La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Nutritive Oil SPF50
Works for
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.
Anti-agingSide benefit · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
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 toneSide benefit · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Isopropyl palmitate~23–35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateEthylhexyl palmitate~9–13.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateAlcohol denat.~5.2–7.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~4.3–6.4%
- 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 triazineEthylhexyl triazone~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 triazoneButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.5–3.8%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylenediamine/stearyl dimer dilinoleate copolymer~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~1.5–2.3%
- 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 benzoateDrometrizole trisiloxane~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 trisiloxanePentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateParfum~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Isopropyl palmitate, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Alcohol denat., Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Ethylhexyl triazone, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylenediamine/stearyl dimer dilinoleate copolymer, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, 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.
| La Roche-PosayAnthelios XL Nutritive Oil SPF50YOUR PRODUCT | LieracSun Protective Fluid Spf50 Face And Decollete Sunissime Lierac | GarnierAmbre Solaire Invisible Protect Bronze Sun Protection Spray SPF30 | VichyIdeal Soleil Stick SPF50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 41% | 40% | 39% |
| Price | — | $19.07 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Hexapeptide-1 | Sunflower Seed Oil | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Eucerin Sensitive Protect Sun Fluid Mattifying SPF50+BIOTHERM Waterlover Hydrating Sun Milk SPF30+ Eco-Conscious Tube
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "La Roche-Posay - Anthelios XL Nutritive Oil SPF50" 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).
Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
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. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 4.30% - 6.40%, avobenzone 2.50% - 3.80%, mexoryl xl 1.00% - 1.60% and uvinul t 3.50% - 5.30%.
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it 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 17.53£ 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 2 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 2
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