La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ka+ Spf50+
82/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios KA+ SPF50+ is a hybrid sunscreen pairing chemical filters such as Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone and Octocrylene with Titanium Dioxide. It wears balanced and lightweight with low white cast, low sting and low pore-clogging risk. With a high score of 82 out of 100 and excellent protection, it is a strong daily choice for higher sun exposure.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
99
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #4, UV filter
- +31.4 Titanium Dioxide at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +17.6 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #9, UV filter
- +12.8 Octocrylene at #11, UV filter
- +12 Drometrizole Trisiloxane at #25, UV filter (UVA1 +4.2)
- +8.4 Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid at #36, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- β38.7 UVB coverage saturated
- β27.8 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
67
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #11 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #7, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π»
White cast
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β17.5 Titanium Dioxide at #5 (nano)
- +1.2 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β7 Octocrylene at #11, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β4 Volatile alcohol at #8
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Titanium Dioxide at #5
- β2 Synthetic Wax at #20, wax film
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β1 Glycine Soja Oil at #27, moderate comedogenic signal
- β1 Myristic Acid at #30, moderate comedogenic signal
- β1 Palmitic Acid at #31, moderate comedogenic signal
π
Fungal acne
Medium
48
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 free fatty acids that feed Malassezia (Myristic Acid)
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Glycine Soja Oil)
- β27 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate)
- β4 2 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
π
Fabric stains
High
10
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #7, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #11, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Mexoryl XL at #25, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
- β10 Titanium Dioxide at #5, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #8
- β 3 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Nylon-12)
- β 16 Glycerin at #3, the anchor humectant
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Panthenol)
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Glycine Soja Oil)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Nylon-12)
- β 1 Volatile alcohol at #8
- β 10 2 emollient lipids (Glycine Soja Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 2 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #8), fast, even canvas
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate)
- β 3.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
- β 3 High mineral load at #5 greys under foundation (nano)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +2 1 water-locking waxes
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¨ Panthenol (B5)
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.
-
1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 9 β dewy emollient lipid
-
3 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 16 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide)
- β 31.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 10 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- pills β 3 High mineral load greys under foundation (nano)
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)
- β 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
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
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 17.6 UV protection
-
10 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
11 Octocrylene
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 12.8 UV protection
- β 7 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
-
12 Niacinamide
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
13 Panthenol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
- 1 β nourishing humectant
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
15 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
18 Nylon-12
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 2 wax film
- β 2 wax water lock
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Mexoryl XL), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 12 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 10 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Plant oil, an emollient
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Supporting ingredient
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
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)
-
37 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
pH adjuster
Is La Roche-Posay Anthelios KA+ SPF50+ a good sunscreen?
Yes, it scores 82 out of 100 with excellent protection, one of the stronger options in the catalog. The broad filter set gives reliable everyday coverage.
Does the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ka+ Spf50+ leave a white cast?
No, it is rated low for white cast and has a balanced, lightweight finish, so it should wear clear on most skin tones.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid sunscreen, pairing chemical filters such as Ethylhexyl Triazone and Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine with Titanium Dioxide.