SUN PROTECTION
& PRODUCT SAFETY

If you are reading this, you are probably keen to protect your skin from the harm sun can do. But you may also be concerned about the safety of sun protection products for your family’s health, and for the environment too.

YOUR QUESTIONS
OUR ANSWERS

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How can I protect my face from the sun?

To avoid premature ageing or skin cancer, it is important to use daily facial sunscreen. This is all the more important if you are pregnant or using the oral contraceptive pill, as this puts you at risk of “pregnancy mask.” Choose a texture that best suits your skin such as a comfort cream for dry skin, a non-comedogenic gel for oily skin or a fresh mist if you like rubbing cream in.


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How can I protect my skin from the sun without sunscreen?

Dermatologists recommend wearing hats, sunglasses and protective clothing as well as seeking shade when the sun is at its strongest. But sunscreen is at the core of sun protection strategies and cannot be omitted from your routine. ANTHELIOS sunscreens undergo rigorous testing on even the most sensitive skin to ensure total safety.


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Which sunscreen is safe for coral reefs?

Both of the primary filters in La Roche-Posay’s ANTHELIOS range, Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL, have been extensively tested with regard to marine environments. In ecotoxicology testing, 5 weeks’ exposure to these filters at concentrations higher than those found in sea water neither induced coral bleaching nor had any negative effect on the coral’s symbiotic micro-algae.


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What is sunscreen SPF?

SPF stands for “sun protection factor”. It relates to your sunscreen’s ability to protect skin against UVB rays which cause burning. The higher the number, the greater the protection. When in the sun, you are recommended to apply a minimum of SPF 30 every 2 hours. A golfball-sized amount is required for the whole body.


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Does a spray tan protect you from the sun?

Absolutely not! Spray tans react with dead cells at skin’s surface to “dye” the skin. This has no bearing whatsoever on the skin’s defences against the sun. Spray tanning is much safer than conventional tanning, but you must continue to protect your skin from the sun after a spray tan using broad-spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen.


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TRUE
OR FALSE

True or False Visual 1

NO NEED TO WEAR SUN
PROTECTION WHEN IT'S CLOUDY.

FALSE  "False" question image

Even on a grey and rainy day, skin is exposed to UV rays that will gradually cause the stigmata of photo-ageing to appear. To fully protect your skin, opt for sunscreen every day, not just when it’s warm and sunny. 
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True or False Visual 3

SUN CAN MAKE
YOU AGE PREMATURELY.

TRUE  "True" answer image

UVA rays disrupt skin’s inner building blocks such as collagen and elastin fibres. Over time,sun exposure causes a loss of plumpnessand elasticity as well as wrinkles. UVB rays also stimulate patchy and irregular pigment production leadingto dark spots and a sallow complexion. Globally, thesechanges in the skin are known as photo-ageing.
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True or False Visual 1

DARK CLOTHES ARE
BETTER-SUITED FOR THE SUN.

TRUE  "True" answer image

Indeed, dark and intense colours such as black, navy, red, or emerald green, provide more UV protection than white and pastels. So make sure you bring along some dark colours items of clothing too when packing for your next holidays!
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IS SUNSCREEN SAFE?

Is sunscreen safe to use? You may have read or heard about claims that sunscreen can actually cause cancer. The truth is that these claims are misleading and lack any evidence base. No data published to date shows any adverse health effects in humans due to the regular use of sunscreen, whereas its protective effect against skin cancer has been widely demonstrated. 

The bottom line is that it is the sun, and not sunscreen, that causes skin cancer.

Try out our face sunscreen spray from the Anthelios range.

THE LA ROCHE-POSAY MISSION:
PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH

With an expert dermatological brand like La Roche-Posay, which rigorously tests its products on the most vulnerable skin, you are in safe hands. Our mission has always been to promote and protect public health, offering maximum sun protection suitable for even the most sensitive and vulnerable skin: From babies to seniors.

TAKING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT INTO ACCOUNT
AT EVERY STAGE OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

But what about the environment? La Roche-Posay Laboratories take the possibility of any environmental impact into account at every stage of product development. As part of the Sharing Beauty with All program,

La Roche-Posay ensures that 100% of our final products are meticulously evaluated in terms of environmental and social performance at every step of their life cycle, in order to strongly progress on 4 major criteria:

- environmental footprint of our formula (biodegradability, impact on aquatic life, renewability, etc.)

- raw material sourcing

- packaging

- product social benefits

Both of the sun filters used in La Roche-Posay suncare, Mexoryl XL and SX, have been tested on corals. Even extreme concentrations of these filters in sea water have been proven to have no bleaching effect on coral.

In the article below, you will find further information about the robust steps taken by La Roche-Posay to ensure its sun products protect skin, while respecting the environment.

OUR SAFETY
COMMITMENTS

Safety standards beyond international cosmetics regulations.

a model with their eyes closed showing their skin being allergy tested

100% PRODUCTS
ALLERGY TESTED

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One Prerequisite = Zero Allergic reactions
If we detect a single case, we go back to the labs and reformulate
a product head with an essential active dose

JUST THE ESSENTIAL,
AT THE RIGHT ACTIVE DOSE

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Developed in collaboration with dermatologist and toxicologist, our products contain only the necessary ingredients, at the right active dose.
a baby model with sensitive skin

TESTED
ON VERY SENSITIVE
 SKIN

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Our products' tolerance is verified on the most sensitive skin: reactive, allergic, acne-prone, atopic, damaged or weakened by cancer treatments.
a model's face with a product on their forehead to protect their skin

FORMULA PROTECTION
OVER TIME

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We select the most protective packaging associated with only the necessary preservatives, to guarantee intact tolerance and efficacy over time.

DEAR
READERS

The information displayed here is intended for general educational purposes only and should not in any case be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any medical question. Try out our spray sunscreen from the Anthelios range.