By Kimberly Caines
Review Time! Rodan + Fields

Hi BFFs, as you might know, I am originally from Holland (Europe) where I was born and raised. While living in Holland, the weather was mostly overcast and let's just say we had more rainy days than sunny ones. Needless to say, I had a bad hair day EVERYDAY!!! The thought of sun protection hardly ever came to mind, which I now know was a mistake, because even on cloudy days when there is no sun, there are still damaging UV rays coming through. Fast forward to today… I’m living in the super sunny California where temperatures are often in the three digits and umbrellas are used as a sunshield instead of the rain shield that I was so used to. The good news -- Bad hair days are a thing of the past. The bad news -- the sun and its damaging rays have no mercy. To top it off, the Hollywood industry that I frolic around in puts heavy pressure and emphasis on appearance. There are many women who neglected on protecting themselves from the sun and now look twice their age. Desperately they resort to Botox, facelifts and other plastic surgery measures that often are obvious and unflattering. I won’t name names, but I’m sure you’ve seen them in magazines.
Some facts provided by the Skin Cancer Foundation that make you think twice about skipping sunscreen:
Ultraviolet rays are a proven human carcinogen
Every 52 minutes someone dies of skin cancer
About 90% of aging skin is caused by the sun
People who apply a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher daily, show 24% less skin aging than people who don’t.
Those who first use a tanning bed before age 35 have a 75% risk of developing skin cancer.
When Chris Remler approached about trying some of Rodan + Fields’ products I initially didn’t think I would do it, because of skin issues (acne) I had in the past. I tend to go by what my dermatologist recommends. However, after browsing through their products online, I noticed that they were developed by two female dermatologists (Dr. Katie Rodan & Dr. Kathy Fields) who were also the masterminds behind Pro-active. Then, I noticed they had some sunscreen products. I had been looking for a good sunscreen for my face for a while now. The ones I used in the past, all left my skin greasy, making me have to constantly apply powder to eliminate the oil slick that my face had become. I picked some SPF products from the site to try and review. Here are my findings:

Rodan + Fields Reverse - Broad Spectrum SPF50+ Sunscreen
This sunscreen comes in a 50 mL tube and lists Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 2.6% as its active ingredients. It’s supposed to reduce the appearance of discoloration, brown spots and dullness while providing protection from the sun’s damaging rays and decelerating the signs of photo aging over time. I used a dime-size amount of this cream every morning for about three weeks. I applied it after washing my face in the morning, before applying any other lotions and makeup to my face. I instantly noticed that my skin looked brighter, which must be because of the licorice extract and mulberry in the product. The scent, which reminds me of flowers and citrus, also very mild compared to other sunscreens I’ve tried. After applying it, the scent completely fades and skin appears matte (not greasy at all). I was extremely happy with this, since it formed the perfect base for my makeup. I’m hooked on this product, and will have to order myself another tube soon since I'm running out quickly.

Rodan + Fields Essentials – Lip Shield – SPF 25
Lips are often overlooked when it comes to sunscreen, but just like skin, they need to be protected. Lip Shield comes in a pack of two tubes of .15 oz. It lists Avobenzone 2.5%, Homosalate 8%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 2.2% as its active ingredients and also helps to reduce your risk of skin cancer and early aging. The first thing I noticed when opening a tube was the very noticeable smell which reminded me of honey and bees for some reason. It might have been the shea butter, sunflower seed oil and avocado that I was smelling, which are meant to moisturize lips and keep them hydrated. Lip Shield did what it said; it hydrated my lips and made them appear smooth. There was no thick layer of product, so I could easily put on lipstick or gloss over it. The only issue I seem to have is that I forget to apply the product in the morning. Unlike the facial sunscreen, which is part of my daily regimen, I tend to forget about my lips. I made it a point to place Lip Shield in my eyesight in the bathroom so I don’t forget to apply it.

Rodan + Fields Redefine – Age Shield hand Balm – SPF 30
Just like your neck, your hands often quickly give away your age. That’s because we often neglect to protect them from sun damage. Older people’s hands often appear crepey and have discoloration and sun spots because they neglected to protect them. Think about it, your hands are always exposed to the sun. Mine mainly see the sun while driving in my car, which I do daily. Just for this reason, I was happy to try the Age Shield Hand Balm by Rodan + Fields with active ingredients Avobenzone 3.0%, Homosalate 2.5%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 2.7%. Initially, I thought it would be a hand cream or lotion, but to my surprise, the product came in a 1.0 oz. stick form. I applied it every morning to the backs of my hands and fingers before getting in my car. It has a similar strong scent as Lip Shield, which fades quickly. Just the thought of having that extra protection made it worth it for me to continue to apply it. I started keeping the stick in my car just so I wouldn’t forget to apply it before driving off.

Conclusion:
I liked all three products I tried, but am especially fond of the facial sunscreen, which I will continue to use daily. I recommend this product to anyone looking for a good sunscreen that’s like an invisible, unnoticeable shield on your skin. Keep in mind BFFs, this is my personal opinion. I tell it like it is. If you’re not fond of strong-smelling products, the Lip Shield and Hand Balm might not be for you. Although after applying them, the scent quickly disappears.
About Chris Remler / Rodan + Fields:
Chris Remler is a consultant for Rodan + Fields. She approached me about trying the products when I first started my social media accounts. Initially I was hesitant, but after choosing these three products, I was happy to try and review them. (I love discovering little treasures in the products I try). Rodan + Fields have a whole selection of products that compliment and treat many different skin types and conditions. If you are interested in purchasing these or any other Rodan + Fields products, or if you have questions about the products, you can contact Chris on Instagram at @skincarebizowner. You can also connect with her by going to her website, where you can also read more about the different products. To do so, click here.
Are you currently using a sunscreen? Are you using Rodan + Fields products? Let me know your findings in the comments below. I am eager to read them. xo
FTC DISCLAIMER: This post is sponsored by Chris Remler. All items were provided to me complimentary for testing and review purposes. As always all opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.