What is La Roche-Posay Anthelios? Why this suncream is your family’s new skin hero
Here's everything you need to know about keeping your family safe all year round with the dermatologist-tested, SPF50+ La Roche-Posay Anthelios range.
Every day is a sunscreen day, whether the weather is warming up and the sun peeking through the clouds, or not. As UVA and UVB rays are present all year-round, you might be wondering if your current sun cream is doing the best job of protecting your and your family's skin.
We all know how vital wearing suncream is in the sunshine, however, if you thought that this cloudy September weather warrants unprotected skin, you'd be mistaken. It's important to wear SPF50+ every day and to ensure your children do the same, but with so many different formulas, UVA ratings, SPFs, bottles, and more, choosing a suncream can be a hassle.
This guide will educate you on the importance of suncream, with a special emphasis on our hero product: the La Roche-Posay Anthelios collection. By the end of this read, you'll learn about year-round sun safety, how to apply suncare on yourself and your children effectively, and the differences between SPF, broad spectrum suncream, UVA and UVB.
Did you know La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics SPF50+ won the award for best kids sunscreen for sensitive skin in MadeForMums' best sun creams 2024 guide? The dermatologist-tested collection has pioneered UVA filters and broad-spectrum protection and comes in various textures and technologies for all skin types.
So without further ado, let's get started.
More like this
Shop Anthelios at La Roche-Posay
Jump to:
- What to look for in suncream
- What is La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios sun cream range?
- How to apply La Roche-Posay Anthelios sun creams
- Advice on how to stay safe all year round
- How long does La Roche-Posay Anthelios last and when should you re-apply?
- Where to buy La Roche-Posay Anthelios
What to look for in suncream
When shopping for suncream there are plenty of factors to consider. Some factors might be aesthetic, for example, bottle size for portability, type of application such as a spray top or pump, and a grip on the bottle. However, some of the most important elements include SPF and UVA.
A suncream of at least SPF30 is needed to protect against UVB. UVA protection can be indicated by the letters 'UVA' in a circle, which confirms the suncream meets the EU standard; the EU standard for the UVA sign is for it to be at least 1/3 of the SPF value.
If you're planning on using an older suncream, it's vital that it isn't passed its expiry date.
However, a safe bet when shopping for suncream is to select a product from a brand you trust. La Roche-Posay is an expert in sun protection and has been for over 25 years. The skincare brand also works in collaboration with dermatologists worldwide, and the Anthelios range is no exception.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios has innovated the way suncream pioneers UVA filters and broad spectrum protection, and it's effective for all skin phototypes.
The La Roche-Posay website also offers brilliant incentives for shopping online, such as a free online skin consultation and free delivery when you spend £25 or over.
You might notice acronyms like SPF and UVA are mentioned a lot above, but what exactly do they mean? The MadeForMums team have broken this down for you.
What does SPF mean?
SPF stands for sun protection factor, and it measures the amount of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) protection.
You might have noticed that a lot of suncream bottles have SPF10, SPF15, SPF30 and SPF50, but did you know that SPFs are actually rated on a scale of two to 50+ depending on the level of protection the suncream offers? SPF50+ offers the strongest form of UVB protection.
La Roche-Posay's Anthelios range offers SPF50+, and the UVMUNE 400 products offer the most efficient UV filter against the most penetrative UV rays*.
What is the difference between UVA and UVB?
Above, we've mentioned ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) and ultraviolet B radiation (UVB): but what are the key differences between these two types of radiation? We've broken it down for you.
UVA has a longer wavelength, and it's associated with premature skin ageing.
UVB has a shorter wavelength, and it's associated with skin burning.
Approximately 95% of the UV rays which reach the ground are UVA rays, and the other 5% are UVB rays. UVB rays are more responsible for sunburn, though UVA can contribute to the burning process, too, and this is because they have higher energy levels than UVA rays.
What is broad-spectrum suncream?
Broad spectrum suncream offers protection from both of the above UV rays, UVA rays and UVB rays. It's important to be covered against both UV rays as, although UVB makes up just 5% of the UV rays which reach the ground, burning is damaging to your skin.
Shop Anthelios at La Roche-Posay
What is La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios sun cream range?
If you're looking for a sun cream which will protect your and your family's skin against UVA and UVB rays, with up to SPF50+ coverage, you've come to the right place; La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios suncream range is the one-stop shop for sun protection.
The La Roche-Posay Anthelios sun cream range offers daily face and body sun protection at SPF30, SPF50, and SPF50+. The dermo paediatrics range is especially formulated not only for adult skin but for children's delicate and sensitive skin, while also being suitable for children who are prone to atopy.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 is formulated with the revolutionary UV filter Mexoryl 400, which is the most efficient UV filter for protection against ultra-long UVA*. Many of the La Roche-Posay Anthelios products are enriched with Mexoryl XL and Mexoryl SX to provide high protection against UVA, UVB and Infrared rays. Plus, you'll find some of the sun creams are combined with La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water to help soothe sensitive skin, as well as Vitamin E and Shea butter.
For extra peace of mind, La Roche-Posay Anthelios adheres to a standard stricter than the European recommendation when it comes to protection against UVA rays.
Recommended by dermatologists
A dermatologist is a medical doctor with a Doctorate entry-level degree, and dermatologists specialise in conditions which affect your skin, hair and nails. So, when it comes to applying something on your skin, it's great to purchase something dermatologist-approved.
The results of a 2023 study with 74 Consultant Dermatologists concluded that La Roche-Posay is the number one dermatologist-recommended sun protection in the UK, with Consultant Dermatologist Dr Hiva Fassihi saying: "I recommend my patients wear Anthelios daily, rain or shine".
To date, the award-winning Anthelios sun care range has been proven to be efficient in over 70 clinical studies; La Roche-Posay Anthelios has been tested under dermatological control on sensitive skin, under ophthalmological control on sensitive eyes and the eye area, tested on contact lens wearers, and allergy tested.
Sand and water-resistant
We know how annoying it is when sand gets stuck to your skin after just applying suncream, and with your children likely to be in and out of the pool on holiday, it's great to purchase a suncream which is water resistant.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios has been tested under dermatological and pediatric control, and it is water, swear and sand resistant. The SPF50+ suncream is also non-greasy, non-sticky and non-perfumed — a winning combination!
However, just because a suncream is water resistant, doesn't mean you shouldn't reapply it after being in the water. We have plenty of advice on how to stay safe in the sun later on in this guide.
Shop Anthelios at La Roche-Posay
How to apply La Roche-Posay Anthelios suncreams
La Roche-Posay Anthelios sunscreens come in a few different variations: a practical spray format, and a stick which is specifically formulated for sun-sensitive skin and over-exposed (but often forgotten) areas such as eyes, nose, ears, lips and moles.
When applying the La Roche-Posay Anthelio spray suncream, a good rule of thumb is to spray onto your palms before applying, don't spray directly onto your face. If possible, avoid the eye area, but if the sun cream does come into contact with the eyes, rinse immediately and thoroughly.
As parents, we know how difficult it is to remove suncream stains from fabric, so avoid contact with clothes whenever possible.
Shop Anthelios at La Roche-Posay
Advice on how to stay safe all year round
La Roche-Posay is committed to helping everyone stay safe whatever the weather with SPF recommended by dermatologists, and intelligent formulas that are suitable for daily use for all sensitive skin types. We also have expert sun safety guidance, to give you a little helping hand when it comes to staying protected all year round.
One of the dermatologist-recognised methods for keeping an eye on your moles and identifying suspect lesions is the ABCDE method. ABCDE stands for asymmetry, border, colour, diameter and evolution. If you notice any of the above developing, it's important to get the mole checked out by a GP.
Another red flag to keep an eye out for is the development of new moles.
Remember, every day is a sunscreen day as UVA and UVB rays are present all year round, not just when the sun is shining. It's important to protect your skin every day, and include sunscreen as part of your daily routine.
Shop Anthelios at La Roche-Posay
How long does La Roche-Posay Anthelios last and when should you re-apply?
As a rule of thumb, you should apply suncream just before sun exposure, and reapply suncream generously and frequently.
We mentioned earlier that La Roche-Posay Anthelios is water and sweat-resistant, however, to stay protected, it's a good idea to reapply each time you've been in the water. The coolness of water may trick you into thinking your skin won't be burnt, and water reflects UV rays, which will also increase your exposure.
It goes without saying that you and your family should wear SPF outdoors, but what about indoors? Regular glass windows block UVB rays but let through UVA rays; UVA rays can contribute towards premature skin ageing. If you’re sitting near a window, we recommend to wear sunscreen and reapply every two hours.
Shop Anthelios at La Roche-Posay
Where to buy La Roche-Posay Anthelios
You can buy the complete La Roche-Posay Anthelios range at La Roche-Posay.
Shop Anthelios at La Roche-Posay
*Ultra long UVA rays [380-400nm]. UVA causes premature ageing.
Authors
Create the perfect wishlist for your baby with MyCrib
Are you expecting and don't know where to start? Discover how MyCrib can help you build your dream wishlist. You can add products from any site with just one click and even use MyCrib's buying assistant to help get you started.