**UPDATE** The Best Sunscreen. EVER.

A while back, I was reminding/encouraging people to wear sunscreen. I am convinced that wearing sun protection is one the best things one can do for skin health. I have talked about why some sunscreen products are better (or, rather, more effective in certain ways) than others. The past month that fact came to bear in real life.

Some reminder posts... One, Two, and Three. You're welcome!

After using a certain sunscreen for a while, I ran out and wasn't able to replace it right away. I had been using that product consistently for about 2 months when I ran out. I wasn't too bothered at first because I had a backup product that I do like. However, I got a little bothered when I noticed some changes in my skin...

A couple of weeks into using a different product, my skin was drier and kind of irritated, also, I had to re-moisturizer more often. My skin just didn't feel as good as it had been feeling for a while.

Now the reason I wasn't able to replace that better sunscreen was twofold: I was worried about the price and couldn't find a sale. I was really trying to save a Christmas gift card (thank you, lovely family!) for something special but decided that sunscreen was special enough! But it was out of stock everywhere, it seemed. Of course...

That sunscreen is La Roche Posay's Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+. I'd always been able to score some from a seller I like on eBay, but he was out of stock. I don't trust any other eBay sellers for this particular product (and I don't recommend anyone). The only other site I trust is French Pharmacy, but they are out of stock. 

This particular sunscreen is the Euro version so... not that easy to find. You can't even get it on the US LRP site. And why the heck had my skin become so addicted to it???

Anyway.

Turns, out that there may be a reason or two why my skin loves this stuff. I think it has to do with the key (and proprietary) UVMune ingredient: Mexoryl 400 aka “Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate”. Say that even once fast or slow! That is owned by L'Oreal and they developed it with a chemical producer. That's why I couldn't find it in any other products brands.

The backup product was not working out for me because, of course... My skin wasn't happy, so I tried to hunt down the UVMune elsewhere (and maybe on sale). I found it a Le French Skincare - what a name, right? I had never heard of the place. Thankfully, I was able to put my gift card on PayPal (because it was more expensive than French Pharmacy - and being a site new to me, it was best to be careful). I then used one of my own cards via PayPal, so I'd have some purchase protection.  Being broke means you have to be more woke about your spending! By the time I post this, you will know how that transaction turned out!

The good thing is that, even though I didn't get a sale price and had to pay over $38, I know from experience that a single bottle of UVMune will last me at least the next 2 1/2 months (or more of I'm not outside. Also, I will be using a lot less of my regular daily moisturizer. 

For sunscreen this good, I will forgo a little food to keep some on hand. I have enough problems without getting skin cancer...

Anyway, this Mexo400, as I call it, happens to be great for aging and sensitive skin. In addition to working on (don't quote me here) "ultra long UV rays", it kind of protects the skin collagen, pigmentation, and a lot of other stuff I can't explain. 

I suggest these links if you really want to dig in:

• On Wikipedia
• A Reddit "Master post" on UVMune
• And this copy/paste from ChatGPT:

Anyway.

Some folks love saying, "Black don't crack", but I happen to know that it does if you don't take care of it. Anyone can get skin cancer. Don't be arrogant about your health in any way. Get all the exams recommended for prevention, eat better foods if you can find them, love you neighbor, and wear good sunscreen.

Peace

--Free

UPDATE on the purchase:

I have received the item from Le French Skincare and... I'm a little shocked (and very happy) to say that my transaction was completely legit. The name of the site worried me because it is too on-the-nose. However, my item arrived on time and well-packaged. The price is higher (almost $9 more) than at French Pharmacy, but they had it in stock, so... Of course, I will repurchase at FP whenever I can, but it is nice to have a backup site in case of emergencies.

BTW - don't buy LRP sunscreen on eBay unless you have had past transactions with a trusted seller. There are not many out there. Some dead giveaways that your LRP UVMune is fake: 

• The texture & color. The real stuff has a slight color tinge and is a bit watery-thin.
• The bottom of a fake bottle is usually absent some of the info/markings. There are also deviations in some printing and some other bottle features.
• Go here to check yours to see if you got a fake. (Thank you, Reddit!)

It's best to be safe & just order from authorized sellers. Or maybe get a pilot/flight crew friend to shop for you when they travel. I have to find more friends that travel!

**UPDATE** No White Cast Sunscreens (even on dark skin)

 UPDATE 

Since my opinion on sunscreen is limited to the few I've tried, I wanted to provide more sources of information. 

• A dermatologist did a little testing of her own. I love the method she used. Here's a link if you want to avoid YouTube and, of course, the YouTube video.
• There was a scandal about a certain sunscreen recently & an independent consumer product group out of Australian caught it. Listen, if anyone cares about sunscreen, it's our Aussie brothers & sisters! This is their ranking of some other sunscreens they tested. 
• EWG has their 2025 list of sunscreens. I have nothing against them & often use their resources, bit EWG is concerned about products from an environmental perspective.
• Huffpost took a look at whether or not differences between SPF factors matter.  (And do refer back that dermatologist's video...) This was interesting since I try to go for the highest SPF I can.
• BBC took a look at more common myths about sunscreen.
• Last & maybe most helpful, the Skin Cancer Foundation offers up tips for choosing a sunscreen.

When looking into these resources, I did notice variations in the "best of" lists. I am really liking the Hawaiian Tropic I mentioned below. I did get my hands on a sample of the SPF 70 & t's nice on my face which means I would only have to purchase one sunscreen instead of another for my body. I checked the price and it's affordable. It's also moisturizing without being greasy, and it absorbs quickly. 

******

As a dark-skinned woman, I know the struggle of finding a sunscreen that does not leave me looking ashy. There are some sunscreens that I can balance out with foundation, but I rarely wear make up so... Here are some sunscreens I have used on that leave no white cast at all. (There is a link to INCIDecoder for each product if available.)

• Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60+ - Love this one so much that I was subscribed until recently. PROS: moisturizing, fragrance-free & water resistant. It's priced higher than some others & the lid gets messy and gunky after a while if you're not careful. NOTE: Surprised that this was so good after trying the brand's Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70 which does leave a white cast. INCI page
• Black Girl Face & Body Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 - Tried this one and it is awesome. Not as moisturizing as the Neutrogena, but it is good to the skin. It's a good buy for (recently) under $10. If they come out with a higher SPF for a good price, I'm in.  (I can't find it on INCI; it may be too new to be in the database. I will have to submit the info.)
• Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion Sunscreen SPF 70 - This is one I'm trying now. I know it doesn't leave a white cast because I have the SPF 30 that I have always used on my body. I am going to be trying the higher SPF for my face & body. The SPF 30 doesn't bother my face, but I will have to let you know when I try the 70. Pricing was a big factor in trying this to replace the Neutrogena. At around $9 for 8 ounces this is cheaper than the Black Girl and Neutrogena. INCI page
• La Roche Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 SPF50+ Fragrance-Free - If my pockets were deeper, this would be my favorite. My skin loved this when I found some on eBay. Unfortunately, I can't always find it on such a good sale. But, if you can find some, it's good. It is moisturizing and soaks in well. INCI page for all the Anthelios.

I would suggest Walmart's Equate Kids Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50, but unless they have changed, there is no expiration date on them. I used it a few years ago and it was great. I have not tried their Equate Ultra Light Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion for All Skin Tones, SPF 50, but may have take a look. One user provided photo proof of no white cast... It gets pretty good marks for ingredients on INCIDecoder. I will let you know if I pick some up. 

I know there are many others out there, it's just being able to hunt them down. I only included ones that I have tried myself.

Peace

--Free 

DISCLAIMER: I have not been/will not be compensated in anyway for any products mentioned in this post. I do not have any affiliate links in this post.