. Good hand care helps repair the skin and reduce further damage, rather than curing hand irritation by itself.15

Continue washing your hands as needed; dry skin is not a reason to reduce necessary handwashing. Use lukewarm water, wash with soap for at least 20 seconds and dry with a clean towel, leaving your hands slightly damp. Apply hand cream immediately, including around the fingertips and nails. After using hand sanitiser, wait until it dries before applying hand cream. Keep a tube near the sink or at work so moisturising can follow washing rather than becoming a separate task to remember.6

Protect irritated hands from detergents and cleaning chemicals with suitable gloves. Use gloves for wet work, keep them clean and dry, and replace them if they become wet inside. Cotton liners help reduce sweating. Warm fabric gloves protect against cold air. Continue good hand care after irritation looks better, because the skin can remain vulnerable for several months.5

When should you stop using Cicaplast?

Stop using the US Balm B5 and ask a doctor if the condition worsens, lasts more than seven days, or clears and returns within a few days. Do not use it on deep or puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns. Keep it out of your eyes and use it externally only.1

Moisturisers can sting cracked, sore hands. Persistent burning, stinging, inflamed hair follicles or worsening facial rashes need advice from a pharmacist, nurse or doctor. If dryness continues despite regular handwashing care and moisturising, a dermatologist can check whether an underlying condition needs prescription treatment. Keep emollients and fabrics carrying their residue away from flames and cigarettes, because contaminated clothing and bedding can catch fire easily.356