Avène Anti Imperfection Fluid SPF 50 Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Face Sunscreen-SPF 60
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPhenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine
Stabilising
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC9-12 Alkane
SolventLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Tapioca Starch
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Lens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Oryza Sativa Starch, Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, C9-12 Alkane, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Benzoic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Laurate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, CI 17200, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Nylon-12
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin Protecting
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Dicaprylyl Ether, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8 Laurate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, P-Anisic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
