La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Moisturiser for dry sensitive skin
Thermal Water
Niacinamide
Squalane
Panthenol
Vitreoscilla FermentHigh
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Highly suitable for your dry and sensitive skin, this moisturizer effectively hydrates and soothes with glycerin and panthenol, which replenish moisture and calm irritation. Squalane further supports barrier function by providing emollient benefits, enhancing overall skin comfort.
- The inclusion of niacinamide offers additional benefits for skin barrier support and calming, complementing the primary hydrating ingredients.
- This formula is safe for your skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and is designed to minimize irritation potential.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using this moisturizer 3 times a week and move to daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toner in the morning, or after your serum in the evening. Always pair it with SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing it harshly to protect your sensitive skin.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help with hydration absorption. This also works well for dry and flaky skin types.
- Do a patch test before your first use. Avoid the eye area to prevent any irritation.
People Say
★4.1Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsThis moisturizer is frequently described as a lifesaver for oily, acne-prone skin, especially when weakened by treatments. Most users find it deeply soothing and non-greasy, though a notable number report issues with pilling or the product rolling off the skin, particularly under makeup.
Highlights
Soothing for compromised barriers Mostly Mentioned
- “Calmed my skin down immediately after barrier damage.”
- “Lifesaver for my post-accutane, dry, sensitive skin.”
- “Soothes irritation and redness within days.”
Gentle on sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “Doesn't irritate my sensitive skin at all.”
- “Only moisturizer that doesn't make my face sting.”
- “Great everyday moisturizer for sensitive skin.”
Non-greasy hydration Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin hydrated without feeling oily or thick.”
- “Absorbs well, no greasy shine.”
- “Light, gel-like texture that feels weightless.”
Pilling and flaking Often Mentioned
- “It pills so much, looks like dead skin cells.”
- “Peels off all day, cannot wear under makeup.”
- “Rolls off the face if you touch it.”
Reduces acne/blemishes Sometimes Noted
- “Acne has completely subsided since using this.”
- “Reduced the appearance of my blemishes.”
- “Doesn't clog pores or cause breakouts.”
Inferior to old formula Sometimes Noted
- “New Iso-Biome formula is not as good as the original.”
- “Old formula was perfect, this one dries me out.”
- “Miss the old version, this one has a fragrance.”
Not moisturizing enough Sometimes Noted
- “Skin feels tight again after a few hours.”
- “Needs a second layer, doesn't last very long.”
- “Not intense enough for very dry winter skin.”
Small size / High price Sometimes Noted
- “Expensive compared to the performance.”
- “Tube is tiny, runs out very quickly.”
- “Price is high for such a small amount.”
Stinging sensation Rarely Noted
- “Burned badly around my nose and sensitive areas.”
- “Stings a little when applied initially.”
- “Caused redness and burning on application.”
Sources: lovi.care, lookfantastic.com, boots.com, laroche-posay.co.uk, sephora.co.uk, cultbeauty.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
What makes La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Moisturiser a great fit for dry sensitive skin?
La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Moisturiser is a great fit because it uses glycerin and panthenol to effectively hydrate and calm irritation on dry, sensitive skin. Squalane and niacinamide further support the skin barrier to enhance overall comfort with a very low risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
This cream is a great fit for your dry sensitive skin because it contains glycerin and panthenol to hydrate and calm irritation, alongside squalane and niacinamide to support your skin barrier and enhance comfort. It also features thermal water to help soothe dryness and redness.
What does Thermal Water do for dry sensitive skin?
Thermal Water helps calm dry sensitive skin by reducing redness and soothing irritation. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may support a more comfortable feel for reactive skin types.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2020Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2011
What does Niacinamide do for dry sensitive skin?
Niacinamide helps dry sensitive skin by calming irritation and keeping moisture locked in so your face feels soft and smooth. It works to build up your skin barrier and calm redness while being very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2013
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cream goes in the evening routine after your treatment step, and it is also great as a daily moisturizer to keep dry sensitive skin soft and calm. Regular use of a gentle moisturizer helps replenish lost moisture and supports a healthy skin barrier.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol, and applying it before or after retinol helps keep your dry skin calm and comfortable. Using a gentle moisturizer with barrier-supporting ingredients like squalane and panthenol is unlikely to reduce retinol's effectiveness while minimizing dryness and irritation.
How often should I use this cream?
This moisturizer is a great fit for your dry sensitive skin, so you can apply it daily as part of your routine. Using it regularly helps keep your skin hydrated and calm while supporting your skin barrier.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your dry and sensitive skin. It uses gentle, hydrating ingredients that support your skin barrier without heavy oils that typically lead to clogged pores.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizer around your eyes and on your body to hydrate dry skin and calm irritation. Its gentle formula contains glycerin and panthenol, which help improve moisture levels and comfort without harsh ingredients.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A dermocosmetic formulation containing Vichy volcanic mineralizing water, Vitreoscilla filiformis extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E accelerated skin renewal, improved antioxidant defenses, enhanced skin barrier recovery after acute stress, and improved microbiome recovery compared to untreated skin.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2022Balneotherapy with thermal water altered specific skin microbiota at genus and species levels in healthy female volunteers compared to tap water, which produced no significant microbiome changes.
Life, 2023Malaysian thermal spring water as an adjunct to standard acne therapy improved skin hydration, reduced dryness and stinging, enhanced overall tolerability, and improved the acne disability index in patients with mild to moderate acne.
The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2024A 2% Sphingomonas xenophaga ferment extract cream applied twice daily for 4 weeks significantly decreased facial vascular disorder scores compared to vehicle in 86 Caucasian female subjects, alongside dose-dependent inhibition of pre-kallikrein activity in vitro.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020The combination of Vitreoscilla filiformis extract and Vichy volcanic mineralizing water strengthens the skin barrier by stimulating skin differentiation and tight junctions, enhances biochemical defenses via antimicrobial peptides, and supports cellular immune defenses by increasing the IL-10/IL-12 ratio and protecting Langerhans cells from ultraviolet radiation compared to controls.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Zea Mays Corn Starch, Niacinamide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Myristyl Myristate, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sodium Hydroxide, Myristic Acid, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Palmitic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Capryloyl Glycine, Caprylyl Glycol, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Parfum
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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