Zahra’s French Pharmacy Balm Is Perfect For SOS Situations
Ask any magazine beauty editor and she’ll tell you that no trip to Paris is complete without making at least one trip to a local pharmacy to check out — and then buy truckloads of — their range of skincare products. French pharmacy brands are renowned for their beauty products and don’t cost a pretty penny like their luxury counterparts. What’s more, they actually do the job better than most when it comes to basic skin problems, which is why demand for them is always high. But it’s also hard finding these products unless you’re making a trip to Europe.
Which is why I was so thrilled when La Roche-Posey finally launched this cult balm in India recently. Rumours abound that one of these little babies sells every 15 seconds in Europe, and I can totally understand why. What am I talking about? La Roche-Posey’s Cicaplast Baume B5, of course!
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 (Rs 500)
This multipurpose balm is touted as the perfect salve to soothe and moisturise irritated skin, as well as protect and repair any kind of minor cuts and bruises. You can use it on your face, your lips, your body, as well as your feet — and it does all of these things really well. Trust me, I should know. I had redness on my face and dry lips, and just 24 hours of using this product and there’s a visible reduction in sensitivity and dryness. Just to be sure I even used them on my flaky feet overnight and the next morning I woke up with super soft, hydrated feet. It also really does speed up the healing of small cuts, and keeps breakouts in check. I told you this was multi-purpose, didn’t I?!
Boasting a combination of vitamin B5, shea butter, and minerals, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume works great on both dry as well as combination skin (like mine). I usually don’t use rich, heavy creams like this because of how greasy they leave my face, but despite its rich texture Cicaplast isn’t thick or waxy and leaves none of the tacky sensation on my skin. It’s more lotion-like and is paraben- and lanolin-free. Also considering how I burn rather easily, I like to use this as a great after-beach balm to soothe my sunburnt skin.
However, one of the more interesting uses I’ve discovered for this balm is as a primer. You heard that right…a primer! I layer it over my normal Kiehl’s moisturiser by applying a very thin veil and then put on my foundation and concealer. I’ve found that it works great as a barrier to keep my makeup in place longer, especially during summer. Even though it is quite thick, it absorbs really well and doesn’t sit on top of my skin like an oily film. Considering ALL its various — and rather effective — uses, this is one product I now keep handy both by my bedside as well as in my handbag!
