La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Cream Spf 50+
88/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Cream SPF 50+ is a hybrid sunscreen with a premium filter system including drometrizole trisiloxane (Mexoryl XL) and terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid (Mexoryl SX) for strong UVA cover. It wears matte and lightweight with low white cast, is non-stinging and low on breakout risk, and layers well under makeup. With excellent protection and a top-tier 88/100, it is one of the best options in this set.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
99
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #7, UV filter
- +17.6 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #8, UV filter
- +32 Drometrizole Trisiloxane at #10, UV filter (UVA1 +11.2)
- +24 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #11, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- +8.4 Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid at #24, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- β19.9 UVB coverage saturated
- β18.1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
90
- +100 Starting score
- β10 Avobenzone at #11 (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 #11, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #5
- 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 #11, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β10 Mexoryl XL at #10, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 13 Volatile alcohol at #5
- 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 #5
- β 3 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Sebacate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #5), 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 (27)
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
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
3 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 16 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S)
- β 45.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
-
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 (Uvinul T 150), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 17.6 UV protection
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
26 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
27 Fragrance
Fragrance
Is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra a good sunscreen?
Yes, it is one of the best in this set at 88/100. Protection is excellent, it uses premium Mexoryl filters for strong UVA cover, and it wears matte and lightweight.
Does the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Cream Spf 50+ leave a white cast?
White cast is low. The hybrid filter system, including Mexoryl XL and SX, generally wears close to clear.
Is it good under makeup?
Yes, it layers well under makeup. The matte lightweight finish is non-stinging with low breakout risk, making it a clean base.