Next up in the Swap It Out series…La Roche-Posay! This is a brand that my readers frequently ask me about. So let’s take a look at the ingredients, why you might want to swap out their products in your routine, and safer, low tox dupes to use instead!
This post contains affiliate links.
Is La Roche-Posay a Clean Brand? Let’s Break It Down!
La Roche-Posay was founded in 1975 in France and is now owned by L’Oréal. The brand is dermatologist-developed and aims to be at the forefront of dermatological skincare. They also claim to have a strict safety and formulation charter that exceeds international cosmetics regulations.
Many people assume that buzzwords like “dermatologist recommended” mean a product is automatically amazing for your skin. In fact, a 2020 study found that consumers rate dermatologists as the most trusted source for cosmetic products!
❌ Ingredients to Avoid in La Roche-Posay Products:
However, this doesn’t take into account toxicology and ingredient safety in relation to our overall health. Here are some ingredients found in La Roche-Posay products that I prefer to avoid:
- BHT
- Chemical sunscreens (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene)
- Chlorphenesin (allowed in limited quantities in the EU [below 0.3%], this preservative can also be an irritant and endocrine disruptor)
- Cyclic silicones (like cyclohexasiloxane)
- Disodium/tetrasodium EDTA
- Ethoxylates (-eth ingredients like decyltetradeceth-30 undergo an ethoxylation process, which can introduce harmful contaminants like 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen)
- Isoparaffin
- PEGs and PPGs
- Phenoxyethanol (a common preservative that prevents bacterial growth, but it can cause skin irritation and may contain carcinogenic by-products like ethylene oxide and benzene)
- Polyquaternium-11
- Polysorbates (can be contaminated with carcinogens and are potential irritants, especially for sensitive skin)
- Propylene glycol
- Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
- Synthetic fragrances
- Talc
- Triethanolamine (TEA, a compound with ammonia-like odor which can increase asthma risk. When broken down, it forms nitrosamines which are linked to cancer)
These ingredients can be potentially harmful to the body due to effects like hormone disruption, skin irritation, allergic reactions, or accumulation in tissues, with some linked to more serious concerns like cancer or environmental toxicity.
Wanna learn more about harmful ingredients in your personal care products and the WHY behind it all? Download the Ingredients to Avoid Index! It has over 60+ common ingredients to watch out for and a printable pocket guide (with studies and sources too!).
✅ Low Tox La Roche-Posay Products:
While I prefer to support smaller brands with better ingredient integrity across the board, here are two La Roche-Posay products that meet my ingredient standards.
- Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer: Not to be confused with the moisturizers that contain added chemical SPF!
- Thermal Spring Water Face Mist: This is literally just water 😆 so I don’t necessarily recommend spending money on it, but it’s clean!
Best Non-Toxic Dupes for La Roche-Posay Products
Now, here are some better alternatives to use instead. Most of them have comparable price points, and some are even cheaper!
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen for Face ➡️ Saie Slip Tint SPF35 Tinted Moisturizer
❌ What’s in La Roche-Posay: Butyloctyl salicylate, PEGs, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, styrene, talc
Saie’s Slip Tint is one of my all-time favorites! It’s a mineral sunscreen, light-coverage foundation, and moisturizer all in one. The coverage is sheer; I’d say it’s enough to cover redness and even out skin tone but not enough to conceal dark spots or blemishes. I just love how natural it looks and feels on my skin. It’s a little dewy, but not greasy. So good!
Also available here on Amazon and Sephora.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum ➡️ Cocokind Postbiotic Acne Serum
❌ What’s in La Roche-Posay: Fragrance, PEGs, polyquaternium-10, PPG-26-buteth-26
Cocokind’s serum is powered by 1.5% salicylic acid (the same amount as LRP!), which treats acne, blackheads, congestion, and clogged pores. It’s also half the price 👏
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount 🏷️
Also available here on Amazon and Target.
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum ➡️ Honest Hydrogel Deep Hydration Hyaluronic Acid Serum
❌ What’s in La Roche-Posay: Disodium EDTA, ethoxylates, parfum/fragrance, PEGs, phenoxyethanol, PPGs, propylene glycol
Hyaluronic acid serums are majorly hydrating and give skin a nice plump. Honest’s has three types of hyaluronic acid, plus natural moisturizing factors (NMF), to give your skin that bounce. Additionally, it contains rambutan, which is a retinol alternative, and kiwi seed oil for barrier support. It has a milky white color and is mostly unscented!
Also available here on Amazon and Target.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser ➡️ Mad Hippie Cream Cleanser
❌ What’s in La Roche-Posay: Chlorphenesin, disodium EDTA, polysorbate 60
If you have dry skin, using a creamy cleanser can be extremely beneficial because it cleanses without drying or stripping skin of too much moisture. Mad Hippie’s cream cleanser is non-GMO, cruelty-free, and vegan. The pH level is ideal for keeping skin’s protective oils intact. Bonus: it comes in a glass bottle instead of plastic!
Also available here at Ulta.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash ➡️ Honest Gentle Gel Cleanser
❌ What’s in La Roche-Posay: Acrylates copolymer, disodium EDTA, PEGs
Honest’s is a refreshing gel cleanser that lightly foams. It tackles grime while keeping skin calm with soothing chamomile and calendula!
Also available here on Amazon and Target.
La Roche-Posay Vitamin C12 Serum ➡️ Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
❌ What’s in La Roche-Posay: BHT, disodium EDTA, isoparaffin, laureth-7, parfum/fragrance, PEGs, poloxamer 338, propylene glycol, lots of silicones
Vitamin C is a brightening powerhouse for pigmentation and even skin tone! Mad Hippie’s serum costs $10 less and has pure ingredients, plus it’s formulated with Vitamin E and ferulic acid for extra antioxidant protection. It has a lightweight, silky texture that absorbs quickly.
Also available here at Ulta.
More from the Swap It Out series:
Swap It Out: Natural Alternatives to Cetaphil & CeraVe Skincare Products
Swap It Out: Clean Alternatives to The Ordinary Skincare Products
I hope this post gives you a little nudge if you currently use La Roche-Posay products, as there are plenty of options available that are better and safer. As always, the information is meant to inform and educate you, not to shame you or make you feel bad about your choices. Let me know if you have any questions or comments and thanks for reading 💚
Hi
I live in New Zealand where we have high UV and a lot of skin cancer !
Can you recommend a safe sunscreen that has a high UV protection?
Consumer nz has just tested a lot of sunscreens that don’t meet the claimed SPF factor which is a worry!
Thank you
Denise
Simondenise78@gmail.com
Hey Denise, wish I could help, but I am not familiar with brands that are available in New Zealand!