Interview: Celebrating 50 years – The French Skincare La Roche Posay
text Yasmine Mubarak
images courtesy of La Roche Posay
The French pharmacy brand La Roche Posay are celebrating 50 years of skincare. To celebrate the achivment and to get a more of an insight in what they think of today’s beauty industry, we got an in-dept. talk with the very knowledgeable Camilla Jensen, Nordic Training Manager. To get advice on how our skin changes throughout the years, what we need and trix on how to make the most our skin!
Let’s talk more about skincare!
What is your favourite part about La Roche Posay?
That we have products that truly help patients with skin concerns so they can enjoy a better quality of life. Our philosophy, “A better life for sensitive skin”, is something very close to my heart as a pharmacist. With simple tips and product
recommendations, we can help people feel better.
How would you describe after working with the brand for over 11 years? Have you seen a development of the brand the last couple of years?
There’s constant development – both in product innovation with new ingredients and technologies, and in clinical studies where our products complement medical
treatments to improve adherence and reduce side effects. For example, we have
products that can help reduce side effects during cancer treatment. These are
labelled “Also suitable for patients undergoing cancer treatment”. La Roche-Posay is also a pioneer in research on the skin microbiome, where studies have shown a link between imbalances in the skin’s natural flora and conditions such as acne, atopic eczema, rosacea, and damaged skin. That’s why we use probiotic fractions in several product lines to strengthen the microbiome.
How do you think the brand has navigated the current popular boost of
skincare brands?
La Roche-Posay is a well-established brand that always goes back to its philosophy and core values – focusing on tolerance, using only the necessary ingredients in the right doses for effectiveness, and above all, improving patients’ and customers’ quality of life, since skin issues often affect everything from sleep to mental health.
Do you believe the brand has done any changes becoming more popular?
We collaborate with medfluencers and brand ambassadors, but what truly makes La Roche-Posay unique in the dermo cosmetics category is that our products are so actively recommended by dermatologists and healthcare professionals. That adds a different kind of trust and value for consumers.
Being in the beginning of our 30s, what skincare focus should we think about?
SUNSCREEN!! If you want to protect and prevent signs of aging, sun protection is a must. About 80% of visible aging comes from lifestyle factors, and UV light is a huge part of this since it breaks down collagen and elastin in the skin. Of course, you also need a good cleanser and a moisturizer suited to your skin. Many serums can boost hydration, reduce signs of aging, and give more radiance.
What is important to think about changing our skincare routine from the “easy 20s” to the more “direct” 30s? What products? What focus? What ingredients?
If you don’t have specific skin concerns, your 30s can be a good time to start (if you want) with anti-aging, focusing on dermactive ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol. La Roche-Posay offers several serums and creams specifically designed to target aging, including HyaluB5, Vitamin C10, and Retinol B3. Another common issue is pigmentation or dark spots – often caused by sun exposure, but also age and, in women, sometimes hormone treatments. Our MelaB3 serum with the patented ingredient Melasyl both prevents and reduces pigmentation. And of course: a good cleansing routine and always sunscreen.
What ingredients are important for different age groups?
Hyaluronic acid is popular across all ages because it’s truly a super-ingredient.
Depending on the molecule size, it can plump the skin, reduce wrinkles and fine
lines, and provide long-lasting hydration. Around 25, many start looking into anti-aging ingredients like retinol and peptides. Consumers 50+ often focus less on ingredients and more on visible results. We also see a growing trend among very young people wanting to use actives, which isn’t recommended since some ingredients can harm children’s sensitive skin.
Do you believe more people are finding the pharmacy’s brand? As we go back to basic?
Dermocosmetics is a constantly growing category and has gained huge attention on social media in recent years. La Roche-Posay has had several products that really stood out, like Effaclar Duo+M for oily, blemish-prone, acne-prone skin, and Cicaplast Baume B5+, a protective balm that strengthens the skin barrier.
Being a pharmacist, what do you believe is important to focus on when finding a new skincare routine, or when we are looking for new beauty products?
The most important thing is that customers know what they want to achieve with their skincare. Do they want to reduce redness? Do they have acne-prone skin? Dryness? Signs of aging? It’s less about focusing on ingredients and more about the results of the routine. La Roche-Posay has products that suit all different skin types, concerns, and consumer needs.
What are your own favourite products you believe a newbie of the brand
should try?
I have many favorites, but I use Cicaplast Baume B5+ for almost everything – from
dry cuticles and small wounds to sunburns and even as a face mask. Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ is something I apply every day as the last step in my skincare routine. I’m also completely in love with our newest launch, HyaluB5 Suractivated Serum, which hydrates the skin and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
The brand is celebrating 50 years this year, what are the main pillars the brand has been popular for so long?
Trust from consumers, having products suitable for everyone, pioneering research on the microbiome, strong recommendations from dermatologists, and the fact that all products are formulated for sensitive skin, which is a concern many people experience.
Do you know if the brand has a product that is still in the product line for the
most amount of time? What is the most popular?
La Roche-Posay’s Thermal Spring Water is one of the key ingredients in the products and was the base of the very first launches. With its selenium-rich content, it has antioxidant and soothing properties for the skin.
What is important for the brand to focus more on for the next 50?
Continue the research on skin, which will keep bringing us innovative ingredients and visible results. I believe we’ll see huge progress just within the next 5–10 years. And if I’m still working at L’Oréal in 50 years, who knows what kind of products we’ll have then.
