Here at BRHQ we’ve a few Francophiles on staff. They wax lyrical about French cheeses, wine, bakery goods… basically the food in general. They get excited for Bastille Day. They sprinkle a little French into their daily conversation. So, you can imagine their excitement when La Roche-Posay entered the office… Let’s just say there were squeals of delight, and even a little face-fanning. And not just by the Francophiles. You see La Roche-Posay has long been known for its quality skincare. It’s a range designed for sensitive skin, and it’s recommended by over 25,000 dermatologists worldwide. It’s been a long time coming to these fair shores of ours, and now that it’s here we want to know everything about it!
We got in contact with Sam the Assistant Product Manager for La Roche-Posay and she generously agreed to let us go Behind the Brand!
Thanks for chatting with us, Sam. Tell us about the history of La Roche-Posay…
Thank you for having me! La Roche-Posay is a small village located in the heart of France, and the home of the largest European Dermatological Thermal Centre – the La Roche-Posay Thermal Centre. The centre was opened in the early 19th century and has a staff of over 10 dermatologists who treat over 10,000 patients with various skin conditions every year. La Roche-Posay boasts a thermal water source rich in Selenium renowned for its significant soothing qualities. The natural content of rare mineral salts and trace elements provides the water with its unique calming and antioxidant skin care properties, that have been recognised by the scientific community for decades. Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, La Roche-Posay skincare is formulated with active ingredients in optimal concentrations, and all products are tested on the most sensitive skin.
What’s the philosophy behind La Roche-Posay?
La Roche-Posay’s philosophy is underpinned by the brand’s mission to provide a better life for sensitive skin. La Roche-Posay is committed to supporting research in dermatology and is recommended by over 25,000 dermatologists world-wide. Benefiting from the latest advances in dermatology, the brand’s unique and stringent formulation charter enables optimal safety and efficacy across all products to enhance quality of life.
Where does La Roche-Posay stand in the Beauty Industry?
La Roche-Posay is a dermocosmetic brand. Dermocosmetic products are applied topically to the skin and are formulated to maintain the health and beauty of the skin… they combine a cosmetic (beautifying) action with a dermatological action, such as soothing, repairing or reducing wrinkles. This is a relatively new space as this area has not quite yet been developed in the New Zealand beauty industry. Over the years, New Zealand consumers have become more and more concerned with what they are putting on their skin, and this is why La Roche-Posay’s dermatologist-recommended products play such an important role in the beauty industry.
What makes La Roche-Posay different from other skincare brands?
La Roche-Posay’s dermatological commitment and exceptional quality standards make it different to other brands. Inspired by a unique, Selenium-rich thermal water source, renowned for its calming and antioxidant skin care properties, La Roche-Posay products are formulated with few active ingredients, but in optimal concentrations to ensure optimal efficacy and tolerance for even the most sensitive skin. The brand’s primary partners are dermatologists and pharmacists… this provides consumers with the confidence that they are being recommended with simply the most premium dermocosmetic products to create a better life for their sensitive skin.
Why do you think La Roche-Posay is so beloved internationally?
That is a very good question. I think there are many reasons to why La Roche-Posay has been loved by so many people all over the world. I personally love the brand’s intriguing medieval history and its heritage stemming a world-class Thermal Centre. I believe many people love the brand because the products are dermatologically tested on the most sensitive skin and clinically proven to improve quality of life for those with more problematic skins. It is a brand that people trust and it has generated quite a following around the globe.
What about La Roche-Posay do you think will most excite New Zealand beauty lovers?
New Zealand beauty lovers can get really excited about La Roche-Posay because there is now a skincare brand with solutions for sensitive skin! As mentioned, La Roche-Posay’s products are formulated with few active ingredients, but in optimal concentrations to ensure tolerance by those with even the most sensitive skin. The streamlined formulas showcase elegant textures and are packaged hygienically to prevent contamination. Most importantly, the range is formulated to create a better life for sensitive skin.
What is La Roche-Posay’s best-selling product?
The Anthelios XL Ultra-Light SPF 50+ fluid sunscreen. The Effaclar Duo (+) cream for problematic oily/acne prone skin would come in at a very close second.
What is it about this product that makes it so popular?
The product is absolutely amazing. Traditional sunscreen products can be thick, leave white marks, sit uncomfortably on the skin and just be unpleasant to use overall. However, the Anthelios XL Ultra-Light SPF 50+ fluid is non-greasy and non-sticky, and has a lightweight texture that just sits beautifully on the skin with an invisible finish. It contains an incredible formulation of minimal active ingredients suited to sensitive skin types without compromising on a very high level of sun protection.
Do you have a favourite La Roche-Posay product?
My personal favourite La Roche-Posay product would have to be the Anthelios XL Ultra-Light SPF 50+ fluid.
What is it you love about the product?
For me, it would have to be the sublime texture. It is super important for me to apply sunscreen daily as the UV levels are extreme in New Zealand. This product offers very high UVA/UVB sun protection, and I just love its non-greasy and non-sticky texture that disappears into my skin… It has been a real game-changer in my life!
Finally, can you give us a hint about what is next for La Roche-Posay?
We are working on some pretty exciting projects at the moment and we are expecting new La Roche-Posay products to hit the New Zealand market very soon. That’s all I can say for now but definitely watch this space for some exciting news!
Sam thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions! We're so excited to delve into the La Roche-Posay range - and the Anthelios XL Ultra-Light SPF 50+ fluid sunscreen sounds amazing! As does the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) cream, which is getting some serious love from our trial team, alongside the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Gel.
Aww... Sounds like the Anthelios XL Ultra-Light SPF 50+ fluid sunscreen is a must try. Always been using the same expensive sun care as I can't find any cheaper alternatives that is light with a soft finish. That's definitely added to my list to try. I've never heard of this brand so looking forward to hear more about it.