Keeping our skin protected in the sun... and after with La Roche Posay

The temperatures are soaring again next weekend here in Malta for the second heatwave in as many weeks in a row. We all know the drill by now; keep hydrated, wear light, protective clothing, avoid the sun in its peak hours, etc but of course, few of us can resist our beautiful beaches and taking a dip in the crystal clear waters, and this is where La Roche Posay comes in.

One of my favourite sun protection products, Anthelios XL Non-Perfumed Dry Touch Gel Cream SPF50+ has been re-formulated and I happy to see they have maintained the dry touch formula still. I love using this product on my face mostly as it is specifically targeted towards protecting oily skin as well as sun intolerant and the most sensitive of skin types.

It is anti-shine, thanks to the Airlicium Technology which absorbs up to 100x its weight in water and controls all sources of sebum and sweat for up to 9 hours, which is why my boyfriend loves it so much and asks for it specifically when we are the beach. Also, the pump dispenser is ace for controlling the amount of product you want on a relatively small area of the body. Although the product is meant more for use on the face, I also like to use it on the rest of my body because the formula is water resistant and is absorbed almost immediately and leaves no white streaks!

My absolute favourite innovation from La Roche Posay this year, is Posthelios Anti-oxydant Hydra Gel - an after sun gel that is 76% La Roche Posay thermal water!

Of course, this is meant to be used after a shower or bath to instantly soothe your skin following exposure to the sun. It still contains Aloe Vera which is well known for its soothing properties but being it is mostly thermal water, this after sun is winner as it doesn't leave your skin feeling sticky! I like to put mine in the fridge for an extra cooling treat ;) An after sun gel or lotion is essential for cooling down the skin and to prevent any nasty peeling so do not forget to treat your skin to it :) Moreover, Posthelios is rich in anti-oxidants for effective free-radical neutralisation and thus, further protecting your skin. La Roche Posay's Posthelios comes in a conveniently sized 200ml tube.

A yellow warning for high temperatures has been issued ahead of this weekend's sky high temperatures so do be careful when out in the sun, and stay protected with La Roche Posay!

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Skin Protect Ocean Respect with Eau Thermale Avène's 2017 Summer Skin Care Range

Hello everyone! The month of May is quite an exhausting one in terms of events with new launches and shop opening happening almost every day and Fashion Week is just less than two weeks away. However, despite being too hectic, there are events organized by certain brands that I wouldn't miss for the world; a case in point are all events organised by Pharma.MT.

In fact, on Thursday evening, I was invited to the launch of some new summer skin care innovations from Eau Thermale Avène which took place at Villa Arrigo, one of the best venues on the islands. Even though the weather sometimes suggests otherwise, summer is most definitely around the corner thus it is time to really start piling up on the SPF products.

Eau Thermale Avène already have a full range of sun care products which I use on a daily basis but of course, with the brand being partnered with the European Skin Cancer Foundation (ESCF), the researchers at Avène are always on top of their game and are coming up with new products every so often to make sure the most sensitive of skins are protected. This year, Eau Thermale Avène are also launching a new campaign titled Skin Protect Ocean Respect which aims at better conservation of the environment, the oceans and marine life through improved biodegradable formulas and eliminating the use of substances classified as toxic for marine organisms. More information about this campaign can be accessed at eau-thermale-avene.com.

Dr. Marco Ambonati introduced the new products during last Thursday's event, namely SunsiMed and some new High Protection (SPF 50+) sun creams for sensitive skin.

The biggest innovation for Eau Thermale Avène this year, is SunsiMed which is actually a product that is marketed as a Class I medical device as it aids in the prevention of some of the most common skin cancers - Actinic Kertosis, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Basal Cell Carcinoma.

The Pierre Fabre Institute, which is where all Eau Thermale Avène products are researched and developed, has designed SunsiMed specifically for skins that are hypersensitive to the sun. SunsiMed provides very high protection against UVA and UVB rays and thus prevents the formation of certain types of skin cancer and photo-aging. SunsiMed also features a patented photo-stable formula that offers a very broad spectrum of coverage and features Eau Thermale Avène's dry-touch texture, is fragrance free and is water resistant. Like all other Eau Thermale Avène products, SunsiMed features sterile packaging with precise dosage thanks to their specially designed pump. It is important that you follow your dermatologist's instructions when using this product.

Eau Thermale Avène sun care range also caters for oily and acne prone skin with their Clenance Solaire SPF 50+ which also has a Dry Touch texture and regulates sebum production thus keeping the skin looking mattified. Moreover, there is also a range for children, again with SPF 50+. Lastly, there is a new After-Sun Repair Lotion and the classic Thermal Spring Water Spray for when you need to refresh your skin.

Eau Thermale Avène products are sold in pharmacies.

Review | Pupa Milano Super After Sun Cream

Come summer, we get to see a lot adverts for sun blocks and sun protection products, and rightly so; but what about taking care of our skin after exposure to the sun? Today I want to show you my latest discovery in this department - the Pupa Milano Super After Sun Cream.

What makes this after sun different from others I have used in the past is that I can use this in the shower on clean, wet skin for a more rapid absorbtion. Moreover, it contains Sun Optimizer as its active ingredient which helps prolong your tan - something my paler than pale skin craves.

I have found this to be extremely useful after a full day at sea when all I want to do when I get home is shower and sleep. Thus, all I have to do is shower and slather on Pupa Milano After Sun Cream while my skin is still wet. And if my hair and face are in need of a moisturising treat, this product can be applied to them as well; though I do recommend you rinse your hair after leaving the product for a couple of minutes.

I really look forward to using this product following sun exposure when my skin is craving that minty fresh feeling of something soothing and emollient and I cannot recommend the product enough! Pupa Milano Multifunction Super After Sun Cream comes in a maxi size 300ml tube and retails for €16.30 from authorised pharmacies and outlets.

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Review | La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Dry Touch Gel-Cream SPF50+

Today, I will be reviewing the second product from La Roche Posay's Anthelios range that was kindly sent to me to test out, namely Anthelios XL Dry Touch Gel-Cream SPF50+. You can check out the review for Athelios XL Extreme Fluid here.

 

I was very excited to try this product out mainly because it is specifically tailored for oily/sensitive skin types, which is what I have and because I was curious about its gel-cream texture. The packaging is pretty standard, where the product is supplied in a 50ml tube format with a matching box and information leaflet.

 

 

 

The product has a very particular texture - looks like your conventional sunblock, a white fluid but it bears a dry, gel-like feel which reminds me a little of makeup primers. Anthelios XL Dry Touch Gel-Cream comes in two protection levels, SPF30 and SPF50+ which sustain the brand's 10 year commitment in the prevention of skin cancer.

 

 

It offers protection against UVA and UVB rays, is extremely water-resistant, absorbs instantly without leaving any white marks and most importantly, it doesn't make my skin feel greasy or shiny. I gave this product the ultimate test last Sunday while at a pic-nic with my boyfriend's family. The sun was scorching all day and I didn't even show the least sign of sunburn on my face. Moreover, the sunblock stayed put and my skin didn't feel oily at any time! The product contains Zinc gluconate which regulates sebum production, hence allowing the skin to stay oil-free longer. I had applied some makeup on top of the cream and it stayed put all day too!

 

I have found this product extremely useful while I am undergoing laser hair removal treatments. Undergoing such treatments, leaves the skin very sensitive and avoiding the sun is imperative to prevent pigmentation damage. Anthelios XL offers adequate protection and I definitely recommend this range of products. Worth to note is that I didn't breakout from using this product.

Anthelios XL Dry Touch Gel-Cream is paraben free, fragrance free and is non-comedogenic.

The La Roche Posay Anthelios range can be found in pharmacies around Malta & Gozo. More information on your nearest stockist can be obtained from their Facebook page.

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Review | La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+

In Malta, summer is already palpable...higher temperatures and sunny days are getting more frequent and consequently, I have been taking more care of my skin when being exposed in the sun.

 

I know I should wear sunscreen all year round, but I haven't got that habit yet. Having said that, come the month of May, I never go out without sunscreen even on cloudy days because it is common knowledge that UV rays still pass through and can damage your skin.

 

I for one, have not changed to my summer wardrobe yet and so my face and hands are the only frequently exposed areas but they still need adequate protection. Luckily, La Roche Posay, which are always at the forefront when it comes to sun protection products, have added a brand new face product to their Anthelios range and they have also refined the texture of one of their existing products.

 

For those new to it, Anthelios caters for the sun protection needs of children and adults alike and the range consists of a number of products. The first product I am going to review is Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid with SPF 50+ which is actually the revised formula product.

 

Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid is presented in a conveniently sized 50ml slim, plastic container which comes in a box along with an informative package insert.

 

 

As the name implies, the product is a very runny and fluid white cream which is meant to be applied on the face and its ultra light texture is specifically tailored for the needs of normal to combination skin. The product applies nicely and a little goes a long way. It is easily absorbed and dries to an imperceptible finish with no white marks and if doesn't feel greasy - a first when it comes to sunblock for the face.

 

 

Anthelios XL offers very high protection against UVA and long-wave UVA rays (penetrate deeper into the skin and accelerate the skin's ageing process. They are also responsible for sun allergy development) thanks to its patented filtering system which combines Mexoryl, SX and XL together with Senna Alata, a cell protector of natural origin. Consequently, it also offers an increased protection against UVB rays (stimulate tanning and are mainly responsible for damage). The formula is also paraben free, perfume free and is non-comedogenic.

 

Moreover, due to the high protection against UVA rays, Anthelios is suitable for the most sensitive of skins that are prone to sun allergies. 

Personally this is now one of my go-to sun protection products especially because it agrees so well with my oily skin type. I have not perceived any burning while wearing this product and it holds for a good number of hours. Of course, reapplying is a must to top up the protection level.

 

La Roche Posay Anthelios XL is widely available in pharmacies across Malta and Gozo. For more information, check out the Facebook page here.

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