Summer SPF: Avène and La Roche Posay

My Derma Center's Deluxe Gift Set Offer

Black Friday Deals on French Pharmacy Skincare

Switching Up My Cleanser: La Roche Posay and Green People

My Current Skincare Routine: Dehydated, Combination Skin Type

Big International Beauty Giveaway: Liz Earle, Ren, Origins, Benefit etc.

My Current Cleansing Routine

La Roche Posay's Anthelios XL SPF 50 Range

I know that summer seems like a long way off, but it's never too soon to start thinking about how you're going to be protecting your skin from the sun. In an ideal world, I'd wear SPF every single day - and even those who don't have very fair skin could benefit from protecting their skin from harmful UVA and UVB damage. Last month I attended La Roche Posay's Anthelios XL event where a couple of new SPF products were launched. Today I'm going to talk about a small portion of their sun protection range, in the hopes that it might help at least some of you find new skin protection from the sun (whether it's just for an upcoming holiday, or part of an updated daily skincare routine).

La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Protective Oil* | rrp £ 18.00/200ml

I've never tried a sun protection oil before, but I'm certainly intrigued by La Roche Posay's SPF 50+ Protective Oil. Not only does it offer incredibly high UVA Protection thanks to its patented filtering system, but it's also waterproof and hydrating. My only disappointment is that it contains a high concentration of mineral oil, which means that it isn't suitable for acne prone skin (as mineral oil clogs pores). I will be giving this a proper test during the summer to see how I get along with it.

La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Cream* | rrp £15.50/50ml

La Roche Posays SPF 50+ Cream has been developed for men and women with sensitive skin, and those with a sensitivity to nickel. It's free from parabens and is non perfumed, and it's a great option for those with dry skin as it's got a really nice creamy and hydrating texture. For those with dry skin, this is definitely a great option for everyday use as it isn't too heavy to wear underneath makeup. It also contains the antioxidant Baicalin which helps protect against the ageing effects of long UVA. 

La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ BB Tinted Comfort Cream* | rrp £15.50/50ml

Especially suitable for dry skin, La Roche Posay's Anthelios XL SPF 50+ BB Tinted Comfort Cream offers highly waterproof UVA protection whilst also soothing, illuminating and unifying the appearance of your skin. Like the un-tinted cream, the BB cream contains Baicalin - a new ingredient that is clinitically proven to reinforce protection against the effect of UV rays, including long UVA (the rays which generate free radicals and provoke irreversible damage within the skin). The cream itself isn't sticky and it sits well on the skin, making it a perfect makeup base for those with dry skin. 

La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo-Kids Lotion* | rrp £11.00/50ml

La Roche Posay's Baby Lotion has been designed with baby's skin (aged from six months - three years) in mind. Not only does it contain nourishing ingredients such as Shea Butter, but it provides incredibly high protection against UVA - twice as strict as European standards - as well as UVB protection. Owned by parent company L'Oreal, La Roche Posay have been able to make use of brand new ingredients and scientific development in the creation of their Anthelios range. When it comes to sun protection their products not only seem reliable but they're also incredibly well designed - in everything from the packaging to the texture. I'd definitely trust La Roche Posay to protect delicate, young skin and it's great to see products clinically tested on young children in their range. 

If you're interested, today (Friday April 10th) I'm holding a twitter giveaway where you can win La Roche Posay's Anthelios Dermo-Kids Lotion* - all you have to do is follow me on twitter and RT the giveaway tweet. If you'd like to enter, you can find me on twitter here.


Have you tried La Roche Posay's Anthelios range before? 
What daily SPF do you use?

New Additions from La Roche Posay & the new #Skinchecker Video

Last week I was very kindly invited to La Roche Posay's Anthelios 2015 Launch Event in London, celebrating the release of the brand's new sun protection products. I was very interested to learn more about sun protection and it was incredibly helpful to be talked to the way in which La Roche Posay's suncare products work. I was give a very generous goodybag at the event (pictured below - because I know everyone is just as nosy as I am when it comes to these things) and I'm definitely going to be sharing some of what I learnt in an upcoming blogpost where I'll talk you through some of the new products.

The event was also connected with the release of La Roche Posay's new #Skinchecker Video - which I've included at the end of this blogpost. It's a short video that La Roche Posay put together in order to encourage people to check their loved ones for skin abnormalities - especially their moles and beauty spots. Skin cancer is one of the easiest to detect but, as with all types of cancer, it's vital to spot the symptoms early. The video went live last week and La Roche Posay is promoting it internationally. It's all about encouraging people to keep an eye out for the people they love, especially over the summer when sun damage is much more likely.

I like the video but I like the message behind it even more. If you're interested in seeing some adorable dalmatians then do give it a watch - but if you're interested in promoting awareness of skin cancer and skin cancer prevention then do please also share the video. What's really nice about the Skinchecker campaign is that it isn't promoting La Roche Posay products, it's about raising awareness of the importance of protecting your skin from the sun and monitoring your skin, and the skin of those you love, for sun damage and abnormalities. I for one think that it's lovely to see a brand like La Roche Posay use its international influence to campaign in this way. Good for you La Roche Posay, and thank you for inviting me to a really well planned and well executed event.

What do you think of La Roche Posay's Skinchecker video?
  And do you wear SPF everyday?

Click here to enter my Steamcream Giveaway to win a limited edition tin of your choice

La Roche Posay's Effaclar Anti-Blemish System International Giveaway

I've had some really good experiences with La Roche Posay's products, especially their Effaclar Duo + which I found made a big difference to my blemish prone skin. Recently I was given the opportunity to trial La Roche Posay's newly released Effaclar Anti Blemish System* which includes three skincare products designed to be used together as a three step skincare regime. However, as I'm already currently trialling a full skincare routine I asked if I could instead offer the kit to one of my blog readers. La Roche Posay very kindly agreed so I now have a very exciting prize for one of you lovely lot.

La Roche Posay's Effaclar products are suitable for a whole range of skin types because although they work brilliantly at tackling blemish prone skin they aren't overly harsh. The first product in the Anti Blemish System kit that I'll be giving away is the Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel which removes bacteria that may lead to spots. The second product is the Effaclar Clarifying Toner that smooths, mattifies and tightens pores. The third product is the Effaclar Duo + which corrects the appearance of blemishes, unclogs pores and reduces the appearance of red and brown marks. Used twice daily (morning and evening) these products are designed to combat blemishes, unclog pores, reduce excess sebum and even out the texture of your skin. 

If you have blemish prone skin and would like to win La Roche Posay's Effaclar Anti Blemish System (RRP £32.95) then all you have to do is enter via the rafflecopter form below. This giveaway isn't sponsored but the prize has been provided to me by La Roche Posay and I will only be sending it to one winner who will be picked at random via rafflecopter. I will be checking all entries before contacting the winner, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: La Roche Posay Rosaliac CC Cream

La Roche Posay's Rosaliac CC Cream RRP £19.50*

La Roche Posay's Rosaliac CC Cream is a gorgeous base that is advertised towards those who suffer from redness in their skin and want a product that will help even out their skin tone. I am a prime example of someone who suffers from redness in their cheeks (as well as around my nose) and I'm always on the lookout for base products that offer good coverage without breaking me out or feeling too heavy. This CC Cream has a very thick consistency that works wonders at hiding all of my skin's sins (open pores, blackheads, spots and redness). I actually love the level of coverage that it gives, especially as it offers high coverage without feeling too heavy. It is a tad heavier than the base I'd been using previously - Bourjois' CC Cream, review here - but I prefer the finish the La Roche Posay CC Cream gives and I also don't have to worry so much about powdering my t-zone which makes it less hassle to wear. I think it's great for those want something that's really easy to apply, long lasting and has offers protection from the elements.

This CC Cream comes in one shade that is supposed to be suitable for fair-medium skin. I've swatched the CC Cream (quite heavily) in the above photos so you can get a sense of the colour at its darkest but you can also see just how little product you'd need to use to get a full coverage finish! I only need to use the smallest amount to get a medium-full coverage look that completely covers all the redness in my face. The colour works on my skin but it is definitely more my "summer colour", as it is a shade or two darker than I've been wearing over the last few months. I still think it is a very wearable shade and it does a nice job of warming up my complexion without leaving me looking orange. Given that this CC Cream has SPF 30, together with the colour of it, I think it will work perfectly as a summer base product - in the summer it will be a perfect colour match for me and having a built in SPF is something I need otherwise my skin is prone to burning. In the photo below I'm wearing La Roche Posay's Rosaliac CC Cream as my base - you can see that it leaves me looking a touch darker than the skin on my chest but I think it is still a very natural looking shade and finish.

What I'm Wearing
La Roche Posay Rosaliac CC Cream*
Seventeen Stay Time Concealer in Fair
NYX Powder Blush in Taupe
Topshop Glow in Gleam
Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze (lower lash line)
Sleek Respect Palette
Catrice Tinted Brow Gel
Yves Rocher Sexy Pulp Mascara*
L'Oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash in Romy

All in all, I'm really happy with this CC Cream from La Roche Posay and I think it is a great option for anyone who wants to mask redness in their skin but are looking for something that feels more like skincare than heavy make-up. I'll definitely be continuing to use this throughout the summer and no doubt I'll feature more 'face of the day' photos featuring it! You can find La Roche Posay's Rosaliac CC Cream on Escentual.com for £19.50*.

Have you tried any CC creams? What make-up base are you loving at the moment? 

March Beauty Favourites

Review: Effaclar Duo [+]

After reading so much about the Effaclar Duo I was more than keen to put the new Effaclar Duo [+]* to the test. I haven't tried the original so I can't make any comparative comments, but I will say now that the Effaclar Duo [+]* has seriously impressed me thus far. I've been using it for about five weeks now and the effects that it has had on my skin have been noticeable (if not dramatic). I'll begin by explaining how I use it and then explaining the results it has had for me.

The Effaclar Duo [+]* is a pretty light feeling gel-creme and I apply it all over my t-zone (which is where most of my clogged pores and blemishes tend to occur) and under my chin, and then I topically apply it to my cheeks as and when any blemishes occur. I use it in the mornings and evenings but I do use a facial oil on my cheeks and on the skin between my eyebrows because I have combination skin and, unlike my t-zone, those areas need intense moisturisation which the Effaclar Duo [+]* alone doesn't offer. However, on the rest of my face I have found it to be sufficient to use by itself.

What I have found is that over the last five weeks my open pores (especially on my nose) have noticeably shrunk in size and my skin has been left looking a lot smoother and clearer. I've also noticed that I've had fewer breakouts on the areas of my face where I apply this - the only actual spots I've had have been on my right cheek, an area which I only topically apply the Effaclar Duo [+]*. However, when I've used the product on these blemishes they have faded more quickly and the dark marks that I often find get left behind by spots have been less severe and fade much more quickly than I'd normally expect. The Effaclar Duo [+]* hasn't broken me our or dried out my skin, it has just worked as a very gentle spot-fighting agent and my previously very congested skin has been eased considerably. 

For the price, £15.50 in Boots (link here) or £10.33 on offer in Escentual (link here), I think it is a remarkable product and I would highly recommend it to anyone suffering from congested pores or frequent blemishes. My skin still behaves as though it were a teenager and the Effaclar Duo [+]* has managed to get it seriously under control and to me that speaks volumes!

Have you tried the Effaclar Duo [+]? What do you use to banish spots and refine pores?