Summer isn't over yet, and if you're looking for an incredible sunscreen, look no further than Avon Anew Solar Advance. As one of Avon's Blogger Ambassadors, I recently had the opportunity to test out two new products from the brand: Anew Solar Advance Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 45 ($34) and Anew Solar Advance Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30 ($34).
The first thing that catches your eye is the sleek, modern packaging and gold coloration, perfectly appropriate for a sunscreen, but also functional - both bottles make it easy to dispense just the right amount of product into your hand.
The second thing you notice about both products is the smooth, silky texture of the product as you squeeze a little bit out and apply it to your skin. For all intensive purposes, it's sunscreen as you know it - that ever so faint "sunscreen" smell, white coloration and let's face it, somewhat greasy consistency (which for my skin at this stage in life is a good thing).
But what distinguishes Solar Advance from other sunscreens, at least in my experience, is the way it leaves your face feeling long after you've applied it and it's been absorbed by your skin. It makes skin look dewy yet doesn't clog pores and your skin maintains its elasticity. Some lotions or sunscreens make your skin feel like it's suffocating, others make it feel moisturized but too squishy (I don't know the technical term for this sensation) but Avon Solar Advance strikes that perfect balance of "I can tell this product is protecting me from the sun without causing mad breakouts later."
I'm not sure if this product is truly waterproof as I haven't been to a beach or pool all summer, sadly, but I've worn the product for hours at a time on long walks in the hot sun and my pale skin did not color at all nor did the product run into my eyes or anything else.
I also can't speak to the "anti-aging" claims made by this product: "Formulated with RepairShield™ Technology. Dramatically reduces the look of wrinkles and visibly diminishes discolorations." I take such claims with a grain of salt. How could I scientifically prove my skin looks better after consistent use of this product? How would I know what my skin would have looked like had I not used the product? Who knows. I'm more concerned with the potential toxicity of certain chemicals in my beauty products, but overall I believe that I would have to have long-term exposure to large quantities of said chemicals to cause serious problems, so I'm not too worried about using Solar Advance during the hottest summer months.
My only qualm with Solar Advance is the price - $34 for 2.6 ounces is pretty steep, so my suggestion would be to get the face lotion and skip the body lotion, as I'm sure you can find other sunscreens that will work just as well. But if you have trouble finding a facial sunscreen that agrees with your skin, Avon may be the way to go. They've totally spoiled me with this freebie and I'll have to pick up another bottle myself when this one runs out, thankfully, a little goes a long way so I don't expect to run out this season.
Avon is one of my lovely sponsors. The products reviewed in this post were given to me free of charge. The decision to write this post and the opinions expressed within are entirely my own.
The second thing you notice about both products is the smooth, silky texture of the product as you squeeze a little bit out and apply it to your skin. For all intensive purposes, it's sunscreen as you know it - that ever so faint "sunscreen" smell, white coloration and let's face it, somewhat greasy consistency (which for my skin at this stage in life is a good thing).
But what distinguishes Solar Advance from other sunscreens, at least in my experience, is the way it leaves your face feeling long after you've applied it and it's been absorbed by your skin. It makes skin look dewy yet doesn't clog pores and your skin maintains its elasticity. Some lotions or sunscreens make your skin feel like it's suffocating, others make it feel moisturized but too squishy (I don't know the technical term for this sensation) but Avon Solar Advance strikes that perfect balance of "I can tell this product is protecting me from the sun without causing mad breakouts later."
I'm not sure if this product is truly waterproof as I haven't been to a beach or pool all summer, sadly, but I've worn the product for hours at a time on long walks in the hot sun and my pale skin did not color at all nor did the product run into my eyes or anything else.
I also can't speak to the "anti-aging" claims made by this product: "Formulated with RepairShield™ Technology. Dramatically reduces the look of wrinkles and visibly diminishes discolorations." I take such claims with a grain of salt. How could I scientifically prove my skin looks better after consistent use of this product? How would I know what my skin would have looked like had I not used the product? Who knows. I'm more concerned with the potential toxicity of certain chemicals in my beauty products, but overall I believe that I would have to have long-term exposure to large quantities of said chemicals to cause serious problems, so I'm not too worried about using Solar Advance during the hottest summer months.
My only qualm with Solar Advance is the price - $34 for 2.6 ounces is pretty steep, so my suggestion would be to get the face lotion and skip the body lotion, as I'm sure you can find other sunscreens that will work just as well. But if you have trouble finding a facial sunscreen that agrees with your skin, Avon may be the way to go. They've totally spoiled me with this freebie and I'll have to pick up another bottle myself when this one runs out, thankfully, a little goes a long way so I don't expect to run out this season.
Avon is one of my lovely sponsors. The products reviewed in this post were given to me free of charge. The decision to write this post and the opinions expressed within are entirely my own.