La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Imperfection Sun Cream SPF50+
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 9 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-agingZinc pca, Tocopherol + 1 moreStrong evidence
“Anthelios Anti-Imperfection Sun Cream SPF50+”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acid, NiacinamideStrong evidence
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Zinc pca, Glycerin + 7 moreGood evidence
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, zinc pca.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy19 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide~30–36%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideTriethanolamine~9.4–11.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~5.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateXanthan gum~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumZinc pca~3.4–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaWater~2.7–3.2%
Homosalate~2.7–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateSilica~2–2.5%
Octocrylene~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneEthylhexyl salicylate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl triazone~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineNiacinamide~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideDrometrizole trisiloxane~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Mexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yet
More about Drometrizole trisiloxaneGlycerin~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPentylene glycol~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolDicaprylyl ether~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherAluminum starch octenylsuccinate~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateStyrene/acrylates copolymer~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerTocopherol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphatePerlite~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of volcanic glass. Absorbs moisture and can temporarily mattify the skin
More about PerliteAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerAluminum hydroxide~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideCaprylyl glycol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolInulin lauryl carbamate~0.5–0.75%
Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinateP-anisic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritating
More about P-anisic acidPeg-8 laurate~0.45–0.7%
Salicylic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidSilica silylate~0.3–0.55%
Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonateStearic acid~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidStearyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholTerephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ecamsule, Mexoryl SX. A UV filter. Is effective mostly against the UVA rays. It is legally marketed in the US with the FDA approval since 2006, even though the ingredient is not on the official FDA list of the approved sunscreen active ingredients. It is photostable
More about Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acidTitanium dioxide~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideIngredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Triethanolamine, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Xanthan gum, Zinc pca, Unknown, Water, Homosalate, Silica, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl triazone, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Niacinamide, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Dicaprylyl ether, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Tocopherol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Perlite, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Aluminum hydroxide, Caprylyl glycol, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, P-anisic acid, Peg-8 laurate, Salicylic acid, Silica silylate, Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Stearic acid, Stearyl alcohol, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, Titanium dioxide
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| La Roche-PosayAnthelios Anti-Imperfection Sun Cream SPF50+YOUR PRODUCT | JUMISOWaterfull Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 50% |
| Price | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Uvinul A Plus |
| Irritancy | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "La Roche-Posay - Anthelios Anti-Imperfection Sun Cream SPF50+" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: tinosorb s, avobenzone, mexoryl xl, octisalate, uvinul t, homosalate, octocrylene and terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 20.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review hindawi.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.