La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream SPF 15 with Mexoryl SX, 3.4-Ounces
Price: $29.95
Ideal for: Daily facial moisturizing, especially if you have dry skin. This product also works well for individuals with sensitive skin, as it is fragrance free.
Added benefits: With three popular ingredients commonly found in sunscreens (see below), this product protects against sun damage at the same time that it moisturizes. It is also water resistant, and will protect against the sun after 40 minutes of immersion in water. Please note, however, that it only provides SPF 15. If you are planning to be in direct sun for a prolonged period of time, be sure to add a second agent. Reapplication is also recommended.
Noteworthy Ingredients:
- Glycerin – Glycerin is a liquid with a high boiling point, unique because it absorbs water from the air. Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, when glycerin is mixed with water, softens your skin.
- Ecamsule (3%) – This ingredient, patented by L’Oreal as Mexoryl SX, is the most unique aspect of this product. This ingredient provides some UVB protection and complete UVA protection, preventing sunburns, photoaging, and skin cancer. Ecamsule absorbs these dangerous rays and converts them into heat energy that is subsequently released. It is considered to be “better” than avobenzone (see below) because it is stable when exposed to UV rays and does not degrade (break down). This provides greater protection for a longer period of time.
- Avobenzone (2%) – Avobenzone, also called Parsol 1789, is an ingredient which absorbs UVA rays. Unfortunately, it is not stable enough to resist UV damage itself, and degrades with time and exposure. For this reason, sunscreens containing avobenzone are often paired with photostabilizing compounds, which do not degrade with UV exposure and provide support to avobenzone.
- Octocrylene (10%) – Octocrylene is one such photostabilizing compound. It not only protects paired compounds from degradation, it also increases how well they work. In addition, octocrylene blocks most UVB rays and the shorter UVA rays. It should be noted that octocrylene alone is a weak sun protective agent.
Why I Like It: This cream was gifted to me by a dermatologist, and I have been using it ever since. I like that my skin never feels greasy when I use this product – it goes on very smoothly and feels weightless against my skin. I do not break out more frequently with its use, and I am able to apply make-up over it without a problem. Northeastern winters require a trusty daily moisturizer, and I have found that this one fits easily into my hassle-free beauty regimen, while providing the hydration my parched skin needs. I also appreciate that it provides enough sun protection to keep me covered when I am in transit outdoors.