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Not to brag, but I’m not a huge fan of sunscreen. I’m indoors most of the time (waiting for the cloudy fall weather to arrive!), but when I do venture out into the sun, especially on vacation, sunscreen is an important step in my skin care routine. The last time I got a tan in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, it left spots on my back that lasted for months. Lesson learned.
I’ve never been a huge sunscreen fanatic, so I’ve never had a favorite sunscreen. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Sol de Janeiro’s Rio Radiance Body Spray SPF 50 because it has that signature summery scent of Cheirosa ’97 and it’s easy to apply. And, of course, I use the much talked about Vacation Sunscreen Classic Whip SPF 30. What would I be as a beauty writer if I didn’t? But when it comes to my face, it wasn’t until I had my first Candela Matrix Pro radiofrequency microneedling treatment that I found a sunscreen I love.
The team at Candela sent me a gift bag filled with Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion, a post-microneedling essential, and La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen Gentle Lotion, my new go-to SPF.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Gentle Sunscreen Lotion
“Mineral sunscreens, like La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen Gentle Lotion, contain active mineral ingredients such as zinc and titanium dioxide that protect the skin from UV rays,” explains Mariana Vergara, PhD, founder of Beauty Villa Vergara, who gave me three radiofrequency microneedling treatments. “These sit on the surface of the skin, reflecting UV rays and acting like a physical barrier. This type of sunscreen is recommended for sensitive skin or for use after treatments such as radiofrequency microneedling.”
Buy La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen Gentle Lotion at Dermstore, $26
Buy La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen Gentle Lotion on Amazon for $26
In addition to being able to use it after treatment, this affordable sunscreen targets both UVA and UVB rays, making it an especially good choice for those with oily skin because it contains lipohydroxy acid, which helps reduce breakouts and shine, Vergara says.[Lipo Hydroxy Acid] “It’s a derivative of salicylic acid, which can regenerate oily skin,” she says. “It also contains vitamin E, a great antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals.”
With Vergara’s stamp of approval and hundreds of glowing reviews from Amazon shoppers, I knew this was a winner, and after a few weeks of consistent use, I can see why: Not only did it protect my skin from post-treatment sunburn (when skin is super sensitive to light), but my makeup also went on super smoothly over the SPF and stayed on for hours.
Since then, I’ve been carrying this sunscreen wherever I go, but it was put to the test on my birthday during a sunny stay at the fabulous Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica. I slathered it from head to toe and spent the day lounging by the pool, then took an early evening stroll along the sandy beach before dinner. Despite the hot temperatures, I applied heavy makeup over the gentle sunscreen. To my surprise, thanks to the sunscreen, my makeup stayed smooth and velvety (without any excess shine) all day, and I didn’t experience any burn marks whatsoever.
After 3 months of regular use, I’ve found that this non-greasy SPF not only protects my face and body, but also acts as a really good makeup primer. Now that’s one less product to take on a trip. I don’t use this SPF every day, but when I need sun protection, I reach for La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen Gentle Lotion.
More from SCOUTED:
These serum drops are the best SPF option for people who hate sunscreen
Finally, a transparent SPF that doesn’t cast a white cast
Whipped cream on your face? No, this isn’t just a TikTok gimmick. It’s sunscreen.
Read more at The Daily Beast.
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