La Roche-Posay La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Face Sunscreen-SPF 60 Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Air SPF 60
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 10%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 7%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Nylon-12
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Dicaprylyl Ether, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8 Laurate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, P-Anisic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPerlite
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTriethanolamine
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Niacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingMyristic Acid
CleansingParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, Silica, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Perlite, Hydroxyacetophenone, Triethanolamine, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Myristic Acid, Parfum
Reviews
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 an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
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 SilicaTocopherol 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