Beauty news: La Roche-Posay releases Anthelios UVMUNE 400, just in time for summer

One of the best skincare brands on the block according to Vogue, Allure and Harper’s Bazaar magazine – along with many others – is France’s La Roche-Posay. Having French ancestry and having spent a lot of time in France over the last few decades I’m a shameless lover of French pharmacy brands, and one of the top things on my to-do list after arriving in France was always to get my hands on some La Roche-Posay of my own before it was available in New Zealand. I did that for the first time in the little mountain town of Lectoure, where it held pride of place in the local pharmacy next to other top notch French beauty stars that are equally as kind on the wallet. The first product I grabbed was Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid SPF50+, which Allure had just named the best facial sunblock on the market at the time, and I never looked back.
Fast forward fifteen years or so since that day in Lectoure and I get word that one of the all-time sunscreen legends has been levelled up - La Roche-Posay, the world’s #1 dermatologist-recommended skincare brand and #1 selling sunscreen brand in New Zealand pharmacies, is taking sun protection to the next level in New Zealand with the launch of Anthelios UVMUNE 400.

So what’s new?
The result of no less than 10 years of research, this innovative new sunscreen range introduces the iconic French brand’s most advanced UV filter technology to date, providing ultra-broad-spectrum protection against even the most insidious UVA and UVB rays.
UVMune 400, which is a new generation of filter powered by the multi-patented Mexoryl 400 and represents a significant advancement in sun protection, delivering enhanced protection and quality. The key improvement in UVMune 400 is its ability to protect against the damaging effects of longer-wavelength UVA rays (from 380 nanometres onward), which penetrate deeply into the skin. These rays are a primary contributor to visible signs of ageing and, along with other UVA and UVB rays, play a role in the development of skin cancer. These longer-wavelength UVA rays represent a frightening 30 percent of the UV spectrum, and cause deep cell damage.
New Zealand dermatologist Dr Monique MacKenzie says about the range, “This new innovative filter and technology from La Roche-Posay developed after many years research is a significant milestone for sun protection in Aotearoa. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers in the world and ensuring people in New Zealand are protected from our harsh UV rays is extremely important”.
“As the newest formula sunscreen to arrive in New Zealand, I am excited to recommend UVMune 400 to my patients which will for the first time provide additional cover against long ray UVA sun light (UVA1)”.

What does this mean for me?
La Roche-Posay’s iconic best seller, Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ will now be upgraded to Anthelios UVMune 400, incorporating this enhanced protection without compromising its beloved sensorial experience. Like the original Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+, UVMune 400 will also have La Roche-Posay’s Netlock Technology which uses micro droplets to combine and form a strong, homogeneous, non-migrating and very resistant protection. This formulation still provides the same ultra-light, non-greasy, invisible finish that blends seamlessly into all skin tones, but now will provide even better protection against long, damaging UV rays. The La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 filter also now goes beyond the Invisible Fluid, offering tailored protection to suit diverse needs and including two new products safe for children. All products are non-comedogenic and suitable for use on eczema-prone skin and sensitive skin, which as someone very familiar with both gets a major tick from me.

Just in time for summer and definitely a reason to celebrate – merci La Roche-Posay and welcome UVMune 400!