La Roche-Posay Mela B3 UV Daily Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 30
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 7 moreWorks well
“Mela B3 UV Daily Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 30”
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, butylene glycol.
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: butyrospermum parkii butter, behenyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Butyrospermum parkii butterWorks well
“Daily Anti-Aging Moisturizer with SPF 30”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Capryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
“Visibly corrects uneven skin tone, fine lines and rough skin texture”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
This product can also help with skin tone because it offers 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).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Capryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Capryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: capryloyl salicylic acid
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium 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.
Water~45–55%
C15-19 alkane~7.2–8.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about C15-19 alkaneNiacinamide~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideGlycerin~3.1–3.8%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~2.4–2.9%
- 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 glycolSilica~2.1–2.6%
Titanium dioxide~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideButyrospermum parkii butter~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterTin oxide~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxidePotassium hydroxide~0.95–1.15%
Carbomer~0.65–0.95%
- 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 CarbomerArachidyl alcohol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholArachidyl glucoside~0.45–0.7%
Behenyl alcohol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcohol2-mercaptonicotinoyl glycine~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysine~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium thiosulfate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerHydroxyacetophenone~0.25–0.5%
Capryloyl salicylic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Caprylyl glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCitric acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateXanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPentylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPoly c10-30 alkyl acrylate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-4 caprate~0.2–0.35%
Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamatePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCi 14700~0.1–0.2%
Mica~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, C15-19 alkane, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Silica, Titanium dioxide, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Tin oxide, Potassium hydroxide, Carbomer, Arachidyl alcohol, Arachidyl glucoside, Behenyl alcohol, 2-mercaptonicotinoyl glycine, Sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysine, Sodium thiosulfate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Citric acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Xanthan gum, Pentylene glycol, Poly c10-30 alkyl acrylate, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 14700, Mica, 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-PosayMela B3 UV Daily Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | GarnierAmbre Solaire Anti-Age Super UV Face Protection SPF50 Cream | Purito SEOULComfy Water Sun Block | VichyCapital Soleil Anti-Ageing 3-in-1 Antioxidant Care | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 93% | 82% | 81% |
| Price | $34.99 | $12.47−$22.52 | — | $17.46−$17.53 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Mexoryl Xl | Madecassoside | Dimethicone |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotionfromrier EGF Cica Mineral Sunscreen
Product summary
We do not recommend "La Roche-Posay - Mela B3 UV Daily Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 30" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide for sun protection. Titanium dioxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 36.99$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Tin(IV) Oxide as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 5
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