La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen

Last quarter of 2016 I was searching high and low to find that one brand of sunscreen that would be my holy grail. And to included in my morning ritual. Sadly in the UAE market we do not have much choices and also all the prices are so unbelievably high. I turned online and ordered some products but while waiting for it I have to use something that is available in the market. So here it is I have chosen La Roche Posay Anthelios Cream SPF50.

La Roche Posay is available only at selected pharmacies like Aster Pharmacy and Boots Pharmacy. Anyway there are quite a few pharmacies across the UAE but what I am trying to say those small ones with one or two branches only does not carry La Roche Posay like the one on the next building from where I am residing. And for this post I have taken quite a few photos to show to you all.

Out of all the sunscreens I own and currently using this is the most expensive as one tube of 50GMS cost 130.00AED and it is not everyday that pharmacies are having promotion. For example Aster Pharmacy for 2016 had a promotion only on February and December. Easy for me to know as I always see one branch near me. And I made a lot of purchase back in February 2016 when I was not yet starting pulling my life together (decluttering).

Moment of Truth:
I will not repurchase. Yes this is cream that is quite moisturizing. Yes there are no white streaks. The thing is if I haven't experienced using a Japanese sunscreen then I would be completely okay with La Roche Posay as I do not have much choices here in the UAE. But after experiencing other Japanese sunscreens I came to compare and choose which one works best for me. I like La Roche Posay for being alcohol free. Some like La Roche Posay for being paraben free. 

But the main concern for me when using La Roche Posay Anthelios Cream is it tends to turn up into balls and flakes in my face. It is quite selfish that when I apply it on my face I should not apply anything else which is not possible. I mean I also have to apply my serum, lotion, moisturizer, primer and make up. (I will give up make up as soon as I finish whatever I have doing Pan Project with them right now. While not buying anything new. In fact I vowed never to purchase make up again ever. But I won't give up my skin care products). It has a tendency to be heavy on the face if I were to follow the 1 teaspoon rule for all over the face. It says to be waterproof but I am not sure if this is sweat free as well. Here's the photo of the cream. Looks thick eh?

I am currently using it on my body. As of the body it has no issues. In fact when I am using it on my hands I can apply hand cream as well and it won't turn into balls. It will not get flaky. Do you notice in the next photo it is quite oily? So imagine it in my face. I do not have an oily face except for the nose. So when using it on the face I have to keep on applying a face powder. 

So that's all for La Roche Posay. But I still love their moisturizers. I stopped buying because of the price. Plus my favorite Anthelios KA SPF100 has been discontinued. I was ready to repurchase a few months back in spite of the high price but I have never seen one in any pharmacies I visited.

'Always wear a sunscreen and wash off your make up at night'

Current Sunscreens ☀️

Don't get me wrong as I am still advocating for minimalist and frugal lifestyle. This kind of lifestyle meaning you will consume less as you will need less products. You will only be sticking to the basics in life. And so then if I am aiming for that kind of lifestyle why the heck do I have 4 sunscreens at the same time? Well because (1) time and experiences has proven to me that a sunscreen is the best anti ageing one could use and (2) Asian skin especially Filipinos with brown skin as we grow old our main skin concern would be having uneven skin tone. I cannot turn back the time and make the sun spots on my face go away but then I can now prevent them in spreading. Also to other parts of my body. (3) I'm trying different brands to see which one will suite me perfectly depending on my needs. So here are my current sunscreens and my mini review.

📍 Loreal UV Perfect PA+++ ~ I got this last year when I was still in the hoarding phase of my life. I do not even know back then that it is a sunscreen. I only realized later. I'm trying to think of something negative about it but I can't think of any, except that it is not waterproof. This is especially made for Asians and manufactured in Indonesia. I believe that in other parts of Asia they have it in waterproof version. There are at least 5 variants but only 1 made it to the UAE market. No idea if they plan on bringing in the others. I will continue the good points of it next.

 

📍 Loreal UV Perfect PA++++ ~ My other Loreal sunscreen was about to finish and so when I was doing a grocery at Safeer Hypermarket a day after Christmas I saw this one and this is the new version so I bought it. Now the good points of Loreal UV Perfect: First it is available in my area I just need to cross the street. Second this is the cheapest. Actually if you are in Safeer Hypermarket you will notice that this is the only brand of sunscreen they have. The amount is no more than 50AED and if may still be expensive but if you will compare it to other brands in the UAE market then you could say that so far this is the most affordable. No white cast. Not greasy. Sinks in to the skin easily. Compatible with all the other skin products and make up that I am using.

 

📍 La Roche Posay Anthelios Cream ~ The most expensive sunscreen I own. I don't think I will repurchase any sunscreen from this line anytime soon. This is the thickest of them all. It is slightly greasy if compared to Loreal UV Perfect and Muji. It sinks to skin easily but then it has a tendency to ball up. It is not compatible with some skin care products I am using as well as make up. So I'm just using it for my neck and the rest of my body. And before I forget to mention this is waterproof. Perfect for swimming. As when you go on swimming you will not need make up and other skin care products on the face. 

 

📍 Shiseido Senka Mineral Water UV ~ This is the most affordable sunscreen I got if you will not include the shipping fee. I bought it online from Desert Cart. This is the lightest of them all. Just like a milk. And this waterproof as well. Loreal 2016 may have a higher PA than this but I like it better as it gives off a matte finish. And faster to sink in than Loreal that I can apply immediately my moisturizer and makeup.

 

I am bringing them all with me so I can reapply through out the day. And I don't mind bringing them all since they are all light. I would have wanted to rant more about the sunscreens in the UAE market but then that would be for some other time as I have to go now. Ciao!

Morning Skin Care Routine 🌝

 💕 Point Cleansing Foam
 💕 Skinfood Peach Sake Pore Serum
 💕 Loreal Anti Ageing Serum
 💕 The Face Shop Calendulla Serum
 💕 La Roche Posay Anthelios Cream Sunscreen
 💕 Daiso BB Cream
Point Cleansing Foam is not in the photo but I included it in the list to state that it is a must to clean first the face with facial cleanser and water before anything else. And I wear make up only once in a blue moon.

Evening Skin Care Routine 💕

 💕 La Roche Posay Micelle Solution
 💕 La Roche Posay Physiological Soothing Toner
 💕 The Face Shop Mango Seed Oil Foam Cleanser
 💕 Muji Moist Essence Lotion
 💕 Muji Medicated Whitening Milk
 💕 Hanadomy Collagen Lotion
 💕 Skin Food Tomato Whitening Emulsion
 💕 Skin Food Peach Pore Sake Serum
 💕 Hanadomy Collagen Cream
The Face Shop Mango Seed Oil to Foam 2 in 1 cleanser is not included in the photo but I included it in the list for the reason that, I believe no matter how good the make up remover is we should never, ever skip washing our face with water and cleanser. No excuses. I can't imagine applying all those layers of skin products in our face without cleansing it with water first. It will never work, at least for me. 

'Beautiful make up starts with beautiful skin' - Shu Uemura

Morning ritual since January ⭐☀︎

When 2014 came I hoarded skin care products. Because that was the year I decided to fight off the white heads on my nose. Take care of my skin. And try to banish then sun spots that appeared on my face due to me not taking care of my skin properly. After skin care products I got a bit addicted too with Korean Make Up. Hoping I would have the same skin like them in the process. Then lucky for me whatever obsession I am having does not last long. Especially if I don't see any improvements. Or the improvements are minimal. And so come 2016 because of those obsessions and experiments here I am with lot of stash at every corner of the room and a huge dent on my back account.

That's when I started my so called 'Pan Project', a term I got from Instagram users where they are finishing off whatever products they have. And they are on a no buy stage. And posting their empties as to track down their progress. Except for me I don't post it in Instagram. I write it here on my online diary. In the long run aside from saving money and not wasting products it is also uncluttering of my tiny space. I'm also trying to reach some level of minimalism in my life. I want to go back in owning less. Just like the way it was when I came here to UAE a decade ago. To be able to finish off my stash I had been religiously using them at the start of January. I'm leaving them at work. So in the morning I really have to get up of my seat and put them on my face. Here are the products that I'm trying to finish:

There are times that I am not in the mood and I wanted to shout and throw them all. But of course I can't as that would mean losing my cool and wasting my hard earned money. Anyway let's start shall we? And mind you this is another post with photos overload. I have taken a few minutes over lunch to take this photos. Muji Sunscreen SPF40 is the first product that goes to my face every morning. This is to protect my skin against the sun. I cannot undo the sun spots on my face but at least now I can control them from spreading.

After the sunscreen the next product that goes to my face every morning is the La Roche Posay Hydraphase Moisturizer. It does not have an SPF because if it has I would not mind skipping the sunscreen. This is one of the best moisturizers I ever tried. But very expensive. And it is taking me forever to finish this one. But since January this is already the second moisturizer I'm using. I managed to finish one La Roche Posay bottle. I like that one better because that one has an SPF. I think that post will be on my Empty Bottle post. 

And after moisturizer the third product is Essence All About Matt! Oil control make up base. The only oily part of my face is the nose. And to be honest I don't feel the need to use it anymore. I just got excited during the time that I was making an Essence haul. And I got greedy that I purchased all the stocks of it that I have seen in Exquisite Ajman. So now even if I don't need it anymore I am still using just because I don't want to throw it away. 

Alternately I am using this Innisfree Smart Makeup Blender because I'm trying to finish it off too. I purchased it last February 2015 during the time that I was still crazy over Korean make up. I don't like it then and I don't like it now. And as I have repeatedly saying I'm using these products just to avoid throwing them. And because I'm not really enjoying it, I don't find it fun. Really.

And after the make up base, I'm using Skinfood Peach Sake BB Cream. Well this is a good BB Cream. Skinfood is a good South Korean brand. I love it. But I don't love putting on a BB Cream on daily basis. I purchased this at the time that I thought there is still a solution for my whiteheads on the nose. Or I can at least try to conceal them if there are any during that day. But to no avail.

Alternately I am using another Korean brand of BB Cream called Missha. This is another good brand as the coverage is good. Sometimes I am even combining the two bb creams just to finish them off immediately but I think it will take another year. Because I just need a little dab for the whole face. I think now I should start using them on weekends too. To finish them as quickly as possible.

And after the bb cream/s I am applying make up. But my make up is very minimal and simple. I am currently using Une Eyeshadow and Une Cream Blush. I have known this brand since January 2015. And yes it has been a year since I purchased them and until now I haven't finish them off. Because somewhere in between I got attracted with other blush ons. And I rarely use eyeshadow. It is just a waste of money for me. And may this post remind me to stay away from make up for good. For life. Forever.

After eyeshadow and blush on here comes the Essence Soo Glow Highlighter. I purchased it last year during the time when strobbing was the thing. This is a good product but this is not my thing. I also have this in white. Which I haven't touch yet and it will be one year since I purchased them. I will be handing it over to my sister. Maybe she might want it and finish it off for me. As I'm really done with it. I had been putting on make up since January that sometimes I feel like I'm going to go crazy at the thought of having to wear make up as long as I live!

Last touch would be the lipstick. The Une lipstick was a purchase from January 2015. And after more than a year I haven't finish it yet. I'm going crazy trying to finish it off. Imagine me having a retouch every hour. At least I learned a lesson out of this all. 

As of using the skin care products like the sunscreen and moisturizer I don't have any issues as I believe it is a must. I have tried living without them but what happened to my skin? I got sun spots. And my face became as dry as the desert. But as of the make up? Since I never really was the make up person I am no longer enjoying it. Especially the part when I got home and I have to remove them all from my face. Thinking about the 'time' I'm spending removing them. PLUS the money I spent in buying make up remover. May it be my last batch of make up..

Empty Bottle 10: Corine De Farme Hand Cream ♚

Wow I am already in my 10th product in my de-cluttering project posts. As I have said if I will do it on every day basis then probably at the end of this year the room will be totally mess free. And as of hand creams I do not know anymore how many brands I've used in the past. My hands are always dry no matter what is the season. Although nowadays I don't buy any hand creams and it is another long story.

Corine De Farme

Hand Cream

Price: 13.00AED
Made in France

Purchased in Carrefour

I'll end this post quick. Corine De Farme's selling point is their products are made of organic ingredients. Perfect for those people who are using organic products only. So far I can't think of any cons with any Corine De Farme products I tried. Some are expensive while some are affordable. But this hand cream is not always available in Carrefour. I would not mind repurchasing again in the future once I am done with all the products I currently own. That's all. Thanks for dropping by. Till next time ☺

Empty Bottle 8: Corine De Farme Wash ♚

Corine De Farme

Body and Intimate Care Wash

Price: 16.00AED
Made in France

Corine de Farme is a French brand of budget cosmetics and available in Carrefour across the UAE. One of their products that I tried was Corine de Farme Body and Intimate Wash. In short this is a body wash and women can also use it in their intimate areas. Only women uses feminine wash so I would assume the target market for this product are women.

 

The selling point of all Corine de Farme products are it is said to made of organic ingredients. So it is perfect for those people who uses only organic products but at the same time budget conscious.

 

It smells good but I did not use it as body wash but only as a feminine wash not because I don't want to but because that time I was trying to finish off at least 3 opened bottles of body washes in the bathroom. I would not mind purchasing this again, that is if I will finish all my stocks right now. At least it is another bottle down with my own 'Pan Project' or operation declutter the room.

That's all for now.

Thanks for dropping by.

Go ahead and try Corine de Farme and you would not regret it.

La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Riche

La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Riche

Price: 110.00 AED @ Aster Pharmacy

Made in France

Ingredients:Water, Glycerin, Shea Butter, Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Liquidum / Mineral Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Urea, Glyceryl Linoleate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glyceryl Linolenate, Glyceryl Oleate, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance



This is my favorite La Roche Posay product. The La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Riche. Although it doesn't contain SPF that is perfectly fine with me as I am already used to using a sunscreen every morning. And since it doesn't contain SPF meaning I can also use it at night as my night cream. I love the it comes with a pump which makes it easier to use. 

First La Roche Posay Products I Tried

These are the first batch of La Roche Posay products that I tried. Just like the other brands La Roche Posay is also a hit and miss for me. Some are good, some are better to skip. The Pigmentclar Serum and Pigmentclar Eye Cream didn't really work wonders on me. But I am quite happy with the Hydraphase Intense Riche. So out of the 3 products this is what I will consider repurchasing in the future once they go on sale again. That's all for now. Thanks for dropping by.

First French Brands Of Skin Care Products I Tried

In the UAE Market I don't think commercials and the likes are not much necessary or they don't need very popular figures as a lot of consumers like me doesn't depend on them to decide which products to buy/try. I don't even watch TV or listen to the radio to see/hear advertisements. So how do I wind up with different products/brands like this? By spending time in the malls looking around. By reading blogs and forums. From the word of the mouth. After finding and loving Bioderma Micelle Solution then I started searching for other French Skin Care Products. Avene and La Roche Posay are quite popular. Last year was the start of my quest for skin care products and make up. To be honest, French brands are expensive for me. But I shelled out a fortune anyway. I wouldn't know if I didn't try right? Out of the four products in the photo my vote goes to Eau Thermale Avene Gentle Toner then La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Riche. But the only way I will purchase them again is if they will be on sale. It's 2015 and a lot of drugstore brands are available at much more affordable prices. 

La Roche Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream

La Roche Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream

Price: 65.00 AED at Aster Pharmacy
Made in France

Isn't it obvious by now that this is my favorite brand? La Roche Posay. I always have dry and flaky hands that's why I cant live without hand creams. Over the years I have tried so many affordable hand creams that I can find in Carrefour. And when I say affordable means the price is below 20AED. But sadly none of them are long lasting. Meaning I keep on using them the whole day. Often than I apply lip gloss on my lips. This made me try a brand from Pharmacy. This is not the first hand cream I purchased from La Roche Posay which requires another post some other time.

Here's the list of ingredients for those who wants to know. And currently the pharmacy is having a promo of buy 2 products from the same brand, you'll get the 3rd product for free. I grabbed this opportunity so right now I have 3 stocks of this wonderful hand cream. Comparing to the other brands I used in the past and I can say that yes this is the best so far.

This comes with a leaflet inside the box which I will read later. Anyways, as the box says this cream is design for 'damaged' hands which means my hands I guess. Is there any other way to describe my hands? It looks like a gel as seen in the photo below:

It doesn't contain any scent which is fine with me. And absorbs by the skin fast and colorless as seen in the photo below. Will I purchase again? Yes if it is on sale or promo. Otherwise I will still look for a cheaper alternative, if I will find one.

Hope this post helps. Ciao!

La Roche Posay Anthelios KA SPF 100

La Roche Posay Anthelios KA SPF 100
Price: 110.00 AED at Aster Pharmacy
Made in France

The reason why I am avoiding as much as possible visiting to a pharmacy is whenever I visit I always end up buying something. Even though I say to myself that I just want to 'check' something. I end up 'buying' something. But no regrets with my recent visit as the pharmacy is having a promo. I bought 2 La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo and I got this La Roche Posay Anthelios KA SPF 100 for FREE. Another day cream moisturizer to try!

I like it for being creamy. Well I am not good in writing so I am not sure if I should even use the word 'creamy' as all the moisturizers are supposed to be 'creamy'. As well as the other creams/lotions I am using. Let me try again, I like it for being thick and rich! Just a small amount is enough for the whole face. No strong scent. And just like the other La Roche Posay products this is also Paraben Free. I think all their products are.

Now what I don't like about it is this contains Alcohol Denat. I'm not getting any younger so do my skin so as much as possible I try to avoid products with this kind of alcohol to prevent drying of my skin especially on summer!

The list of ingredients for those who wants to know:
Sorry for the bad lighting though!

Easy to use pump:

That's all for now.. Ciao!!!!

UPDATE AS OF 27TH FEBRUARY 2015:

It has been months since I purchased this and it is not yet finished. As this is designed for day time cream only. When I first got this product I was hesitant just because it has an Alcohol Denat. But even if it contains alcohol I can tell that it is not drying on the skin. I don't think it is causing my skin any harm. Besides before applying it on my face I am using a sunscreen and a serum. This is in fact a good product from La Roche Posay and in spite of the price it is worth it. One bottle will last a long time. Maybe for a year? That's all for now. Thank you for dropping by.

La Roche Posay Pigmentclar Serum

La Roche Posay Pigmentclat Serum
Price: 240.00 AED at Aster Pharmacy
Made in France


Here's the list of ingredients:
Honestly, I am bit disappointed when I see Alcohol Denat. But then I am not so sure if all serums Alcohol Denat is a must. I haven't done any research on that.

Front bottle of the serum. Stating the country of origin. I am a bit into French skin care products as they are easier to find here than the Asian skin care products. Even though they are not on the 'affordable' side. But at least sometimes they are on promo or I can ask a discount from the staff up to 10% which isn't bad than nothing at all.

This is my first serum. I am not into serums before and I don't even know their existence until recently. The staff at the pharmacy noticed that I have black little spots at both cheeks. They were not there before when I was younger and I wonder why I got them? The lady explained to me that this is due to sun and aging plus the fact that I don't wear sunscreen or sunblock. She suggested this product to me La Roche Posay Pigmentclar Serum. I was hesitant to get it at first due to it's price. Come on, anything more than 100AED and my pocket is already crying so how much more if the price is more than 200AED?

Still I ended up buying the product in spite of the price. Why? How can I not believe the lady who offered it to me when she has a very good and smooth skin? She told me that those customers with worst spots than mine are also using it. And she will give me a discount. I guess what really convinced me was because the lady has a good skin. She suggested that I use only at night. And it will take a long time before I finish the bottle.

It has been 6 weeks since I added this serum to my routine and I am using it twice a day. I wish I have taken photos but taking a selfie is not my thing. After 6 weeks my black spots are now lighter. I am not completely sure if I will wake up one day and those black spots are all gone. It that happens then I'll just update this blog.

The bottle has a pump. Turn it to right if you will use it then back to the left once you are done. I'll decide if I will continue using serum once I finish this bottle as the market offers so many serum for different skin problems.

Ciao!


UPDATE AS OF 05TH FEBRUARY 2015:

I finished this bottle in 3 months. Results? I don't have a before and after photos of my cheeks with sun spots but I can say that somehow they were lighter than before. But other than that, no further development. Maybe that is the best this product can do. To lighten the spots but not really to magically make then disappear for good. Maybe, there isn't such a product in the world that will make those spots vanish. For that reason I will not repurchase as this product doesn't come cheap especially in UAE. And I haven't seen any promos in the pharmacies around. Once I have the budget I will try another brand for the LAST TIME while reading articles again about sun spots. Could it be that once you have them the only way to remove it would be through surgery only? It doesn't bother be big time but then I am just a curious woman. Just one more product then I am done. After that and I still have them, then let it be..

La Roche Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream

La Roche Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream
Price: 180.00 AED at Aster Pharmacy
Made in France

While I was on the Pharmacy, the staff asked me what I was looking for. I answered just an eye cream. Again she asked me for what purpose? Puffiness? Against tired eyes? (whatever that means) For dark circles? I can’t remember exactly all the terms she used. Since I don’t really have an idea about eye creams I just answered for dark circles.

So when I got home I looked closely into the mirror to realize that dark under eyes is not my problem at all. I should have asked for an anti-aging eye cream instead. But anyways, I am too lazy to go back and change the purchase I made I just use the product. I’ll just buy an anti-aging eye cream later.  As I am dying to try it out also.

It has been more than a month since I started using La Roche Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream and honestly, I can’t say that it whitened my skin. BUT it made my skin moisturized and hydrated. That’s enough for me as my skin used to be dry to the point that I don’t want to use any products on it as it will just build up like a lump on my face.

I am using it religiously every morning and evening after cleaning my face. The only problem I have about this product is the price. I find it too pricey. Not just this one but everything from La Roche Posay. But then again is there something that is not expensive here in UAE? If end of this month my budget will allow me to do so I might go ahead and purchase the anti-aging cream while the Aster Pharmacy still have the promo of buy 2 products get the 3^rd product for free!

Ingredients of La Roche Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream.

 

Ciao!