La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Imperfection Spf50+ Salicylic Acid Sun Cream
81/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Imperfection SPF50+ Salicylic Acid Sun Cream is a hybrid sunscreen pairing chemical filters such as Homosalate, Octocrylene and Ethylhexyl Triazone with a matte finish aimed at blemish-prone skin. It is lightweight with low white cast and low pore-clogging concern, though it may sting slightly for some. With excellent protection and a score of 80.8/100, it is a strong choice for oilier or breakout-prone skin that wants a shine-controlling feel.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
100
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #4, UV filter
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #5, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +20.9 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #7, UV filter
- +38.4 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #8, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- +32 Drometrizole Trisiloxane at #10, UV filter (UVA1 +11.2)
- +8.4 Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid at #31, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- +9.9 Titanium Dioxide at #32, UV filter (UVA1 +1.5)
- β48.7 UVB coverage saturated
- β25.5 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 #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #6, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π»
White cast
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Titanium Dioxide at #32 (nano)
- +0.2 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
54
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
π
Fungal acne
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (PEG-8 Laurate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
π
Fabric stains
High
18
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #6, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Mexoryl XL at #10, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
- β2 Titanium Dioxide at #32, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 12.5 4 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Silica Silylate, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, β¦)
- β 4 Glycerin at #11, the anchor humectant
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 13 4 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Perlite, β¦)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +3 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Skincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- β¨ Niacinamide
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (38)
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
-
Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
3 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 8 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 10 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- β 15.2 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 15 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
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
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150)
- β 20.9 UV protection
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 38.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Mexoryl XL), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 32 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 10 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
-
11 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
-
16 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
18 Perlite
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Supporting ingredient
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
29 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Mexoryl SX), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 8.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 9.9 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 2 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
-
pH adjuster
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
36 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
37 Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
38 Zinc Pca
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
Is the Anthelios Anti-Imperfection SPF50+ good for oily or acne-prone skin?
Yes, it has a matte finish and low pore-clogging concern, aimed at blemish-prone skin. It includes salicylic acid alongside the sunscreen.
Is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Imperfection Spf50+ Salicylic Acid Sun Cream mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid sunscreen. Filters include Homosalate, Octocrylene and Ethylhexyl Triazone.
Does the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Imperfection Spf50+ Salicylic Acid Sun Cream leave a white cast?
No, white cast is rated low and the finish is matte and lightweight. Note it may sting slightly for some.