La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAIR SPF50+
86/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAIR SPF50+ is a chemical sunscreen with a hybrid filter blend that pairs the modern bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine and ethylhexyl triazone with butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane. It sets to a matte finish, stays lightweight, leaves little white cast and rates excellent as a makeup base, though some may notice mild stinging. With excellent protection and a strong score of 85.9/100, it is a top-tier daily high-SPF pick.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
100
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #5, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +20.9 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #6, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +21.6 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #14, UV filter (UVA1 +13.2)
- β6 UVB coverage saturated
- β12 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
90
- +100 Starting score
- β10 Avobenzone at #7 (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
Medium
53
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β18 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
- β8 Fragrance
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
99
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Copernicia Cerifera Wax at #13, wax film
- +0.8 Volatile alcohol at #2, evaporating texture
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β7 Isopropyl Myristate at #8, heavy comedogenic ester
- β1 Myristic Acid at #20, moderate comedogenic signal
- β1 Palmitic Acid at #22, moderate comedogenic signal
π
Fungal acne
Medium
52
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 free fatty acids that feed Malassezia (Myristic Acid)
- β32 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate)
- β4 2 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
π
Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #7, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #14, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 22 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β 6 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Silica Silylate, Perlite)
- β 4 Glycerin at #9, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #27, hyaluronic family
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 5 3 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Perlite, Silica Silylate)
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #2
- β 5 2 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate)
- β 2 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Myristate)
π
Makeup base
Excellent
PillsPrimer
- β 10 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #2), fast, even canvas
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 5 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- 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
- +2 1 water-locking waxes
Full ingredient list (33)
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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Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
- β 5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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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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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150)
- β 20.9 UV protection
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- β 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 heavy comedogenic ester
- 2 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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9 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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10 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 2 wax film
- β 2 wax water lock
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 21.6 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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17 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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21 Niacinamide
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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25 Perlite
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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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
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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28 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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29 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
pH adjuster
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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32 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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33 Fragrance
Fragrance
Does the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAIR SPF50+ work under makeup?
Yes, it rates excellent as a makeup base. With a matte, lightweight finish and low white cast, it is well suited to wear under makeup.
Is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAIR SPF50+ any good?
It scores 85.9 out of 100, which is strong. With excellent protection and modern filters, it is a top-tier daily high-SPF pick.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen with a hybrid filter blend, including modern filters like bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine and ethylhexyl triazone.