ANTHELIOS KA+ SUNSCREEN SPF50+

Name: La Roche-Posay - ANTHELIOS KA+ SUNSCREEN SPF50+
Brand: La Roche-Posay

SPF 50Efficacy 90/100·Low irritancy ·7 UV filters

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 3 of 3 advertised claims delivered

Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "La Roche-Posay - ANTHELIOS KA+ SUNSCREEN SPF50+" can provide reliable sun protection.

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Product summary

Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "La Roche-Posay - ANTHELIOS KA+ SUNSCREEN 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 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 is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: tinosorb s, avobenzone, mexoryl xl, octisalate, uvinul t and terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.

Irritation risk

This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide 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.

Price

The product retails for 49.99A$ in Australia.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sun protection

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.

UV spectrum

UVB290 nmUVA II320 nmUVA I340 nmVisible400 nm+

Uvinul T

Octisalate

Titanium Dioxide

Mexoryl Xl

Tinosorb S

Avobenzone

Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

Uvinul TEthylhexyl TriazoneUVB Photo-stable 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~2.6–3.1%

OctisalateEthylhexyl SalicylateUVBOctisalate. 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—

Titanium Dioxide Mineral UVBUVA2 Photo-stable 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~2.1–2.6%

Mexoryl XlDrometrizole TrisiloxaneUVBUVA2 Photo-stable Mexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yet~0.45–0.65%

Tinosorb SBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineUVBUVA+Visible Photo-stable 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.~3.6–4.4%

AvobenzoneButyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneUVA1Avobenzone. 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.~2–2.4%

Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic AcidUVA1 Photo-stable 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~0.3–0.5%

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Reef-safe

No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.

Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

6 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Strong evidence

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, butylene 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, glycine soja oil.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol

NIACINAMIDERole: Under-dosedIs 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~0.55–0.85%

PANTHENOLRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.5–0.75%

DIMETHICONERole: Key activeA 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~1–1.3%

GLYCERINRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.2–5.2%

GLYCINE SOJA OILRole: Key activeA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.~0.25–0.45%

ISOPROPYL MYRISTATERole: Key activeAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic~0.75–1.1%

Anti-aging

1 ingredient contributes at the levels below

Strong evidence

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.

C12-15 alkyl benzoateRole: Key activeEnhances 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~6.1–7.5%

GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.2–5.2%

Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineRole: Key activeTinosorb 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.~3.6–4.4%

Ethylhexyl triazoneRole: Key activeUvinul 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~2.6–3.1%

Titanium dioxideRole: Key activeWorks 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~2.1–2.6%

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneRole: Key activeAvobenzone. 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.~2–2.4%

DimethiconeRole: Key activeA 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~1–1.3%

Isopropyl myristateRole: Key activeAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic~0.75–1.1%

PanthenolRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.5–0.75%

Drometrizole trisiloxaneRole: Key activeMexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yet~0.45–0.65%

Glycine soja oilRole: Key activeA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.~0.25–0.45%

Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinateRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency~0.25–0.5%

Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acidRole: Key activeEcamsule, 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~0.3–0.5%

Evens skin tone

Brand does not advertise this — the formula does

Quiet bonus

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).

GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.2–5.2%

Isopropyl myristateRole: Key activeAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic~0.75–1.1%

PanthenolRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.5–0.75%

Drometrizole trisiloxaneRole: Key activeMexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yet~0.45–0.65%

Glycine soja oilRole: Key activeA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.~0.25–0.45%

Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinateRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency~0.25–0.5%

Irritancy

16 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 16 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~1.2–1.5%est.

Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.6%est.

Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineTinosorb 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.Low~3.6–4.4%est.

Ethylhexyl triazoneUvinul 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) yetLow~2.6–3.1%est.

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneAvobenzone. 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.Low~2–2.4%est.

Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureLow~0.5–0.8%est.

Potassium cetyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.45–0.7%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~0.3–0.5%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Drometrizole trisiloxaneMexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yetLow~0.45–0.65%est.

Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.Low~0.25–0.45%est.

Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistencyLow~0.25–0.5%est.

Myristic acidHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenicLow~0.25–0.5%est.

Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acidEcamsule, 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 photostableLow~0.3–0.5%est.

TriethanolamineUsed to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smellLow~0.1–0.2%est.

Comedogenic

3 ingredients can clog pores in acne-prone skin

High risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Isopropyl myristateAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenicHigh~0.75–1.1%est.

Myristic acidHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenicHigh~0.25–0.5%est.

Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.Med~0.25–0.45%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.