Today I’m bringing you another review of sunscreen. This time it is the La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+ Review. As you already know, LRP is one of my favourite brands. But this time, I don’t have words of praise. Keep reading to find out why.
About La Roche Posay
La Rohe Posay is a French pharmacy brand most often recommended by dermatologists. They say: ‘we partner with dermatologists worldwide to create a cleansing and moisturising formulas your skin deserves. Solutions so efficient they can improve your quality of life.
For that we radically lead science and microbiome. We design formulas and services with skin concerns in mind, for maximum efficacy combined with optimal tolerance.’
About La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+
What does LRP say:
Ultra-resistant formula specifically developed for sensitive skin. A very high protection, broad-spectrum (PPD 46, SPF 50+) comfortable fluid formula that is ultra water, sweat and sand resistant. This non-greasy cream does not leave white marks and does not migrate. Non-eye-stinging.
Active
- Very high, broad, photostable UVA/UVB/Infrared protection. Optimal SPF 50+ protection reinforced against UVA rays (PPD 46, stricter than the European recommendation) thanks to patented filtering system Mexoplex® combined with La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water.
Dermatologically tested
- Anthelios efficacy has been demonstrated via clinical studies carried out in-vivo on subjects suffering from sun intolerances, particularly those caused by UVA rays. Anthelios products all have a high PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) factor. The efficacy has been proven by a file of 16 clinical studies carried out by world-renowned expert dermatologists.
- 9/10 of dermatologists would recommend Anthelios*
Minimalist hypo-alergenic formula
- The minimalist formula contains the best of our creations – designed for sensitive skin and all of its needs. Tested and re-tested for its efficacy and mildness on sensitive skin. It is also hypoallergenic.
All of that looks great in theory. But, unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that at all, especially the last point that states that this product is designed for sensitive skin. Honestly, I think this is one of the worst SPFs for sensitive skin.
And, I’ll show you why in the next paragraph.
Ingredients
AQUA / WATER, ALCOHOL DENAT, DIISOPROPYL SEBACATE, SILICA, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE, ETHYLHEXYL TRIAZONE, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, GLYCERIN, C12-22 ALKYL ACRYLATE/HYDROXYETHYLACRYLATE COPOLYMER, PROPANEDIOL, DROMETRIZOLE TRISILOXANE, PERLITE, TOCOPHEROL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, TEREPHTHALYLIDENE DICAMPHOR SULFONIC ACID, TRIETHANOLAMINE, TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE
What do you see when you read this ingredient list? You don’t have to go far to see it.
Alcohol Denat in the 2nd place! That means that after water, this product has the most amount of alcohol denat. And they say it’s designed for sensitive skin.
I’m always trying to be reasonable and understand the role of the ingredients in skincare. And I’m aware that alcohol denat has antimicrobial properties, helps with the penetration of the products, prevents the product from being too heavy, and it’s a great solvent.
But to put it so high up on the ingredient list. And then call the product suitable for sensitive skin. I think not!
There are better solutions to this.
Or keep the alcohol denat in it but don’t label the product as suitable for sensitive skin when it’s more suitable for very oily skin. It’s a very misleading move from the team at La Roche Posay.
Packaging, texture and use
Packaging
The La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+ comes in an unusual-shaped bottle compared to the rest of the sunscreens. But it looks cute and small enough to fit in your handbag. The bottle opening on the top is small enough to prevent dispensing too much product. Also, there is a ball (or something else?) inside the bottle that helps mix the product when you shake it.
Texture
The texture is very light but also very runny. It makes it a bit harder to apply the product without spilling it everywhere. Especially if you want to measure it as the length of your two fingers – it’s practically impossible without the SPF running all over your hands. Regardless of that, the texture is a nice change from the usual thicker SPFs, and it absorbs quickly and effortlessly.
Use
La Roche Posay says to apply the product generously 30 minutes before sun exposure. And that’s what you should do with any SPF.
But as I said above, the ultra-light texture makes it a bit harder to apply this SPF. I feel like I’m putting on a bit thicker toner when applying this product. And to apply a toner, I use cotton pads. Hopefully, this paints you a picture of how runny this is.
Who is La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+ For?
Even though La Roche Posay says this fluid is suitable for every skin type, I highly disagree with that. I think it’s only suitable for those with very oily skin that find it hard to find a sunscreen that won’t make them look shinier.
But even for those people, I wouldn’t recommend using this every day of the year. I would swap it for some product with less alcohol a few months a year to give the skin a break and a chance to repair the barrier from all that alcohol.
My experience with Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+
Unfortunately, my experience with this product wasn’t great. Unlike all the other reviews I read online, I found the product extremely drying and irritating. As my face is always a bit red, I didn’t immediately notice the extent of damage this product was doing. But after only a few days, I started noticing flaking between my eyebrows and on my cheeks. And the redness was only getting more and more intense. Once I swapped the product for something else, the flaking disappeared, and the redness went down.
Also, I found the smell of the alcohol so overpowering that I felt like I did a shot of vodka every time I applied this to my face.
Regardless of the side effects, I feel like it did protect well, as I didn’t get any sun damage or sunburn while using it.
Conclusion – La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+
Unfortunately, I can’t hide or tone down my disappointment with this product. I should’ve known better after seeing the alcohol in second place. But after reading a few reviews online and all being positive, I still decided to try it. I did try to get a hold of a tester before buying the full size, but because of Covid, my local shop removed all testers (which I fully support). But, I wish La Roche Posay supplied single-use samples to try out a product before buying. It would save me money.
Not to be completely negative, but at least I learnt a lesson. Trust your gut! If you check the ingredient list (which I highly urge you to do) and see something like a big irritant very high up on the ingredient list, don’t bother trying the product out. Unless you don’t have sensitive skin and you can generally tolerate the products really well. Then experiment, and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Packaging: 4/5
The packaging is cute, and the ball inside the bottle to help mix the product is fantastic. I just prefer packagings that are airless (something like a pump).
Ingredients: 2/5
It might seem excessive to be so negative about a product just because of one ingredient, but I think this formula is a big mistake. Don’t get me wrong, the actual sun protection ingredients are great. And it is broad-spectrum protection with a high factor, but that alcohol denat bothers me so much. And the fact they label it as suitable for sensitive skin.
Value: 4/5
For the price of €20.45, I consider it a mid-price range. It’s a price you would usually pay for a pharmacy skincare product. And it is a broad-spectrum, high protection factor for that price is pretty great. I can’t tell you how long would it last as I discontinued use after about a week.
Have you tried this product? Did you like it, or were you like me and really disliked it?
Related posts:
The importance of SPF and which one to choose
Avene Very High Protection Anti-Ageing SPF50+ Review
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