This is my lightweight SPF pick for Summer 2020

Hi friends!

I hate to admit this, but I was sooo late to the game when it came to facial sunscreens. Now, that’s not to say I didn’t absolutely drench myself in SPF when I was at the beach or at times of intense or prolonged sun exposure (cause I did!). But when it came to everyday, lightweight facial sunscreens to wear under makeup, I was quite delinquent just until last year. That’s when I discovered the truly awesome Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen, which I’ve already repurchased and will continue to repurchase. That’s got a gorgeous velvety gel texture that just sinks into the skin in such a pleasing way.

But I’ve always been super curious to try out one of the many sunscreens from La Roche-Posay, a luxury drugstore brand that’s available at CVS, Target, Walgreens, Ulta or Amazon, amongst other online retailers. Most, if not all, of their products are specifically formulated for sensitive skin – allergy-tested, fragrance-free, the whole nine yards. Their price range on sunscreens is generally between $20.00 – $45.00. So I recently picked up the Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen for Face SPF 50, and wow is it lovely! While I still love the Supergoop, I’ve been reaching for the La Roche-Posay a lot lately. I’d say it’s definitely my lightweight SPF of choice this season!

Let’s discuss it in a little more detail now.

LA ROCHE-POSAY ANTHELIOS MINERAL TINTED SUNSCREEN SPF 50

ULTRA LIGHT SUNSCREEN FLUID: This lightweight 100% mineral tinted face sunscreen with titanium dioxide was developed for sensitive skin. The universal tint leaves a matte finish and creates a healthy glow on all skin tones. It is formulated with Cell-Ox Shield® technology: broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection with antioxidants.

• 100% mineral tinted sunscreen for face provides broad spectrum SPF 50 protection
• Non-greasy, fast absorbing texture with a matte finish
• Lightly tinted sunscreen with iron oxides to provide a healthy glow that is suitable for all skin tones
• A powerful antioxidant complex to help protect skin from free radicals caused by UV rays
• Water resistant (40 minutes)
• Formulated and rigorously tested for skin tolerance, even on sensitive skin

 

 

INGREDIENTS

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

TITANIUM DIOXIDE 11%

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS

WATER• ISODODECANE• C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE• DIMETHICONE• UNDECANE• TRIETHYLHEXANOIN• ISOHEXADECANE• STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER• NYLON-12• CAPRYLYL METHICONE• BUTYLOCTYL SALICYLATE• PHENETHYL BENZOATE• SILICA• TRIDECANE• DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE• DICAPRYLYL ETHER• TALC• DIMETHICONE / PEG-10/15 CROSSPOLYMER• ALUMINUM STEARATE• PENTYLENE GLYCOL• PEG-9 POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE• IRON OXIDES• ALUMINA• POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID• PHENOXYETHANOL• MAGNESIUM SULFATE• PROPYLENE GLYCOL• CAPRYLYL GLYCOL• ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE• PEG-8 LAURATE• STEARIC ACID• DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE• DIETHYLHEXYL SYRINGYLIDENEMALONATE• TOCOPHEROL• PROPYLENE CARBONATE• CASSIA ALATA LEAF EXTRACT• MALTODEXTRIN• BENZOIC ACID• DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE• PEG-9

– La Roche-Posay Website

THE TEXTURE AND APPLICATION

It’s best not to be heavy-handed here and squeeze the heck out of the bottle – the texture is extremely fluid and runny. Give the bottle a good shake first. When you take off the cap, you’ll see a small nib (photo below) where the product dispenses.  Just one to two “decent” squeezes onto the back of your hand, and you should have enough product to thinly cover your entire face. This formula just glides across the skin, and I’ve applied it over both completely dry skin and skin that was just moisturized. It doesn’t feel greasy in the slightest, or drying, or stiff. It just feels like water; totally lightweight and non-offensive.

 

THE TINT

Honestly I didn’t mean to buy a tinted formula. I just wanted a clear SPF, which La Roche-Posay does a ton of in different textures. The CVS I went to was running very low on their stock so I just grabbed what was available. From what I can see online they only offer this in one shade which they call “universal.” Hmmm. On my pale, cool-toned skin, the tint gives my skin a lovely sun-kissed glow that’s perfect for summertime wear. (Not sure I’d bust this out in the winter though.) But I’d imagine it would only show up on light to medium skin tones, and look quite ashy on deeper skin tones. I *assume* the point of adding pigment to a sunscreen is to give the customer the option of not wearing a base over top, especially in the summer. I get it that it’s not supposed to be a foundation but if you’re going to add tint, at least try to offer a few different options.

 

 

 

THE FINISH AND WEAR

When you first apply this lightweight SPF it’s actually quite radiant and glowing. But after a few minutes of settling in it goes to what I’d call a “natural” finish – somewhere between matte and radiant. Very lovely.

Like a lot of facial SPFs this one is water or sweat-resistant but they do recommend reapplying after 40 minutes for maximum protection. Honestly I never do that since I’m usually wearing makeup over top; and truthfully, I’m indoors 85% of the time now – especially since COVID – so I don’t get much direct sun exposure. But if you’re going to be out in the sun all day, please do take precautions. A lot of brands sell SPFs in aerosol cans to make it easier to reapply throughout the day, which I do think is a great idea. I just have never invested in one.

Have you tried any sunscreens from La Roche-Posay before? What’s your favorite lightweight SPF for the face? I’d love to know!

xo, and be well, Erica

 

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