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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 Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ .

Published on March 06, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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 German Brand Germany

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 Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+

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 (5)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (4)
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.

Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Homosalate

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Disliked

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 12.

4
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.

Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
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.

Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Also 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 Methoxydibenzoylmethane

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 4.

7
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.

Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 11.

8
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.

Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 25.

9
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Gum

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 33.

Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ contains this as ingredient number 28.

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

26% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
56% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet
27% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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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.

Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+ 33 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1) Light Scent (1) Works Well (1)
gaga's avatar

gaga

2 years ago · Skin
Review

broke me out :(

CustardBunny's avatar

CustardBunny

1 month ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

its fine, feels nice and smells nice. doesnt leave a white cast, a bit expensive for a nivea product. But im gonna wait a week and see if my faces...

its fine, feels nice and smells nice. doesnt leave a white cast, a bit expensive for a nivea product. But im gonna wait a week and see if my faces gets better or not without it.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ Anti-Shine Gel Cream.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Nivea Sun Soothing Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+.

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