La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+
86/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Facial Sunscreen is an SPF 50+ hybrid sunscreen combining titanium dioxide with modern filters like Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, and Drometrizole Trisiloxane. It keeps white cast low, wears lightweight with a balanced finish, and does not commonly sting, which suits sensitive skin. The low breakout-trigger profile is generally agreeable for blemish-prone skin. With a strong score of 85.7 and excellent protection, it is a well-rounded facial sunscreen.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
100
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +31.4 Titanium Dioxide at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- +24 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #9, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- +13.2 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #14, UV filter
- +24 Drometrizole Trisiloxane at #17, UV filter (UVA1 +8.4)
- +8.4 Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid at #33, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- β20.7 UVB coverage saturated
- β26.7 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
90
- +100 Starting score
- β10 Avobenzone at #9 (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»
White cast
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β17.5 Titanium Dioxide at #6 (nano)
- +1.2 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
74
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Avobenzone at #9, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #4
- β8 Fragrance
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
89
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Titanium Dioxide at #6
- β2 Synthetic Wax at #19, wax film
- +7.2 Volatile alcohol at #4, evaporating texture
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
99
- +100 Starting score
- β1 Glycine Soja Oil at #27, moderate comedogenic signal
π
Fungal acne
Medium
62
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Glycine Soja Oil)
- β27 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Isostearate, PEG-8 Laurate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
π
Fabric stains
Medium
42
- +100 Starting score
- β38 Avobenzone at #9, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β10 Mexoryl XL at #17, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β10 Titanium Dioxide at #6, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 13 Volatile alcohol at #4
- β 3 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12, Talc)
- β 16 Glycerin at #3, the anchor humectant
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Glycine Soja Oil)
- β 1 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Talc, Nylon-12)
- β 3 Volatile alcohol at #4
- β 10 2 emollient lipids (Glycine Soja Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #4), 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 #6 greys under foundation (nano)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
- +2 1 water-locking waxes
Full ingredient list (37)
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
- 9 β dewy emollient lipid
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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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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)
- β 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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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)
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide)
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
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
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 7 film former
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β nourishing light emollient
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 13.2 UV protection
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
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16 Talc
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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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Mexoryl XL), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 24 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 10 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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18 Nylon-12
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 2 wax film
- β 2 wax water lock
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Botanical extract
-
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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Plant oil, an emollient
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Supporting ingredient
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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29 Maltodextrin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
32 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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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)
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34 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
pH adjuster
-
36 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
37 Fragrance
Fragrance
Is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Facial good?
It scores a strong 85.7 out of 100 with excellent protection, making it a well- rounded facial sunscreen. It uses a modern hybrid filter set and wears lightweight. That balance of protection and feel drives the high score.
Does the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, so it commonly applies without an obvious white film despite including titanium dioxide. It wears with a balanced, lightweight finish. That suits most skin tones.
Is it good for sensitive skin?
It does not commonly sting and has a low pore-clogging profile, so it is generally agreeable for sensitive and blemish-prone skin. It is rated SPF 50+. The modern filter set is a plus for daily facial use.