La Roche-Posay Hydraphase HA UV SPF25 Light
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 25 · 4 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
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.
MoisturizingSodium hyaluronate, Glycerin + 9 moreGood evidence
“Hydraphase HA UV SPF25 Light”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.1–6.2%
- 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 GlycerinIsopropyl palmitate~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateEthylhexyl salicylate~3.1–4.7%
- 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 salicylatePentylene glycol~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolAlcohol denat.~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~1.8–2.7%
- 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 triazineButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.7–2.5%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneZea mays starch~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Zea mays starchEthylhexyl triazone~1.2–1.8%
- 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 triazonePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateDiisopropyl sebacate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin without creatng a greasy finish
More about Diisopropyl sebacateOryza sativa cera~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Oryza sativa bran wax~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Stearic acid~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidGlyceryl stearate~0.35–0.8%
- 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 stearateTriethanolamine~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolaminePeg-100 stearate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateMyristic acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidPalmitic acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidCaprylyl glycol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateXanthan gum~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerTocopherol~0.05–0.2%
- 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 TocopherolParfum~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl palmitate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Pentylene glycol, Alcohol denat., Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Zea mays starch, Ethylhexyl triazone, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Diisopropyl sebacate, Oryza sativa cera, Oryza sativa bran wax, Stearic acid, Glyceryl stearate, Triethanolamine, Peg-100 stearate, Sodium hyaluronate, Myristic acid, Palmitic acid, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Xanthan gum, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Parfum
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Product summary
"La Roche-Posay - Hydraphase HA UV SPF25 Light" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of it is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
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. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 1.80% - 2.70%, avobenzone 1.70% - 2.50%, octisalate 3.10% - 4.70% and uvinul t 1.20% - 1.80%.
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 17.99£ 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 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 3Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5
- 6Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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