La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense Sunscreen SPF 50 with BEMT For Advanced UVA Protection
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 5 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 · Zinc pca, TocopherolStrong 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
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 · Glycerin, Glycine soja oil + 11 moreGood 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, zinc pca.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Benzyl benzoateMedium 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine2%
- 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 triazineHomosalate11%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene6%
- 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%
Dimethicone~5.3–6.5%
- 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 DimethiconeGlycerin~4.8–5.9%
- 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 GlycerinDimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~4.2–5.2%
Phenethyl benzoate~3.1–3.7%
Butylene glycol~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used 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 glycolC12-22 alkyl acrylate/hydroxyethylacrylate copolymer~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~1.4–1.7%
- 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 benzoateHydroxyacetophenone~1.1–1.4%
Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateArachidyl alcohol~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Caprylyl glycol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolBehenyl alcohol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholZinc pca~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaXanthan gum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPentylene glycol~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateTocopherol~0.35–0.65%
- 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 TocopherolDiethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonateTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateArachidyl glucoside~0.35–0.6%
Citric acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCassia alata leaf extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Cassia alata leaf extractMaltodextrin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinDipropylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolSorbitan isostearate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearatePolysorbate 60~0.35–0.65%
Glycine soja oil~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilSodium citrate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.45–0.65%
- 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 triglycerideLitchi chinensis pericarp extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Benzyl benzoate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateAlteromonas ferment extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A marine extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It is claimed to have anti-inflammatory properties but research is lacking
More about Alteromonas ferment extractMethyl salicylate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Benzyl alcohol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Phenethyl benzoate, Butylene glycol, C12-22 alkyl acrylate/hydroxyethylacrylate copolymer, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Arachidyl alcohol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl glycol, Behenyl alcohol, Zinc pca, Xanthan gum, Pentylene glycol, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Tocopherol, Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Arachidyl glucoside, Citric acid, Cassia alata leaf extract, Maltodextrin, Dipropylene glycol, Sorbitan isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Glycine soja oil, Sodium citrate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Litchi chinensis pericarp extract, Benzyl benzoate, Alteromonas ferment extract, Methyl salicylate, Benzyl alcohol
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Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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