La Roche-Posay Anthelios Xl Spray Spf 50+
92/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Spray SPF 50+ is a hybrid sunscreen with a robust filter set, including Drometrizole Trisiloxane and Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, for strong UVA and UVB protection. The spray is lightweight with a balanced finish and a low white cast, and it generally works well as a base under makeup. It does not sting and is low on pore-clogging. Excellent protection and a high score of 91.5/100 make it one of the top picks here.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
100
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #5, UV filter
- +38.4 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #8, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- +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
- +16.8 Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid at #19, UV filter (UVA1 +6)
- β17.2 UVB coverage saturated
- β21.4 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
90
- +100 Starting score
- β10 Avobenzone at #10 (regulatory/evidence concern)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
76
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Avobenzone at #10, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #6
π
Fungal acne
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (PEG-8 Laurate, 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 #6
- β 16 Glycerin at #3, the anchor humectant
- β 1 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 Volatile alcohol at #6
- β 9 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #6), fast, even canvas
- β 3 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 3.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
π
Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +23 3 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Full ingredient list (21)
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
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 13 film former
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 38.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
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
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12 Polyester-5
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 7 film former
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Supporting ingredient
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Mexoryl SX), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 16.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
20 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
pH adjuster
Is La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Spray SPF 50+ good?
Yes, it scores 91.5/100 with excellent protection, making it one of the top picks. Its filter set includes Drometrizole Trisiloxane and Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid for strong UVA and UVB coverage.
Does the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Xl Spray Spf 50+ leave a white cast?
No, the white cast is low. The spray is lightweight with a balanced finish.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid sunscreen with a robust chemical filter set and broad UVA and UVB coverage.