La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anthelios Xl Wet Skin Gel SPF 50+
72/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
The La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Wet Skin Gel SPF 50+ is a hybrid sunscreen designed for application on wet skin, using homosalate, octocrylene, ethylhexyl salicylate, avobenzone, ethylhexyl triazone, and Tinosorb S. It has a balanced finish, stays lightweight, and keeps white cast low. Breakout risk is low, though some users may notice mild stinging. With a 71.9/100 score and excellent protection, it is a solid choice, especially for swimming or sweating.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
82
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +16 Octocrylene at #3, UV filter
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #4, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +20.9 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #7, UV filter
- +28.8 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #14, UV filter (UVA1 +9.6)
- β31.3 UVB coverage saturated
- β2.7 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #3, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #5, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
35
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β22 Octocrylene at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β4 Volatile alcohol at #11
- β8 Fragrance
π
Fungal acne
Medium
73
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Oleate, PEG-8 Laurate)
π
Fabric stains
High
30
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #5, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #3, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #11
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12)
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 10 Glycerin at #6, the anchor humectant
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12)
- β 2 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 1 Volatile alcohol at #11
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 3 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #11), fast, even canvas
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +6 2 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Full ingredient list (30)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 16 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 22 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- β 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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6 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150)
- β 20.9 UV protection
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 2 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Supporting ingredient
-
10 Trisiloxane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
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12 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 28.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
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16 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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20 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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24 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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25 Nylon-12
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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28 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
pH adjuster
-
30 Fragrance
Fragrance
Can you apply the Anthelios Wet Skin gel on wet skin?
Yes, it is designed for application on wet skin, which makes it convenient for swimming or sweating. It scores 71.9/100 with excellent protection.
Is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anthelios Xl Wet Skin Gel SPF 50+ mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen using homosalate, octocrylene, ethylhexyl salicylate, avobenzone, ethylhexyl triazone, and Tinosorb S.
Does the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anthelios Xl Wet Skin Gel SPF 50+ leave a white cast?
No, white cast is generally not a concern. It rates low for ghost mode. Some users may notice mild stinging, so patch test if your skin is sensitive.