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La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen review: Does the French pharmacy brand live up to the hype?
Its award-winning mineral and tinted SPF 50 sunscreens are ultra popular, but do they work?
The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is somewhat legendary, particularly among American beauty editors who rave about its smooth, even coverage; its silky, non-greasy, no-white-cast finish; its high protection and the fact that it's suitable for all skin types — including the most sensitive and acne prone. This is especially true of the La Roche-Posay sunscreens you can buy in Europe, where SPF formulas are stronger and, often, of higher quality (American sunscreens are widely considered inferior to what's available in Europe and Asia as the FDA is famously slow to approve new UV filters — the last time was in 1996).
Still, among dermatologists and beauty experts, La Roche-Posay's sun protection products have a reputation for being among the best, even the U.S. versions. The French skin-care company was founded in 1975 (it's named after the town in France where it was formed) and has remained a pioneer on the dermatology scene since, consistently creating the kinds of gentle, non-irritating, skin-nourishing, research-backed creams and serums we all search for, at a relatively reasonable price. I've had this brand on my "must try" list for years. Here's what I found when I finally dove in.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen SPF 50 Review
The award-winning La Roche-Posay Anthelios sunscreen is considered among the best in the world.
- Lightweight
- Good for sensitive skin
- Smooth, easy application
- Leaves skin feeling soft
- Reef safe
- Protects and nourishes skin
- Pricey
- Matte finish can be a tiny bit ghostly
Though there are multiple face and body options to choose from, I tested the most famous of the La Roche-Posay sunscreens: the tinted and un-tinted SPF 50 for face from the Anthelios line. Now, I'm always skeptical of products that receive over-the-top hype, but these sunscreens were stellar pretty much out of the gate. The texture was lightweight, almost watery (like a thin day cream), which soaked into my skin on contact. Once on, the formula looked natural, with no greasy feel, no stickiness and no glossy sheen. In fact, this is my only complaint about the Anthelios face sunscreens: They're matte, which is not always the best for mature skin. On the plus side, they're fragrance-free, and, even when I went super close to my eyes, the cream didn't sting. All in all, I'd give the application experience a 9/10.
Is La Roche-Posay a mineral or chemical sunscreen?
The Anthelios line is a collection of mineral sunscreens. Unlike chemical sunscreens (which absorb into the skin), mineral sunscreens like these use literal minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to create a physical shield that protects skin from UV light, which is why they're sometimes referred to as "physical" sunscreens. Expert opinions differ on what is better for protecting the skin from harsh rays — but, because mineral sunscreens tend to work better for sensitive skin, they're usually recommended and preferred for those who need a more gentle formulation.
Are La Roche-Posay sunscreens reef safe?
Yes, La Roche-Posay sunscreens are all marine- and reef-safe. According to the brand, their formulas have been independently tested by external organizations like Tara Pacific and Scientific Center of Monaco, and proven to have no adverse effects on marine life. Additionally, they're 70% biodegradable.
Does La Roche-Posay sunscreen work?
Our reviewer favored this subtly-tinted version of the La Roche-Posay Anthelios classic.
- Silky texture
- Powerful coverage
- Safe for all skin types
- Reef-safe
- Unscented
- Complexion smoothing
- Pricey
- "Universal" tint may not work for darker skin tones
Short answer: Yes! And, actually, it works quite well. I used the La Roche-Posay Anthelios sunscreens for a week each, applying in the morning before I went out to walk the dog, before longer hikes at high noon and twice in full sun for over an hour at the beach.
The broad spectrum formula provides UVA/UVB protection and it's packed with antioxidants, which help fortify skin. Additionally, these products are water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, so they're great for everyday use (but not as great for a day in the pool).
Of the two, I slightly preferred the subtly-tinted version which smoothed my complexion and hid my visible pores in a way that resembled high-quality skin care. The non-tinted version is good as well, though it left a a matte cast which I liked slightly less.
Final verdict: La Roche-Posay makes stellar sunscreens for everyday use, though try something stronger if you're super-active or plan on being in water for an extended period of time.
