
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.
“You’ll find a high PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) factor across every offering in the Anthelios range, making sure you get the best possible UVA protection for a more youthful and even skin tone.”
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).
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.
“Plus, it's infused with the brand's very own Thermal Spring Water to ensure your complexion stays hydrated and soothed all day long.”
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, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
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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 HomosalateWorks 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 dioxideOctisalate. 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 salicylateUvinul 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 triazoneEnhances 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 benzoateTinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Approved by the US FDA in 2026 (listed as bemotrizinol on US labels).
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineMexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yet
More about Drometrizole trisiloxaneAvobenzone. 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneA 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 OctocryleneUsed to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerWorks 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 dioxideUsed to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateA red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateTinosorb M. A UV filter. Is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It also provides some protection against visible light. It is photostable and can also be used to improve photostability of other sunscreen ingredients. Its physical properties help to create lightweight sunscreen formulations. It can leave a slight white cast. Unfortunately, it is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolA 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 methiconeUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerIs 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 hydroxideUsed to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolA 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 DimethiconeOne 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 GlycerinA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAn emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholEcamsule, 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 acidUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumWater, Homosalate, Titanium dioxide, Silica, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Ethylhexyl triazone, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Titanium dioxide, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Propylene glycol, Caprylyl methicone, Pentylene glycol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Aluminum hydroxide, Butylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Dimethicone, Disodium edta, Glycerin, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Peg-8 laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Unknown, Stearyl alcohol, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, Xanthan gum
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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 Oil Control SPF 50+ Gel-CreamYOUR PRODUCT | SkinCeuticalsOil Shield UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50 | Coco & EveDaily Water Gel SPF50+ Sunscreen | VichyIdéal Soleil 3-in-1 Tinted Anti-Dark Spots Care SPF50+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 39% | 37% | 35% |
| Price | — | $40.67 | — | $17.38 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 11 | 6 of 11 | 10 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Ensulizole | Butyloctyl Salicylate | Phenylethyl Resorcinol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | High |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Orjena Aqua UV Perfect Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++Ambre Solaire Kids Sensitive Sand Resistant Sun Cream SPF50+
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "La Roche-Posay - Anthelios Oil Control SPF 50+ Gel-Cream" 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).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
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).
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: tinosorb s, avobenzone, mexoryl xl, octisalate, uvinul t, homosalate, tinosorb m and octocrylene. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
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 moisturizer 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.
The product retails for 18.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
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