Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt in Milk Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 100
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 31 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt in Milk Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 100 32 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 31 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt in Milk Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 100 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Styrene
Perfuming
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate-13
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-2 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentHomosalate 10%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Styrene, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyacrylate-13, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycereth-2 Cocoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Panthenol, Arginine, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 15%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 15%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Caprylyl Methicone, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, PEG-8 Laurate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Chlorphenesin, P-Anisic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolWe don't have a description for Cassia Alata Leaf Extract yet.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 31 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt in Milk Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 100 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 31 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt in Milk Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 100 32 ingredients
Shine city
The picture on this product page shows SPF 50 but title says SPF 100... lol. This is for the SPF 100 version, and holy moly it's the shiniest sunscreen I have tried yet to date. I really wanted the SPF 100 because there are so few of them on the market but it's just so immediately eye blindingly shiny and greasy. When I used this my oily skin didn't even stand a chance at being slick Show more
