Skin Care Review: La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL

Rating
Excellent

Benefits
complete sunblock from UVA and UVB rays.

Drawbacks
Not available in US yet.

Details
As a fair- skinned, fair-haired 42 year old with a history of sun damage (I had a large basal cell removed from my chest a few years ago) from overexpoasure in my youth to my early 30's, I'm now a stickler for protecting myself from the sun.

I had a niece visit me in New Jersey from the Midwest this past August, so a trip to the shore was a must. I planned to camp out under the total sun blocking umbrella with a hat, sunglasses and 60 sunblock creme and a good book.

My niece struggled in learning how to ride the body board, so I reluctantly entered the water (and sun) to help her. I had applied La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL sunmilk to my face an hour earlier, and 15 Neutrogena sunscreen to my shoulders and part of my back.

My niece grew bored with the board, and retreated back to our encampment on the beach. I was having such a great time catching the waves, that with childhood abandon, I stayed in the water for over two hours without coming in to reapply sunscreen. BIG MISTAKE!

As we drove back home I felt the pain of the sunburn on my back, shoulders, stomache and upper thighs. I was afraid to look into the rear view mirror for fear that a tomatoe red face would look back. Surprisingly, my face wasn't red at all! My facial freckles from childhood (I was often called Pippi Longstocking because of my freckles and wiry Irish hair) reappeared starkly, but at least I hadn't burned my delicate face or neck. All in all, I would say that the Anthelios XL helped me to save face!

This product contains the ingredient that has been the talk of the magazines and airwaves this past summer-- mexoryl. For some reason, the FDA won't approve it in the US, though this French pharmaceutical company applied for approval nearly 10 years ago. According to several prominent Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons in the NY area (who have been rumored to sell it clandestinely to trusted patients), it is the absolute best sunblock available today--though it isn't actually available in the US. It can be purchased through on-line Canadian pharmacies, though I'm fortunate enough to be a flight attendant making weekly trips to Paris where I purchase mine cheaper than it's offered in Canada.

I am now a regular supplier of this amazing sunscreen to my US-based friends and family!

Conclusions
A true face-saving sunscreen!

Price (paid by reviewer)
$24

Where to find it
Paris, France