Sampar 3 Day Weekend

The face moisturiser has a gel like consistency and is absorbed quickly into the skin. I love that once applied after about a minute you cannot feel the product on your skin. The body lotion too works in a similar way but has the consistency of a normal body lotion.

Now this kit is aimed at users who want to gain a natural tanned look without spending time in the sun or those who don't want to use self-tanners or makeup to enhance their colour. The product achieves this by stimulating the production of melanin in the skin while protecting your skin from sun damage.

The results are somewhat noticeable after 1 week of continuous use (applying each morning to a freshly washed face and body). I looked a bit more 'healthy" because I have very pale skin because I avoid the sun at most costs. Over time I have noticed that I have more of a glow to my skin but I wouldn't say that I look like I have been sitting in a tanning bed. So this is definitely not meant to replace tanning (in all forms).

Personally I really have loved using this cream because it is so light on my skin and with it being summer I prefer lighter moisturisers that don't make my skin sweaty or greasy looking.

The face moisturiser and body lotion each retail for R395 at Edgars stores.

I was lucky enough to be given Sampar 3-day weekend hydrating facial gel and body milk just as I was running low on moisturiser. As a moisturiser 3 Day Weekend works fine and a little goes a long way. But the manufacturer claims it “moisturises and gives a hint of a tan” as “the fresh and moisturising gel stimulates the skin’s natural melanin, pigment necessary for tanning, for sunkissed skin without sun, self-tanners or make-up all year long”. I have pretty fair skin but it does not take much sun for my skin to darken so though I would not expect this product to give me a ‘full on tan’ I would expect to see some appreciable difference. Alas after 2 weeks of using the moisturising gel I had not noticed any.

My feeling towards the body milk is pretty much the same as for the facial gel: it’s a decent moisturiser but I do not perceive a change in skin tone, not even a hint of a tan.

So I came to the conclusion that the Sampar 3 Day Weekend products are on par with other daily moisturisers I have tried. These products may offer some protection from the sun with the SSP (Smart Sun Protection) though I doubt this is any better than any other day moisturiser with some degree of SPF protection. I would use a dedicated sunscreen in addition to any of these products before I spent prolonged periods in the sun.

At R 395 for 50 ml of the facial hydrating gel or 125 ml of the body milk I do not think it is worth it and would not purchase either.