La Roche-Posay Anthelios Airlicium SPF 80 Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Stick
Updated on February 01, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Airlicium SPF 80 44 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Stick 16 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
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Airlicium SPF 80 44 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Stick 16 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Triethanolamine
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Nylon-12
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silica Silylate
EmollientDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Titanium Dioxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Pentylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Triethanolamine, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Nylon-12, Propylene Glycol, Synthetic Wax, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Silylate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Poloxamer 338, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Myristic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Isohexadecane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDrometrizole Trisiloxane is a UV filter that provides both UV-A (344 nm) and UV-B (303 nm) protection.
This ingredient is photostable and studies show it to be generally safe and effective. The compound Meroxyl XL is owned by L'Oreal while Drometrizole trisiloxane can be found in other sunscreen brands.
It is currently approved for use in the EU, Canada, Australia, and Japan. However, it is not yet approved for use in the US.
This ingredient is often used with other sunscreen ingredients, such as Ecamsule.
Learn more about Drometrizole TrisiloxaneOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneSilica 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 SilicaTitanium Dioxide is a mineral (or physical) sunscreen ingredient that provides broad-spectrum protection by blocking both UV-A and UV-B rays.
It sits on the skin’s surface and primarily reflects and scatters UV light and also absorbs some of it.
This makes the line between “mineral” and “chemical” sunscreens a bit blurry, but in skincare labeling, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are the two ingredients officially classified as mineral filters.
Because it’s non-irritating, Titanium Dioxide is often recommended for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Thanks to modern production methods, nano-scale or fine-grade Titanium Dioxide is now widely used in cosmetics to reduce white cast and improve texture.
Despite its small particle size, studies show that Titanium Dioxide, even in nanoparticle form, is not absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
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