It’s time for another SPF review. This time it is the La Roche Posay Anthelios Hydrating Cream SPF 50. After being very disappointed in their other SPF – the Shaka Fluid – I was putting high hopes into this one. Mainly because La Roche Posay is my favourite skincare brand, but did it disappoint or exceed my expectations? Keep reading to find out.
About La Roche Posay
La Roche Posay is a french skincare brand that’s been around for a while. I like that they are science-based and that they are leading the market in the right direction – providing products that are affordable, well-researched and that work.
About La Roche Posay Anthelios Hydrating Cream SPF 50
La Roche Posay says: ‘Very high protection facial sunscreen in a moisturising formula for dry to very dry skin.
SPECIFICALLY FORMULATED FOR:
A moisturising facial sunscreen for dry, sensitive skin
Broad, photostable UVA/UVB & Infrared protection
Moisturising, ultra-comfortable cream formula’
The product has a very high, broad-spectrum sun protection factor. It’s intended for dry skins that have some sensitivity.
Ingredients
AQUA / WATER, DIISOPROPYL SEBACATE, GLYCERIN, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE ALCOHOL DENAT. PROPANEDIOL ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE ETHYLHEXYL TRIAZONE C12 – 22 ALKYLACRYLATE/HYDROXYETHYLACRYLATE COPOLYMER DROMETRIZOLE TRISILOXANE BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE SILICA TOCOPHEROL ISOPROPYL LAUROYL SARCOSINATE ACRYLATESCOPOLYMER AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER CAPRYLYL GLYCOL CITRIC ACID DISODIUM EDTA SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS EXTRACT / SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT EXTRACT T-BUTYL ALCOHOL TEREPHTHALYLIDENE DICAMPHOR SULFONIC ACID TRIETHANOLAMINE XANTHAN GUM. (CODE F.I.L. : C210021/1)
Once again, alcohol denat high up on the ingredient list. It’s not as high as in other LRP SPF I tried, but it’s high enough. And as someone with sensitive skin, it bothers me quite a bit. And it is, again, marketed as a product for sensitive, dry skin.
Packaging, texture and use
Packaging
The La Roche Posay Anthelios Hydrating Cream SPF50 comes in a pump bottle with a typical La Roche Posay design. The bottle is sturdy enough, and the pump makes it easy to dose the product. You already know I like products with pumps because they are more hygienic.
Texture
The texture of this product is a bit heavier than that of the Shaka Fluid. It is a thicker texture but is still easy to spread. It doesn’t leave a white cast, and it absorbs quickly.
Use
As with any other sunscreen product, you need to apply more than you think you should. In the case of this product, it is three pumps. Just to mention that I have a somewhat small face, and three pumps are enough to cover my entire face and neck, but for others, that might not be enough. As always, apply it as the last step of your morning skincare routine.
Who is a La Roche Posay Anthelios Hydrating Cream SPF 50 for?
La Roche Posay says:
‘SPECIFICALLY FORMULATED FOR:
A moisturising facial sunscreen for dry, sensitive skin.’
Similarly to the Shaka Fluid, this product is also supposed to be suitable for sensitive skin. But as someone with sensitive skin, I can confirm it is not. I would say it’s suitable for those with dry and normal to combination skin that is not sensitive at all. In the case of oily skin, this one might be too heavy and clog your pores.
My experience with La Roche Posay Anthelios Hydrating Cream SPF 50
I think you can already guess – I didn’t like this product. Even though Alcohol Denat is a bit lower in the ingredient list than in the Shaka FLuid, it’s still very high. And I can feel it.
Maybe not immediately, but after a few days of using this product, my skin is visibly redder, and I can feel the tightness in it. That is a sign that this product is both irritating and dehydrating my skin.
The texture of the La Roche Posay Anthelios Hydrating Cream SPF 50 is nice, and it does provide a good base for makeup. It doesn’t crumble or collect in the fine lines. And it also doesn’t leave a white cast.
I always try to give a product a good chance. But unfortunately, I had to discontinue using this sunscreen because of the effect it had on my skin.
Related post: Review: La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+
Conclusion
Unfortunately, La Roche Posay Anthelios Hydrating Cream SPF 50 is another failed product for me. Considering I bought it to use instead of the Shaka Fluid, thinking that it would be gentler on my sensitive skin makes me even sadder.
Especially because it comes from a brand I love, and that is usually on point with their products. But realistically, anything that contains Alcohol Denat (especially high up on the ingredients list) shouldn’t be marketed for those with sensitive skin.
Because all it does is irritate those skins even more and cause damage that will take a long time to fix.
That being said, if your skin isn’t sensitive, give this product a try. It has a high protection factor and sits nicely on the skin – with or without makeup.
Packaging: 4/5
It looks good and works good, but the design could look more appealing. It is just classic LRP packaging with its usual design.
Ingredients: 3/5
Just a tiny bit better, with Alcohol being a bit lower on the ingredient list. It is still too high up and still irritates my sensitive skin while being recommended for that type of skin.
Value: 5/5
The price of €19.95 for 50ml is another mid-range price point product. It lasts for about a month and a half to two months, depending on the frequency of use.
Overall: 3/5
La Roche Posay Anthelios Hydrating Cream SPF 50 is an ok product for a good price. It isn’t something I would recommend to anyone. Especially not for anyone with sensitive skin. It wouldn’t be my first choice for someone with normal skin either because using products with alcohol over a longer period can damage the barrier of your skin. Once damaged then takes time to repair. And in that time, you are more prone to other problems like acne and irritations.
Update:
La Roche Posay Anthelios Hydrating Cream SPF 50 has been discontinued and replaced by La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Hydrating Suncream SPF50 50ml. I haven’t tested the new formula, but I plan to do it soon.
