My go-to La Roche-Posay sunscreen is now just £16 on sale

Now that summer’s here, sunscreen is probably on your mind. But the truth is, protecting your skin from the sun is something we should think about all year round. UV rays don’t take a break, even when it’s cloudy or cold. It’s well-known now that wearing sunscreen daily is one of the simplest ways to safeguard your skin, not only from sun damage but also from premature signs of ageing.

A few years ago, I made a conscious decision to incorporate SPF into my everyday skincare routine, and it’s a step I’ve haven’t skipped since. There are so many options out there now, from moisturisers to makeup with built-in SPF, so it can be a bit much deciding which is the right product for your skin at first. But over time, I have found what works for me. My go-to is La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Invisible Fluid. It’s lightweight, easy to wear, and fits well into my routine. Admittedly, it’s not the cheapest, but it does a good job, and for that reason, I’ve stuck with it.

A 50ml SPF50+ will set you back £20 on LookFantastic, Superdrug, and Boots at full price. However, right now, you can get it for £16 at LookFantastic and Boots, and even less at Superdrug (currently £15.98, which is a 20% reduction on the usual price). If you want to stock up, LookFantastic also has a double pack for £30, working out at £15 each for two 50ml bottles. 

One of the main things I noticed about the La Roche-Posay is that it’s not like a typical body sun cream. It’s not thick, sticky, or greasy. It also absorbs into the skin within a minute or two, in my experience. The brand calls it a “lightweight formula”, and that feels accurate. The cream has quite a watery consistency, and even though the bottle has a fine nozzle, it tends to pour out quickly. As a result, I find it easier to apply it straight to my face. That said, you could also pour it into your hand first and apply it with your fingers if that works better for you.

The light consistency also means it doesn’t leave any white marks on my skin, and it soaks in quickly. I don’t have sensitive skin on my face, but the brand says it’s made with sensitive skin in mind. Of course, everyone’s skin is different, but there are a lot of reviews from other users. One shopper on LookFantastic wrote: “No white cast or sore eyes works really well for me.”

Another shared: “I have been using this for ages, and even through my acne journey. I came back to this because it was the one SPF that was compatible with my skin.“

For me, this is a go-to everyday product that I apply after my usual skincare and moisturiser. If I am planning on wearing makeup, I apply the sunscreen first – this isn’t the kind of SPF that works well over foundation. But it also comes in handy on holiday when I want to top up on the go.  

The product is gentle enough to use on children, too, so it is a good all-rounder to pop into your bag when heading to the beach. While I don’t have kids, one shopper left a review saying: “It doesn’t sting my eyes (or my children’s eyes) and doesn’t stain clothes.”

Living up to its name, “invisible fluid”, it absorbs well so that you really can’t tell whether I have sunscreen on or not. While I haven’t noticed any changes to my skin since using the product, I do feel confident that it is protecting me throughout the day. 

Another thing I like is that it doesn’t have a strong smell. It’s not unscented, but to me it has a mild, slightly sweet scent. It’s not the usual holiday sun cream smell but rather a softer scent that I actually quite like. If you’re someone who needs completely unscented products, though, this might not be for you. 

While the product is just 50ml, so smaller than most full-size body suncreams, it’s great for popping into your handbag so you can top up while out and about, and it’s also the perfect size to go in hand luggage when travelling. 

Of course, when the sunscreen isn’t on offer, it can be quite pricey, so I usually try to buy it when there’s a deal, like the current ones at LookFantastic and Superdrug. Some shoppers have also mentioned that the price is their main drawback. In a review on the Boots website, one customer said it’s “a good product, but is a bit too expensive and is so small.”