Lancaster Sun Perfect Illuminating Cream SPF50 Versus La Roche-Posay Anthelios Uvmune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract
MaskingCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFarnesol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningHydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Lecithin
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPalmitic Acid
Emollient
PEG-8
HumectantPiper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingPongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Homosalate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Octocrylene, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Alcohol, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Aluminum Stearate, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Cinnamal, Citral, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Disodium EDTA, Ectoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Farnesol, Geraniol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Hydroxycitronellal, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Lecithin, Limonene, Linalool, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Maltodextrin, Mica, Palmitic Acid, PEG-8, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Parfum, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingMethoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate
Stabilising
Perlite
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Triethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Alcohol Denat., Triethyl Citrate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Propanediol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Citrate, Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate, Perlite, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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
