La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 3 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-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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 · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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 · 14 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, isododecane.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
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.
Titanium dioxide6%
- 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 dioxideZinc oxide5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideWater~45–55%
Dimethicone~6–7.3%
- 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 DimethiconeIsododecane~6.6–8.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneC12-15 alkyl benzoate~4.7–5.7%
- 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 benzoateUndecane~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a non-greasy finish on the skin
More about UndecaneTriethylhexanoin~2.7–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriethylhexanoinIsohexadecane~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneNylon-12~2.1–2.6%
Caprylyl methicone~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Caprylyl methiconeButyloctyl salicylate~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylatePhenethyl benzoate~1.2–1.4%
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerSilica~1.3–1.5%
Tridecane~0.8–1.2%
Dicaprylyl carbonate~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateDicaprylyl ether~0.95–1.15%
- 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 etherTalc~1–1.3%
Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~0.7–1.1%
Aluminum stearate~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to help evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in a formulation
More about Aluminum stearatePentylene glycol~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPeg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together
More about Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethiconeAlumina~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaPolyhydroxystearic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMagnesium sulfate~0.5–0.75%
Propylene glycol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolCaprylyl glycol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPeg-8 laurate~0.5–0.7%
Disteardimonium hectorite~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneDiethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonateTocopherol~0.25–0.45%
- 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 TocopherolPropylene carbonate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateCassia alata leaf extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Cassia alata leaf extractMaltodextrin~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinBenzoic acid~0.1–0.2%
Peg-9~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Dimethicone, Isododecane, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Undecane, Triethylhexanoin, Isohexadecane, Nylon-12, Caprylyl methicone, Butyloctyl salicylate, Phenethyl benzoate, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Silica, Tridecane, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Dicaprylyl ether, Talc, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Aluminum stearate, Pentylene glycol, Peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, Alumina, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium sulfate, Propylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Peg-8 laurate, Disteardimonium hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, Tocopherol, Propylene carbonate, Cassia alata leaf extract, Maltodextrin, Benzoic acid, Peg-9
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Product summary
We believe that "La Roche-Posay - Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. 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).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This product contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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 95.40A$ in Australia and for 34.99$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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