The expert in sun protection for sensitive skin, LA ROCHE-POSAY, has announced an inspiring partnership – becoming the Official Sunscreen Partner of SKIN CHECK CHAMPIONS (formerly Beard Season), a non-profit charity championing the early detection of skin cancer and melanoma for everyone under the sun.

As Official Sunscreen Partner, LA ROCHE-POSAY will lend its voice to SKIN CHECK CHAMPIONS to help educate Australians on sun protection, assist in raising awareness on the importance of skin checks and support the charity’s new, targeted national skin screening program.

The partnership was unveiled at the new 365+ SUMMER SKIN LAB BY LA ROCHE-POSAY, an engaging sun-safe education hub in vibrant Bondi. The pop-up destination space encourages visitors to discover more on sun protection and the importance of wearing sunscreen every day to protect against harmful UV exposure, sample the skincare brand’s iconic Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ sunscreen range and book in for FREE one-on-one skin check screenings by SKIN CHECK CHAMPIONS.

Commenting on the partnership and the national program that aims to conduct 2,500 free, educational skin checks in 2021, SKIN CHECK CHAMPIONS’ Founding Ambassador and CEO, Jimmy Niggles Esq, said for the past seven years the charity has been running, free, educational pop-up skin check clinics, providing access to skin cancer doctors to those who need them most.

“Every time we set up a skin screening, we save lives, and our goal is to be able to provide this service all around the country, showcasing Australia’s best technology and medical talent to do so. Hopefully we can perfect the model here in Australia, and then bring it to the world, making melanoma history, for everyone under the sun.”

“We’ve always aimed to work with quality, ‘best in class’ partners to bring our vision for a national screening program to life. LA ROCHE-POSAY is underpinned by advanced research and backed by a global medical community, and sum up everything we look for in a partnership. A passionate world-class team, a solid track record of excellence and an inspirational ability to lead by example. From its partnerships with deramtologists and GPs, to the quality of its range developed for sensitive skin, everything La Roche-Posay does has purpose and vision, qualities we are honoured to align on,” said Mr Niggles.

Acclaimed media personality and skin cancer awareness advocate, Deborah Hutton, said SKIN CHECK CHAMPIONS’ national skin screening program will be a life-saving initiative, and something she is proud to support as LA ROCHE-POSAY’s Sun-Safe Ambassador and as a skin cancer survivor.

“Following an infiltrating BCC [Basal cell carcinoma] cancer scare nine years ago I’ve routinely had my skin checked every 12 months. These routine skin checks led to the early detection of my most recent facial skin cancer that was caught just in time, a reminder of the importance of getting your skin checked early and regularly.”

“La Roche-Posay has always partnered with dermatologists, GPs and other healthcare professionals to educate on the importance of sun safety and skin checks, and is now extending its commitment by supporting a charity organisation that not only promotes the importance of sun protection and early detection, but inspires Australians to go and get their skin checked,” said Ms Hutton.

As well as supporting SKIN CHECK CHAMPIONS’ 2021 national skin screening tour that will take leading dermatologists and skin specialists, across Australia, to regions where they’re needed, LA ROCHE-POSAY will also provide 50,000 Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+ sunscreen samples for distribution throughout the tour. The brand is committed to promoting sun-safe practices and educating consumers about the need to apply a highly protective, broad spectrum sunscreen daily, not only during Summer, but throughout the entire year.

Sharing insight on skin checks and sunscreen use in the prevention of skin cancer, leading Australian dermatologist, Dr Cara McDonald from Complete Skin Specialists, recommends that all young adults should try to see an experienced skin doctor or dermatologist for a thorough full-skin examination in their 20s or 30s at the latest.

“A baseline skin examination should include education on sun protection, self-skin monitoring, skin cancer risk and prevention. It has been estimated that 90% of skin cancer can be attributed to the sun. UV light causes direct DNA damage to skin cells that results in cancerous cell mutations and it also harms our body’s defense systems against cancer. Any form of sun protection will reduce the risk of skin cancer, particularly sunscreen which can provide global whole-body protection all day long,” said Dr McDonald.

The SKIN CHECK CHAMPIONS partnership was announced in the lead-up to the public opening of the 365+ SUMMER SKIN LAB BY LA ROCHE-POSAY. The new education hub is anchored by LA ROCHE-POSAY’S 365+ Sun Protection Every Day campaign, geared to raise critical awareness about of the importance of sun protection to maintain healthy
skin. The brand’s official campaign hashtag – #AntheliosEveryDay – reinforces the need to wear a high protection, broad spectrum sunscreen on a daily basis to minimise the onset of harmful skin cancers and the visible signs of ageing.

365+ SUMMER SKIN LAB BY LA-ROCHE-POSAY will be open to the public from Thursday 10th December, Thursday- Sunday each week (closed Monday-Wednesday) until Sunday 31st January, located at 1 Beach Road, Bondi, NSW 2026.