La Roche-Posay Anthelios Hydrating Cream SPF50
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 6 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-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Features Very high facial protection for normal/combination skin Anti-UVA, Anti-UVB, Anti-Infrared, Anti-Oxidant No Parabens No Fragrance 100% hypoallergenic Non-comedogenic Tested on sensitive skin Benefits Who is this for , Women or men that may be exposed to intense sun regularly.”
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 toneNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Helps to prevent appearance of sun-induced dark spots.”
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).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (scutellaria baicalensis extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 12 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy16 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~5.1–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateGlycerin~3.7–4.5%
- 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 GlycerinBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~3.3–4.1%
- 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 triazineAlcohol denat.~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Dimethicone~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeEthylhexyl triazone~2.1–2.6%
- 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 triazoneDrometrizole trisiloxane~2–2.4%
- 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 trisiloxaneButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.6–2%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneStyrene/acrylates copolymer~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerPentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product consistency while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoateTitanium dioxide~0.65–0.95%
- 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 dioxidePropylene glycol dicaprylate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Propylene glycol dicaprylateStearyl alcohol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholTalc~0.45–0.65%
Tocopherol~0.2–0.4%
- 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 TocopherolNylon-12~0.25–0.5%
Synthetic wax~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and thicken product consistency
More about Synthetic waxAluminum hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
- 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 hydroxideAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/steareth-8 methacrylate copolymer~0.2–0.35%
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateCaprylyl glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDimethicone crosspolymer~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerDisodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Glyceryl isostearate~0.2–0.35%
Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinatePeg-8 laurate~0.15–0.25%
Pentylene glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateScutellaria baicalensis extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare typically too low. Can be used for its fragrant properties
More about Scutellaria baicalensis extractScutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
More about Scutellaria baicalensis root extractStearic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidT-butyl alcohol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholTerephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid~0.3–0.55%
- 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 acidTriethanolamine~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineXanthan gum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDatem~0.15–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycerin, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Alcohol denat., Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl triazone, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, Titanium dioxide, Propylene glycol dicaprylate, Stearyl alcohol, Talc, Tocopherol, Nylon-12, Synthetic wax, Aluminum hydroxide, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/steareth-8 methacrylate copolymer, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Caprylyl glycol, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Disodium edta, Glyceryl isostearate, Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, Peg-8 laurate, Pentylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Scutellaria baicalensis extract, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Stearic acid, T-butyl alcohol, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, Triethanolamine, Xanthan gum, Datem
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "La Roche-Posay - Anthelios Hydrating Cream SPF50" can provide reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because 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 also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 3.30% - 4.10%, avobenzone 1.60% - 2.00%, mexoryl xl 2.00% - 2.40%, uvinul t 2.10% - 2.60% and terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid 0.30% - 0.55%.
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetraesters as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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