La Roche-Posay Hydraphase UV Intense Rich
Works for
1 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 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.
MoisturizingPolymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium hyaluronate + 9 moreGood evidence
“Hydraphase UV Intense Rich”
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, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
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: beeswax, cera alba.
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“Hydraphase UV Intense Rich Daily rehydrating moisturiser with SPF20 featuring broad-spectrum anti-UVA and UVB sun filters Daily rehydrating moisturiser with SPF20 featuring broad-spectrum anti-UVA and UVB sun filters. SP ... Read more”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“Helps to prevent sun-induced dark spots.”
This product contains ingredients () that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateWater~12–18%
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~5.4–8.1%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneC30-45 alkyl dimethicone~3.8–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylyl glycol~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCarbomer~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerCera alba~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about Cera albaBeeswax~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxDimethicone~1.5–2.2%
- 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolDisodium edta~0.5–1%
Ethylhexyl salicylate~0.95–1.45%
- 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 salicylateGlycerin~0.6–1.35%
- 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 GlycerinHomosalate~0.85–1.25%
- 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 HomosalateHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.5–1.15%
- 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 acidIsopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinateOctocrylene~0.55–1.25%
- 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 OctocryleneParfum~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPeg-12 dimethicone~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Peg-12 dimethiconePhenoxyethanol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolymethylsilsesquioxane~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 PolymethylsilsesquioxanePolysorbate 61~0.3–0.75%
Sodium benzoate~0.15–0.5%
Sodium 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 hyaluronateSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateSucrose tristearate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sucrose tristearateTriethanolamine~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineXanthan gum~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIngredient list view
Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Water, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, C30-45 alkyl dimethicone, Caprylyl glycol, Carbomer, Cera alba, Beeswax, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Disodium edta, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Glycerin, Homosalate, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, Octocrylene, Parfum, Peg-12 dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysorbate 61, Sodium benzoate, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Sucrose tristearate, Triethanolamine, Xanthan gum
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Product summary
"La Roche-Posay - Hydraphase UV Intense Rich" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, it does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
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: avobenzone 5.40% - 8.10% and octocrylene 0.55% - 1.25%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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 from 18.50$ up to 109.90$ in the United States and from 14.62£ up to 76.69£ 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
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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