La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir™ SPF 50 Serum Sunscreen
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 4 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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 11 moreStrong evidence
“Provides instant and long-lasting hydration as well as helps smooth skin and even skin tone”
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, polyglycerin-3.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, helianthus annuus seed wax.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneNiacinamideStrong evidence
“Provides instant and long-lasting hydration as well as helps smooth skin 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).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Tocopherol, Cassia alata leaf extractStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, TocopherolStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
This product can also 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy14 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate7%
- 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 HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene7%
- 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 OctocryleneWater~45–55%
Glycerin~5.2–6.4%
- 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 GlycerinC15-19 alkane~5.8–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about C15-19 alkaneNiacinamide~4.4–5.3%
- 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 NiacinamidePropanediol~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolC12-22 alkyl acrylate/hydroxyethylacrylate copolymer~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~1.7–2.1%
- 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 TocopherolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCaprylyl glycol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCassia alata leaf extract~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Cassia alata leaf extractCetearyl alcohol~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCitric acid~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidDiethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonateGlyceryl stearate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateHelianthus annuus seed wax~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency
More about Helianthus annuus seed waxHydroxyacetophenone~0.5–0.75%
Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulations
More about Hydroxypropyl starch phosphateJojoba esters~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersMaltodextrin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinPentylene glycol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolyglycerin-3~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglycerin-3Sclerotium gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumSodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Sodium starch octenylsuccinate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Glycerin, C15-19 alkane, Niacinamide, Propanediol, C12-22 alkyl acrylate/hydroxyethylacrylate copolymer, Tocopherol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl glycol, Cassia alata leaf extract, Cetearyl alcohol, Citric acid, Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, Glyceryl stearate, Helianthus annuus seed wax, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Jojoba esters, Maltodextrin, Pentylene glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Sclerotium gum, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium starch octenylsuccinate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate
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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 UVAir™ SPF 50 Serum SunscreenYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeHydrating Sheer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 for Face & Body | GarnierGreen Labs Canna-B Pore Perfecting Serum Cream, Fragrance Free, with SPF 30 and Niacinamide Vitamin B3 + Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil | Sun BumDaily Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 85% | 85% | 85% |
| Price | $39.99 | $17.99−$22.00 | — | $7.98−$32.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 11 | 6 of 11 | 5 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Ap | Capryloyl Salicylic Acid | Butyloctyl Salicylate |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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