La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50 Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Pro-Sport Sunscreen SPF 50
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Titanium Dioxide 11%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientUndecane
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Nylon-12
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveTridecane
PerfumingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientTalc
AbrasiveDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingIron Oxides
Alumina
AbrasivePolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMagnesium Sulfate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventCassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
AbsorbentBenzoic Acid
MaskingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTitanium Dioxide 11%, Water, Isododecane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Undecane, Triethylhexanoin, Isohexadecane, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Nylon-12, Caprylyl Methicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Silica, Tridecane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Talc, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Aluminum Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Iron Oxides, Alumina, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, PEG-8 Laurate, Stearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Tocopherol, Propylene Carbonate, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Benzoic Acid, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 13%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 10%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasiveCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
PEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 13%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Niacinamide, Silica, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-8 Laurate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate (DESM) is a photostabilizer, antioxidant, and SPF booster.
One of DESM's main roles is stabilizing UV filters, especially avobenzone. Avobenzone is notoriously unstable when exposed to sunlight. By enhancing the stability of these filters, DESM helps maintain the sunscreen's effectivess through wear. It also helps improve protection against long-wave UVA rays by increasing the wavelength of the formula.
Besides enhancing UVA protection, DESM can boost the SPF of high-SPF formulations by up to 5 units.
DESM also preserves the color integrity of cosmetic products and helps reduce the chance of yellowing of fading due to light exposure.
This ingredient is typically found in concentrations between 0.3% - 0.5%. There are currently no maximum usage limits by regulatory bodies.
Though this ingredient is a chemical UV filter, it can often be found in "100% mineral" sunscreens. This is due to regulatory loopholes.
Learn more about Diethylhexyl SyringylidenemalonateDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconePEG-8 Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaThis ingredient is a synthetic polymer that mainly works as a film former. It creates a thin, flexible film on the surface of your skin. Once applied, it helps improves wear, durability, and resistance to water/smudging.
Due to its large molecule size, it sits on top of your skin rather than absorbing into it.
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