La Roche-Posay Mela B3 SPF 30
88/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 SPF 30 is a hybrid sunscreen combining modern filters like Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine and Drometrizole Trisiloxane with Avobenzone. It has a balanced finish with low white cast and a lightweight feel, sits comfortably under makeup, and does not tend to sting. With a score of 87.6/100 and excellent protection, it is an excellent everyday choice.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
95
- +20.9 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #5, UV filter
- +45.6 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +32 Drometrizole Trisiloxane at #9, UV filter (UVA1 +11.2)
- +24 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #10, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- β15.6 UVB coverage saturated
- β12.7 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
90
- +100 Starting score
- β10 Avobenzone at #10 (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
98
- +100 Starting score
- β2 Titanium Dioxide as pigment (CI 77891) at #14
π₯
Eye sting
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Avobenzone at #10, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β8 Fragrance
π
Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-2 Laurate)
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
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 10 Glycerin at #6, the anchor humectant
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 4 2 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate)
- β 3 1 emollient lipids (C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 5 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 1.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βSkincare 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¨ Niacinamide
Full ingredient list (40)
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
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150)
- β 20.9 UV protection
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6 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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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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8 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
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
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 3 β dewy emollient lipid
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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13 Cellulose
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Colorant or pigment
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
16 Tin Oxide
Colorant or pigment
-
17 Hydroxide K
pH adjuster
-
18 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
-
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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29 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
31 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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35 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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38 Mica
Colorant or pigment
-
39 Ci 14700
Colorant or pigment
-
40 Fragrance
Fragrance
Is La Roche-Posay Mela B3 SPF 30 a good sunscreen?
Yes, it scores 87.6/100 with excellent protection, placing it among the stronger everyday options. It is a well-rounded choice for daily face use.
Does the La Roche-Posay Mela B3 SPF 30 leave a white cast?
No, it rates low on white cast with a balanced finish, so it blends into skin without a visible layer.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid sunscreen. It combines modern filters like Ethylhexyl Triazone and Drometrizole Trisiloxane with Avobenzone, with no significant mineral content.