At any time of the year, I use at least one of La Roche-Posay’s products, as there are many great ones. I’ve known the Rosaliac range for many years now; Rosaliac UV Light moisturiser is one of my favourite anti-redness products. I’ve gone through many tubes of it over the years. So when LRP released a matching serum to the line, I was excited to try it. Especially, given all the glorifying (bought?) reviews, LRP couldn’t fail me, right? Well, they did this time. Frankly, I am just disappointed with Rosaliac AR Intense Serum.

According to LRP’s UK website, the serum is for localised redness, it ‘[i]mmediately calms sensations of discomfort. After 4 weeks, redness is reduced and the complexion is more even. Proven anti-relapse efficacy.’ And surely, this product matches many standards for products aimed at sensitive skin, given that it is hypoallergenic, with mild ingredients, and free from fragrance, alcohol, and parabens. The serum’s three main components are ambophenol, which is an extract from an Amazonian plant, neurosensine, a peptide, and thermal spa water just like many other French pharmacy brands use. A quick search on Google will show that LRP have done a lot to promote the plant and the peptide, including funding research. One research paper that I’ve found describes the product tested along with the use of Metronidazole (an antibiotic). I don’t have access to it, so I expect that the product will deliver promised results without additional medicine use.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Tambourissa Trichophylla Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide /Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester

The ingredients list looks pretty empty, to be honest, there’s not much in it compared to Rosaliac moisturisers. However, assured by LRP and by their magic ingredients: ambophenol for which they went to the Amazonia, the peptide and the spring water, which was in France for ages, I expect the ‘proven’ results. Neither I have rosacea, nor someone in my family. At least no dermatologist has ever told me that I do. I do, however, have a problem with persistent redness on my cheeks, eyelids and neck. Something like people get from sulphates in wine. I can manage it with products if they actually do something.

I have used the serum for over two months, double the time within which LRP promise results. This serum did little to nothing for me, I’ve noticed a slight improvement in the redness on my neck, and that’s all. However, the effect did not last long, where’s the ‘proven anti-relapse efficacy’?! I would say that LRP Toleriane Ultra Overnight Moisturiser is more helpful or SVR Sebiaclear Hydra. I won’t return to this serum. It seems to help many people, but it doesn’t work for me.
The last thing, if you have anything from LRP that is in similar packaging, cut it open after the pump stops working. There’s a lot of product in the bag that holds the product.

LRP’s Rosaliac AR Intense Serum retails for roughly €22 at lookfantastic.com.