Most Liked Positive Review

Excellent sunscreen

I seldom write reviews, but I wanted to say I am very pleased with the re-formulation of this sunscreen. UVA radiation is immunosuppressive, causes premature aging, contributes to persistent hyperpigmentation, and can exacerbate certain skin diseases. With the re-formulation, this sunscreen now offe...rs some of the best UVA protection in the canadian market (along with another product from a different brand with a high PPD). It is fragrance-free, which is one of the most important features of sunscreens (and most other skin products). Although it has removed Mexoryl SX, it has added other UVA filters that ultimately improve the UVA protection. Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL are both broad-spectrum filters, but they are slightly different: the former's coverage of UVA1 is more efficient than its coverage of UVB/UVA2, whereas the latter's coverage of UVB/UVA2 is on par with its coverage of UVA1. Mexoryl SX is overall a more efficient filter than Mexoryl XL at UVA1, however, La Roche-Posay replaced 2% SX with 7% XL. Ultimately this results in better UVA1 coverage, and higher UVB/UVA2 coverage from Mexoryl. Furthermore, bemotrizinol, or Tinosorb S (at a very good concentration of 5%), is another broad-spectrum filter, that offers exceptional UVA1, UVA2, and UVB protection. It should be noted that its UVA1 coverage is essentially equivalent to the UVA1 coverage of Mexoryl SX, so the new formula has 2 UVA1 filters, in addition to avobenzone, at very effective concentrations. These 2 filters also stabilise avobenzone, and so LRP was able to also remove oxybenzone, which is the common culprit of eye-stinging in sunscreens, without compromising the stability of avobenzone. It is still important to keep avobenzone in the formulation because it is effective against very broad UVA1 (greater than 380 nm), which is an area that Mexoryl and Tinosorb S start to lose effectiveness. Despite the alcohol, the vehicle is not drying and is quite moisturising. They were also able to decrease the overall amount of sunscreen filters in the formulation (by replacing some of the homosalate with ensulizole, which is a very light-weight filter), while simultaneously improving the UVA protection. This makes the formula even more tolerable for sensitive skin While LRP does not divulge the PPD of this particular formulation, the new canadian formulation is very similar to the french Shaka fluide (which has a PPD 46), so I can only postulate that the PPD of this product is also quite impressive. It is not too shiny, but I believe if one has oily skin, the face may become dewy with frequent re-application (sunscreen should be applied more than once a day, every day). Unfortunately, this is common with water-resistant sunscreens, but its water resistance is good in terms of offering longer-lasting UV protection. I wish there were more formulations with Tinosorb S/M in the canadian market (there are a handful of others, but they unfortunately include fragrance). Hopefully I will not have to wait too long to see that happen! Regardless, I am very happy LRP decided to release this wonderful product.