La Roche-Posay Anthelios Xl Ultra Light Fluid Spf 50+
85/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+ is a hybrid chemical sunscreen built on an advanced filter system including Mexoryl-type filters, ethylhexyl triazone, and a Tinosorb-type triazine for excellent-rated protection. It wears very light with a matte finish, keeps a low white cast, and works excellently under makeup, though it rates medium on the stinging scale. It is low on the pore-clogging scale. With a score of 84.7/100 it is a top-tier daily face sunscreen.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
96
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +12.8 Octocrylene at #8, UV filter
- +32 Drometrizole Trisiloxane at #10, UV filter (UVA1 +11.2)
- +13.2 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #15, UV filter
- +28.8 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #17, UV filter (UVA1 +9.6)
- +8.4 Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid at #21, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- β11.2 UVB coverage saturated
- β18.5 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
67
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Octocrylene at #8 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #7, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
54
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #7, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β7 Octocrylene at #8, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β18 Volatile alcohol at #3
- β5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
π
Fungal acne
Medium
73
- +100 Starting score
- β27 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, PEG-8 Laurate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate)
π
Fabric stains
High
20
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #7, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #8, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Mexoryl XL at #10, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 22 Volatile alcohol at #3
- β 9 4 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Silica Silylate, Zea Mays Starch, β¦)
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 10 Glycerin at #4, the anchor humectant
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 8 4 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Zea Mays Starch, Silica Silylate, β¦)
- β 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
- β 5 Volatile alcohol at #3
- β 4 2 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isononyl Isononanoate)
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Excellent
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 12 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #3), fast, even canvas
- β 6 2 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 4 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 1.5 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
Full ingredient list (34)
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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Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
- β 5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
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4 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- β 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 12.8 UV protection
- β 7 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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9 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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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
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
-
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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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 28.8 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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18 Isododecane
Volatile hydrocarbon, flashes off for a light finish
- light β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
- matte β 1 volatile carrier, flashes off
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Supporting ingredient
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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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)
-
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
pH adjuster
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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28 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
30 Dodecene
Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
34 Perlite
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
What SPF is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Xl Ultra Light Fluid Spf 50+ and is it good?
It is SPF 50+ with protection rated excellent. With a score of 84.7/100 it is a top-tier daily face sunscreen.
Does the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Xl Ultra Light Fluid Spf 50+ work under makeup?
Yes, it rates excellent as a makeup base. It wears very light with a matte finish and a low white cast, though it rates medium on the stinging scale.
Is this sunscreen mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid chemical sunscreen using an advanced filter system including Mexoryl-type filters, ethylhexyl triazone, and a Tinosorb-type triazine. It has no mineral filters.