La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Invisible Mist Ultra-Light SPF50+

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Invisible Mist Ultra-Light SPF50+

SPF 50Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium·6 UV filters
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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Sun protection
SPF 50 · 6 UV filters
Broad spectrum
SPF 50Broad spectrumChemical filtersNo white cast

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
UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm
Homosalate
Octocrylene
Octisalate
Uvinul T
Mexoryl Xl
Avobenzone
FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount
HomosalateUVB Photo-stable 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~5.2–7.7%
OctocryleneUVB Photo-stable 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~3.4–5.1%
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~2.5–3.7%
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~0.45–1%
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~1.4–2.1%
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.~1.6–2.4%
~ 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.
Evens skin tone
Not advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claim
Strong 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).

Anti-aging
Not advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claim
Strong 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.

TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.1–0.35%
Moisturizing
Not advertised by the brand · 9 ingredients credited for this claim
Good 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).

PolymethylsilsesquioxaneKey activeEffect: HighA silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss~0.5–1.2%
DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~1.7–2.6%
Isostearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.35–0.85%
IsododecaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture~0.35–0.8%
Dicaprylyl carbonate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin~0.55–1.3%
Dicaprylyl ether· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients~3.8–5.7%
Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.45–1.05%
Propylene carbonateEffect: LowIs used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture~0.15–0.55%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.1–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 13 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
P-anisic acidHelps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritatingHigh~0.45–1.05%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.3%est.
HomosalateA 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 formulationMedium~5.2–7.7%est.
OctocryleneA 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" sunscreenMedium~3.4–5.1%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.Medium~1.6–2.4%est.
Drometrizole trisiloxaneMexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yetMedium~1.4–2.1%est.
Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.95–1.4%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.45–1.05%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.4–0.95%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) yetMedium~0.45–1%est.
Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methiconeHelps oil and water mix together. It might be irritating for some peopleMedium~0.3–0.7%est.
Peg-8 laurateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.3–0.7%est.
Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.15–0.6%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Butane~22–33%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Butane
Water~12–17%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Homosalate~5.2–7.7%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Sun protection

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 Homosalate
Dicaprylyl ether~3.8–5.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 ether
Octocrylene~3.4–5.1%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Sun protection

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 Octocrylene
Ethylhexyl salicylate~2.5–3.7%
UV filter
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

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 salicylate
Dimethicone~1.7–2.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

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 Dimethicone
Styrene/acrylates copolymer~1.5–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters

More about Styrene/acrylates copolymer
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.6–2.4%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Sun protection

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 methoxydibenzoylmethane
Drometrizole trisiloxane~1.4–2.1%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Sun protection

Mexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yet

More about Drometrizole trisiloxane
Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate~0.95–1.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate
Nylon-12~0.95–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a nice product consistency

More about Nylon-12
Dicaprylyl carbonate~0.55–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin

More about Dicaprylyl carbonate
Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer~0.55–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Helps thicken the product consistency

More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane~0.5–1.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss

More about Polymethylsilsesquioxane
P-anisic acid~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Helps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritating

More about P-anisic acid
Caprylyl glycol~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Disodium edta~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Disteardimonium hectorite~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency

More about Disteardimonium hectorite
Ethylhexyl triazone~0.45–1%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Sun protection

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

More about Ethylhexyl triazone
Isododecane~0.35–0.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture

More about Isododecane
Isostearyl alcohol~0.35–0.85%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Isostearyl alcohol
Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methicone~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps oil and water mix together. It might be irritating for some people

More about Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methicone
Peg-8 laurate~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-8 laurate
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Poly c10-30 alkyl acrylate~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Propylene carbonate~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture

More about Propylene carbonate
Sodium chloride~0.1–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate
Tocopherol~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

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 Tocopherol
Parfum~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Butane, Water, Homosalate, Dicaprylyl ether, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Dimethicone, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate, Nylon-12, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, P-anisic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Disodium edta, Disteardimonium hectorite, Ethylhexyl triazone, Isododecane, Isostearyl alcohol, Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methicone, Peg-8 laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Poly c10-30 alkyl acrylate, Propylene carbonate, Sodium chloride, Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tocopherol, Parfum

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
La Roche-PosayAnthelios XL Invisible Mist Ultra-Light SPF50+YOUR PRODUCTGarnierAmbre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Dry Mist SPF50VichyIdéal Soleil Anti-Sand Mist for Children SPF50+
Match—57%55%
Price$22.67$21.15−$1.52$20.23−$2.44
Shared key ingredients—8 of 88 of 8
Key difference—Vitamin E—
Irritancy Medium Low Low
SPFSPF 50SPF 50SPF 50
Drying alcohol———
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Product summary

We assess that "La Roche-Posay - Anthelios XL Invisible Mist Ultra-Light SPF50+" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. 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 also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).

Sunscreen filters

This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 1.60% - 2.40%, mexoryl xl 1.40% - 2.10%, octisalate 2.50% - 3.70%, uvinul t 0.45% - 1.00%, homosalate 5.20% - 7.70% and octocrylene 3.40% - 5.10%.

Irritation risk

It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. 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 17.15£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
    Sodium anisateecha.europa.eu
  6. 6
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Invisible Mist Ultra-Light SPF50+
La Roche-PosayAnthelios XL Invisible Mist Ultra-Light SPF50+

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