La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Cream Spf30
87/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Cream is an SPF 30 face sunscreen using a hybrid filter system that combines octisalate and avobenzone with modern actives such as Tinosorb S, Mexoryl XL, Uvinul T 150 and Mexoryl SX. It dries to a matte finish, stays lightweight, keeps white cast low and rarely stings. Protection is excellent and it layers well under makeup. With a score of 87.4/100, it is one of the stronger picks in this set.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
98
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #6, UV filter
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +32 Drometrizole Trisiloxane at #9, UV filter (UVA1 +11.2)
- +24 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #10, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- +17.6 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #11, UV filter
- +8.4 Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid at #23, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- β19.9 UVB coverage saturated
- β18.1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
90
- +100 Starting score
- β10 Avobenzone at #10 (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
70
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
π₯
Eye sting
Low
68
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Avobenzone at #10, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #4
- β8 Fragrance
π
Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate)
π
Fabric stains
Medium
52
- +100 Starting score
- β38 Avobenzone at #10, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β10 Mexoryl XL at #9, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 13 Volatile alcohol at #4
- β 4.5 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate)
- β 16 Glycerin at #3, the anchor humectant
- β 1 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 4 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica)
- β 3 Volatile alcohol at #4
- β 3 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Sebacate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #4), fast, even canvas
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 2.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer)
- β 3.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
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¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (26)
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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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3 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 16 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)
- β 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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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
-
Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 24 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 8 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 38 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 17.6 UV protection
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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13 Silica
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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14 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
19 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Botanical extract
-
Supporting ingredient
-
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)
-
pH adjuster
-
25 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
26 Fragrance
Fragrance
Is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Cream good for oily skin?
Yes, generally. It dries to a matte finish, wears lightweight and has low pore-clogging risk, which oily and combination skin commonly prefer.
Does the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Cream Spf30 leave a white cast?
No, white cast is low. The matte chemical-hybrid formula sinks in without a noticeable film.
Is it a good sunscreen?
It scores 87.4/100 with excellent SPF 30 protection. Its modern hybrid filters, matte finish and good makeup compatibility make it one of the stronger options here.