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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream versus Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on September 20, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen French Brand France
Sunscreen Japanese Brand Japan

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream

Starts at $32.99
Shop

Buy UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++

Starts at $8.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (8)
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (4)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

Ethylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.

It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.

Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.

It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Triazone

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.

Bemotrizinol has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. Skin exposed to UV causes free-radical molecules to form. This ingredient works by preventing the UV from reaching your skin.

It is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.

Bemotrizinol is not approved in the US but is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia.

In fact, it is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted by in the EU.

It is oil-soluble.

Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 9.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 16.

5
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 14.

6
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 26.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 33.

7
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 35.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 36.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

29% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
53% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream 34 ingredients

2.3 /5
from 3 ratings
YousifShamoon's avatar

YousifShamoon

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

what a joke
this was everything i didn't want in a sunscreen. way too thick and greasy, insane white cast, didn't spread nicely at all, and to top...

what a joke
this was everything i didn't want in a sunscreen. way too thick and greasy, insane white cast, didn't spread nicely at all, and to top it all off, it pilled all over my face no matter if i had any other products layered under it or not. i really tried to like this but i despise it and i cannot believe this costed me about 20€.

Luna's avatar

Luna

2 years ago · Combination Skin
Review

Love it. Has minimal whitecast and dries to a lovely, smooth, lightly matte finish. Great on its own and under makeup; I haven’t had issues with...

Love it. Has minimal whitecast and dries to a lovely, smooth, lightly matte finish. Great on its own and under makeup; I haven’t had issues with pilling.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ 34 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 20 ratings
Light (4) Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (2) Hydrating (1) Doesn't Work (1) Light Scent (1)
imyourdorito's avatar

imyourdorito

2 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

I'll start by saying that yes, this feels like practically nothing on the skin, and it's very similar to a primer as far as texture goes.

BUT...

I'll start by saying that yes, this feels like practically nothing on the skin, and it's very similar to a primer as far as texture goes.

BUT once applied, I didn't feel the same level of protection as with the European SPFs I used to use. I even applied half of each on my face to compare:

With the European one I experienced a cooling effect and didn't feel any heat touching my skin, it was like being hugged by icecream (a weird comparison, but it's the closest I can think of). Meanwhile, with this one, I didn't feel anything? I felt the heat touching my skin as much as on my non-protected areas, and there was no cooling effect whatsoever.

Is it cosmetically elegant? Yes. Is it cheaper than any European SPF? Yes. But I prefer not to play around with sun protection knowing the damage it can cause, and I don't feel 100% safe using this one.

JamimaShamimSoha_575's avatar

JamimaShamimSoha_575

9 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

no white cast, non comedogenic, gives a nice satin finish, ultra lightweight

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