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It’s not just genetics that grant our favourite celebrities flawless-looking skin. The A-listers have a host of beauty essentials that keep their complexions glowing and youthful, from brightening serums and anti-ageing creams to LED masks.

Just like our beloved celebrities, you may have started to see pigmentation, fine lines, sagging skin, which is why you’ve been ramping up preventative measures and stocking up on skincare products to keep your skin glowing and youthful-looking. However, most of these celebs make the same skincare mistake that we do, and that’s neglecting the use of sunscreen.

Ahead, we’ll give you the 411 on sunscreen and why experts and dermatologists deem it the most important step in any skincare routine.

Pssst! Keep reading, because I’ll be sharing my first impressions of a lightweight sunscreen that’s non-greasy and non-sticky: the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ PA++++.

Will your skincare products work if you didn’t apply sunscreen?

Credit: Shiny Diamond/Pexels

Whether you have an anti-ageing or anti-acne skincare routine, sunscreen is an essential step that can help to fully maximise the benefits of your other skincare products.

For instance, a brightening serum contains a concentrated dose of active ingredients that mitigate pigmentation and overall dullness. However, a lack of sunscreen can undo all the benefits that your serum brings about.

Think of sunscreen as a shield for your skin – without that shield, your skin’s defences would be weakened, and your serum would have a tough time tackling dark spots when it’s exposed to UV rays from the sun.

Apart from helping your products achieve their full potential, sunscreen is also touted as the best anti-ageing product by dermatologists like Dr. Shereene Idriss and skincare specialist Hyram Yarbro.

Sun exposure can cause premature skin ageing and issues such as dark spots, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. By applying sunscreen daily, you’re not only protecting your skin, but you’re also protecting your wallet! Of course, laser treatments can correct these skin woes, but they’ll cost you more than your daily sunscreen use.

Why you need to wear sunscreen even when you’re indoors

Credit: Cottonbro/Pexels

Think your skin is exempt from being exposed to harmful UV rays since you’re staying indoors? Think again.

Turns out, UVB rays, the primary rays that cause sunburn, are largely blocked by glass. However, more than 50% of UVA rays, the main cause of premature skin ageing, can penetrate clouds and glass. If you’re anywhere within several metres of the window, the rays will still be able to reach you. Likewise, on cloudy days where you can’t see the sun, the sun is still able to see you.

If you’re working from home, you may think that it’s safe to skip the sunscreen step in your routine. But the truth is, your skin is at its most vulnerable state, and UV rays can still cause damage to your skin when you’re indoors.

For those who have acne-prone skin, harmful UVA rays can also increase sensitivity and cause acne and pimples. This is especially true ever since the beginning of the pandemic and regular mask-wearing. More people who have normal skin have started to experience irritation, acne, and sensitivity over the lower half of their faces.

This is why it’s more crucial now than ever to apply sunscreen as it can protect your skin from sensitivity and even prevent acne relapse – it should be your skin’s first line of defence during the day, no matter where you are.

How much sunscreen should we be applying?

how much sunscreen to apply

Credit: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels

To achieve the sun protection factor (SPF) that’s reflected on a bottle of sunscreen, you should use approximately two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimetre of skin. That’s much larger than a 50-cent dollop to the face.

If you’re looking for an easy hack, we recommend dispensing sunscreen on the lengths of your fingers first before applying it on your face. An easy rule of thumb is three finger lengths for the face, and three for the neck and upper chest. You can’t go wrong with this simple trick.

While there certainly are plenty of lightweight sunscreens on the market, most formulas can feel sticky and tacky on the skin when you use the appropriate amount – this makes applying sunscreen while we’re cooped up at home an uncomfortable experience.

What’s more, it can feel greasy over time under a mask. Some sunscreens can even start to ball up and pill, ruining your chances of successfully layering makeup on top of it.

It’s not the end of the road, though. We’ve found a lightweight fluid formula that applies like a dream and feels weightless on the skin. It’s none other than the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ PA++++.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid: Why it’s a favourite among dermatologists

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid 1

Recommended by 60,000 dermatologists worldwide, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid isn’t just a favourite among derms. It’s also a customer favourite and a go-to sunscreen for those who seek high UV protection delivered in the lightest texture and suited for sensitive skin individuals.

Its formula even boasts broad-spectrum UV protection. Armed with SPF 50+ to protect the skin from UVB rays and a PPD rating of 46 (PA++++) to shield against UVA rays, the Anthelios sunscreen has the highest UVA protection on the market.

On this front, it seems the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid has scored full marks when it comes to shielding the skin from harsh UVA rays, making it the perfect all-rounder for both indoor and outdoor use.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid 2

Apart from UV protection, the sunscreen also has a lightweight, water-like texture that’s highly resistant to water, sweat, and even sand – perfect for our current erratic weather.

It’s either scorching hot out or pouring for hours on end, causing humidity to be trapped under our masks. Our skincare products can often start to feel heavy under our masks after mere minutes in the sun, some even melting off through the day. Speaking of mask-wearing, the sunscreen also doesn’t leave a white cast and will not transfer.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid also uses 100% organic filters, which makes the sunscreen completely safe for marine life. The sunscreen sounded a little too good to be true, so I decided to try it myself and see what the hype is all about.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid: First impressions

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid texture 2

To give you a little background on my skin, I have very sensitive, acne-prone skin that reacts negatively to plenty of sunscreens. Finding one that doesn’t sting my eyes and skin or make my skin break out has been a real struggle.

I learned that the Anthelios sunscreen is non-comedogenic too – a major bonus for those who have acne-prone skin like myself. Those that work well for my skin type can feel tacky when I apply the appropriate amount of sunscreen too.

However, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid had none of those undesirable characteristics. Before I dispensed the sunscreen on my fingers, I gave the bottle a shake to make sure the formula is well-mixed.

The watery, serum-like texture took me by surprise, and it applied easily on my skin and absorbed quickly in under a minute. I could grab my mask and head out right away or carry on with my tasks.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid before after

When the sunscreen settled, I noticed that the right side of my face (that’s what you see on your left) where I had applied it looked a little more matte – a major bonus for anyone with combination or oily skin.

Plus, it didn’t feel overly drying, unlike some other mattifying sunscreens I’ve tried. There were no changes to my skin tone as well, with no hint of a white cast and no streaks in sight – truly an invisible formula.

My skin didn’t feel sticky or suffocated by the sunscreen either. In fact, the sunscreen left a refreshing feeling on my skin. After all, my sensitive skin appreciates a fragrance-free formula over a scented one any day.

On top of that, it gives me a peace of mind too. I can go about my daily activities without having to worry about the sun’s damaging UV rays, whether I’m indoors or outdoors. After a long day, the sunscreen is still intact. It’s ultra-resistant to sweat and water, so it didn’t run or ball up on my skin.

I wish I had tried the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid sooner, but hey, it’s never too late to start. You’ll have to try it yourself to see and feel the difference.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ PA++++ retails for S$46.90 online at Watsons, Guardian, Shopee, and Lazada.

To find out more about the sunscreen, head over to La Roche-Posay’s website.

This article is brought to you by La Roche-Posay.


Get a sample of La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ PA++++ here!

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