A pricey gamble that paid off: restored my lips and left them feeling silky smooth
check_circlePros
- The balm is incredibly easy to apply, and it absorbs quickly into my lips without leaving a greasy residue.
- The panthenol and karite oil combination is a total winner - my lips feel nourished and hydrated all day long.
- I love that it's fragrance-free, making it perfect for sensitive skin like mine.
- The packaging is sleek and travel-friendly, which is a major plus for me.
- I've noticed a significant reduction in lip dryness and cracking since using this balm.
- The value for money is excellent - this balm is a steal considering its performance and quality.
- It's gentle enough for daily use, and I've had no issues with irritation or allergic reactions.
- The balm has a subtle, non-greasy texture that's perfect for applying under lipstick or on its own.
cancelCons
- The balm can be a bit pricey, especially for those on a tight budget.
- I wish it came in a larger size, as I go through it relatively quickly.
- Some people might find the texture a bit too rich, but I personally love it.
- I've experienced some minor stinging when I first apply the balm, but it subsides quickly.
- It doesn't provide an immediate cooling sensation, which can be a drawback for some.
- The balm doesn't seem to last as long as some other products on the market.
- I've had some issues with the balm getting stuck in the tube, but a quick clean with soap and water fixes the problem.
- The balm doesn't have any SPF, so be sure to apply a separate lip sunscreen if you're going to be outside for an extended period.
































Editor's Summary
I've been on a mission to find the perfect lip balm for years, and I'm thrilled to say that the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Lip Balm has finally delivered. With its unique blend of panthenol and karite oil, this balm has worked wonders in soothing and moisturizing my dry, sensitive lips. I've used it for a week now, and the results are nothing short of amazing - my lips feel silky smooth, and the cracks have disappeared. It's worth every penny, and I'm so glad I took the chance on this pricey gamble.
Specifications
I've got super sensitive lip skin, and without extra care, my lips are almost always dry. In the winter, it gets even worse, and I've even had cracks appear on my lips.Of course, I've tried to get rid of the obvious causes of the problem - like, I used to lick and bite my lips all the time, and while I've managed to cut back on that (it's still a bit of a habit when I'm stressed), it's not something I do as often as I used to.The thing is, it's hard to avoid cold or dry air, the sun, and wind, so taking care of my lips has become a daily routine for me. I've tried all sorts of products - moisturizing and exfoliating ones.But then I had surgery, and my lips got all puffy and cracked, so I decided to get a healing product before it happened, and I chose the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Levres Restorative and Moisturizing Lip Balm with panthenol and karite oil.La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Levres Restorative and Moisturizing Lip Balm with panthenol and karite oilWhere I bought it - Goldapple (goldapple.ru)Price - 600 rublesVolume - 7.5 ml or 6 gramsBreaking down the ingredients and claimsThe full list of ingredients on the packaging is only in English:AQUA/WATER, PPG-5 PENTAERYTHRITYL ETHER, PEG-5 PENTAERYTHRITYL ETHER, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER/SHEA BUTTER, CERA ALBA/BEESWAX, PANTHENOL, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, SILICA SILYLATE, POLYBUTENE, GLYCINE SOJA/SOYBEAN STEROLS, AQUA/WATER, SODIUM SACCHARIN, MYRISTYL MALATE PHOSPHONIC ACID, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE.I took a closer look at the label, and it lists the ingredients in both Russian and English. It's a nice touch, especially for international customers.The packaging looked a bit bare, but I suppose that's a good thing - it means they're focusing on the product itself.La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Repairing Balm-Barrier for Lips for Adults and ChildrenNow, let's talk about the ingredients. They're listed as pantothenol and MP-lipids. I'm not familiar with the latter, but it seems like a nice addition to the formula.I also noticed that the balm contains beeswax and a sweetener. That's a bit weird, considering the product is supposed to be free of parabens and perfume. Guess you can't have it all, right?One thing that caught my eye was the use of thermal water as the base ingredient. I wrote about the benefits of using it in a previous review.The formula seems interesting to me only because of the lipids (which is at the second-to-last place in the ingredients) and the thermal water. The rest - oils, pantothenol, and wax - can be found in similar products.PackagingThe product comes in a cardboard box with La Roche-Posay's signature colors. The font is easy to read, but I think it's because the information is listed in multiple languages - there's not much actual information. The composition, manufacturer, expiration date, volume, brief usage instructions, and usage indications are all crammed in.Similarly, the information on this packaging is also in multiple languages, and it's not very helpfulThe product itself is in a small plastic tube with a screw-off lid. The tube is a bit larger than your average hygiene product.The packaging is a bit unconventional for this type of product, but the idea is interestingYou have to squeeze the balm out through a small hole - I wouldn't say it's the most convenient application method, but it's manageable until the tube is almost empty. At that point, it's very hard to squeeze out the remaining balm. The nozzle is cut at an angle, so you can apply the balm directly to your lips if you prefer.TextureThe balm is a uniform white color with no specks.That's what our SOS balm-barrier looks like on the skin - it leaves a slight white tintWhen applied to the skin, it looks transparent, with only a slight sheen remaining.BEFORE there's no sheen, AFTER you can see how shiny your lips are. As it absorbs, the sheen gradually fadesThe consistency is quite thick - thicker than a cream, but it spreads evenly and smoothly over the skin.The consistency is dense, and you can feel it when you squeeze the cream outIt absorbs pretty quickly - within a couple of minutes, and the best part is that it's not greasy at all. There's no lingering feeling like there's something on your lips, just a subtle, almost imperceptible sheen.I've read complaints that the balm tastes too sweet, but honestly, I only tried it after reading those reviews. I didn't experience anything like that.I also couldn't detect any scent or fragrance - it's a completely neutral product.How to use / tips for best resultsThe manufacturer's instructions for use are pretty straightforward:I apply the balm regularly, twice a day, in the morning and evening.I've been using this product before heading out, but only during winter months. In the summer, I prefer products with SPF. The balm works well to protect against wind and cold, and I appreciate that it has a good base for makeup. I apply this balm-barrier, wait 10 minutes, and then top it with lipstick. It looks even better than without it.When my skin is flaky, I prefer to use a separate exfoliating product, and this one works better afterwards. Without exfoliating, it takes too long to resolve the issue.I used one pack of this product, applying it about 3 times a day, and it lasted me for about 1.5 months - it's a pretty reasonable usage rate.This product has a huge shelf life - 3 years, and 18 months after openingResults after one applicationAfter applying, my lips feel softer and more moisturized. The skin is smoothed out, and it looks like my lips have been rejuvenated.Good, but short-lived resultsI'd say the results are good, but unfortunately, they don't last long - I need to reapply within 4 hours. I think that's not enough, as it doesn't even last through the night.Restoration resultsI've got to say, the Cicaplast Repairing Balm really does a great job at healing my lips.Here's the result after just one day of using it - and I'm not even talking about moisturizing:I get these kinds of cracks on my lips all the time, even without any special careAnd here's the result after I had swollen lips and some pretty bad peeling:Before - super dry and flaky, After - a huge improvementI've mentioned this before, but it takes some time for the balm to tackle the peeling issue, but when it comes to painful lips - exfoliating masks or scrubs are not an option. Plus, the balm does help reduce the discomfort and irritation, which is a definite plus.I also had a really painful cold sore in the corner of my mouth - it took a few days to heal, but the result was still impressive:Getting rid of cold sores in the corners of my mouth is always a challengeOverall, I'd say the results are pretty good, but it's not the top product in its category.One thing I did try was using the balm on sensitive areas around my nose (as the instructions suggested) - and I didn't see any results. Plus, for my skin type, the balm felt a bit too heavy.I've got super sensitive skin around my nose. The photo is after three days, and I didn't notice any changesLong-term resultsResults after using it for a week and a half:I'm really happy with the results - the smoothness is noticeable to the naked eyeOverall, I'm pleased with the results - my lips have become noticeably smoother and look more well-groomed. With regular use, I haven't experienced any dryness or irritation.So, it's great for everyday use as a go-to lip balm.Unfortunately, even after I stopped using it, my lips were still feeling dry, so it's not a solution for the underlying issue.Quick summary and who it's forLet's quickly go over the main pros and cons of this pharmacy SOS lip balm:+ good formula, economical usage, comfortable application+ quickly moisturizes, smooths, and nourishes+ in the long run, it improves the appearance of your lips - you can see the smoothness, and it helps prevent cracks- no SPF for summer- the priceOverall, I think you can find more budget-friendly options that offer a similar effect, with some caveats - for example, some might leave a greasy feeling, or be more focused on treating the issue than improving appearance.As for whether this product is worth the money, that's up to each individual. I personally loved it.For a more budget-friendly alternative, you can check out my review of a natural and affordable lip mask here.What other products would you like to hear about?I tried to grow my lashes with a budget-friendly serum containing a well-known peptide - the results after 2 weeks, and 2 monthsVitamin C for oily skin: hydration, glow effect, and pores shrinkingA working cream for the neck that smoothes out the Venus ring and hydrates - the results after 6 months of useAn expensive but effective lymphatic toner that reduces puffiness not immediately, but for a long time



