This sunscreen has gone through many names and formulas, each one better than the last. It was a 2016 favorite, a travel essential, been in many empties posts since, and has consistently tested for both high UVA and UVB protection.
Given how much I gush about it, a detailed review is long overdue! Let’s dive into why I’m so in love with the La Roche Posay Anthelios sunscreen (European version!) and why you should be too!
Table of Contents
Overview
What is it
A very high protection, broad spectrum, comfortable fluid formula that is ultra water, sweat and sand resistant. 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.
Protection Factor
Labeled: SPF 50+, UVA with a circle, meaning a PPD of at least 16.66 (1/3 of UVB protection, PA++++)
Actual Tests: SPF50+, PPD46 according to 16 clinical studies carried out by world renowned expert dermatologists.
Filters
Octisalate, Tinosorb S, Uvinul T 150, Avobenzone, Mexoryl 400, Uvinul A Plus, Mexoryl XL, Mexoryl SX
Best suited for
All skin types participating in extended outdoor activities (e.g.. hiking, beach trips, etc.).
Things to note
Contains alcohol but is fragrance-free. Water resistant up to 80 minutes, no white cast, no pilling, and doesn’t sting the eyes.
Packaging
A white plastic squeeze bottle. The flat rectangular shape makes it easy to fit in your purse for reapplication on the go! Definitely one of the more travel friendly packaging I’ve come across.
Scent
No discernable scent, maybe a faint “chemical” smell from the ingredients but it dissipates quickly.
Texture
A watery milk with a yellow tint. There’s an initial oily feel but it’s not heavy or sticky. If anything it’s one of the runniest sunscreens I’ve tried! Easy to apply and spread.
Finish
Sets quickly to a smooth and satin finish. It’s neither drying nor moisturizing. Does feel more noticeable than your typical Korean sunscreens since it’s water resistant, but it’s not uncomfortable.
Available For
50ml for ~$20 on Box of Color ($4 shipping), Perfumes Club ($12 shipping), OneBioShop ($11 shipping), eBay, Escentual and CultBeauty (can’t ship to the US)
Product Demo
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La Roche Posay Anthelios Uvmune 400 Ingredients
The reason why this is my holy grail outdoors sunscreen? The seriously impressive selection of UV filters, 3 of which are exclusive to L’Oréal products:
- Octisalate is your standard UVB filter, and unfortunately not a very strong one by itself, but it’s a team player and works well with other filters.1
- Tinosorb S protects against both UVA and UVB. A study of 18 filters actually found this to have one of the best SPF protection, plus it’s incredibly stable and safe.1
- Uvinul T 150 protects against UVB. It’s extremely stable and just a small % is needed to give high SPF protection.
- Avobenzone protects against both UVA-I and UVA-II and actually has the best coverage of all UVA filters, but it’s pretty unstable. Luckily pairing it with Tinosorb S helps improve its stability!2
- Mexoryl400 is a new filter that protects against longer wavelengths in the UVA range. If you refer to the chart below, you’ll see that it’s currently the only filter that protects the full 380–400 nm, where photodamage is still a concern.3
- Uvinul A Plus also protects against UVA-I and UVA-II. It’s stable and studies show that only minimal amount gets absorbed into the skin.
- Mexoryl SX protects against most of the UVA range and is typically found in L’Oréal group sunscreens, so seeing it here is a nice surprise! It’s stable, safe, and tested to not be harmful against coral reefs.4
- Mexoryl XL is usually paired with SX above to create a synergy effect.5 Together the two protect against both UVB and UVA rays. It’s stable, safe, and coral reef friendly.4
Asides from the filters, there’s also:
- Vitamin E for a small antioxidant boost and extra UVB protection.
- Glycerin to add some moisturizing properties.
- La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, the core of all LRP products. According to Dermatologist Dr. Anna Karp, it’s rich in skin soothing minerals and contains the antioxidant selenium.
No additional antioxidants or botanical extracts, which is totally ok with me. Your sunscreen isn’t supposed to penetrate into the skin anyways, so those beneficial ingredients are mostly wasted. They key to good sun protection is in the filters, which this has plenty of.
Now it does include alcohol, and that’s necessary to help keep the texture as elegant and lightweight as possible. You can’t expect incredible protection and for the sunscreen to feel like nothing, let’s not get too greedy here! Plus, it doesn’t feel drying in the slightest, nor does it irritate my skin. So unless you’re extremely sensitive to the ingredient, I wouldn’t worry about it.
How to use the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen
Steps and tips on how to best apply sunscreen to ensure proper protection and prevent pilling!
- Apply in the morning as the last step in your skincare routine.
- Moisturizer required if you have dry or normal skin, as this sunscreen isn't moisturizing at all on its own.
- Wait for the moisturizer to dry down before applying sunscreen for best results.
- Use the two finger method to ensure adequate application for your face, and apply one finger at a time.
- Layer one finger’s worth of product at a time to help with blending. Be careful as the texture is quite runny!
- Use another finger for your neck.
- Wait for sunscreen to fully set (less than 30 seconds) before applying makeup.
Notes
To help with application and reapplication, you can use a damp makeup sponge or cushion puff to pat the sunscreen in!
Usage Experience & Results
On initial application it can feel greasy, luckily it sets quickly, and the whole experience is similar to applying a dry oil. Yes you can definitely feel its presence, but it’s neither heavy nor uncomfortable, and it doesn’t pill, sting my eyes, or turn me into a ghost. It also layers beautifully under makeup!
Obviously this is an overkill as an everyday sunscreen, but if I’m outdoors and will be sweating, it’s excellent. I can tell it’s sweat resistant by how the sunscreen doesn’t rub off when I sweat, as there’s no milky residue on tissues when I’m wiping my face.
But the true test is how the Uvmune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50 prevents tanning and new pigmentation forming, even when I’m in the sun all day and don’t always reapply diligently (sometimes you’re just having too much fun and forget!). To me that is proof that its ultra long UVA protection is working. Of course, no burning or redness either!
Despite its incredible protection, it’s not any more difficult to remove than other sunscreens. Any good oil or balm cleanser will work well, just make sure to emulsify first before rinsing, and follow up with a water-based cleanser after.
What Others Say
This might just be the SPF to end all SPFs.
Hannah Coates, Vogue Beauty Editor
I would and will repurchase, this version is, as much as the previous one was, my go-to for outdoor days or days at the beach.
Doctor Anne, oily skin
Due to my sensitive skin sun cream tends to make things worse. However this product is very light and thin. Does not clog up my pores and feels good once applied.
Escentual review, sensitive skin
Similar Sunscreens to Consider
Allie Extra UV Gel N
Feels noticeably more moisturizing, so dry skin types will like it. The finish also feels lighter on the skin, so I was using it as an everyday sunscreen, but experiments have shown that it performs well when worn for long hours in the sun. My backup if I can’t buy the LRP.
Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk
Probably the most famous waterproof Japanese sunscreen, known for being notoriously difficult to wash off, but also excellent for outdoors use. I tried this years ago and liked it well enough, it has a similar milky texture to the LRP.
🌞 Looking for other similar sunscreens? Find and compare 90+ sunscreens tailored to your skin’s needs in my extensive sunscreen database! Explore now
Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti-Dark Spots Face Fluid
Another EU sunscreen from the L’Oréal group with almost identical filters, including Mexoryl XL and SX. Haven’t personally tried this but the reviews I’ve seen on Instagram have been positive!
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Sunscreen for Face SPF 60
The really watered down version that we get in the US because our dumb FDA can’t approve the better filters. Similar texture, though the US version feels less runny and a hint more moisturizing. I trust the UVB protection, but UVA, not so much.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid
The physical/mineral version for those that prefer zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. I haven’t tried this one personally, but the filter % is surprisingly low given the high protection, so at the very least white cast shouldn’t be an issue?
Previous Anthelios Invisible Fluid versions
I’ve tried every iteration of this sunscreen since 6+ years ago, and the texture is very much the same. However, with the addition of Mexoryl 400 you now get protection up to the 400nm range! Definitely an improvement from its predecessors.
Final Verdict
Pros
- The only sunscreen that protects against long range UVA (>380nm). Surprisingly elegant and non-greasy formula despite the strong sun protection.
- Easy to carry on the go and reapply.
- Sweat and water resistant makes it perfect for outdoor activities.
- Effectively protects against sun burns, tans, and dark spots from forming.
Cons
- Expensive and difficult to buy from the US.
- Can easily go through the bottle in a few days if you’re applying on your body as well.
- An overkill as an everyday sunscreen.
Scores & Summary
-
Ingredients
10/10
-
Packaging
9/10
-
Texture/Application
9/10
-
Performance
10/10
-
Price
7/10
I’ve tried a lot of options, and this is by far the best sunscreen that effectively protects against UV rays when you’re outdoors. It’s my go-to whenever I travel, and it’s yet to fail me, with each new formulation getting better than the last. For such a potent sunscreen, I think it lives up to the “ultra light” claim quite well, and I can see it working for all skin types, from dry to oily skin. My forever holy grail and I will never be without it.
FAQs
- Is Anthelios UVMune 400 waterproof?
Yes, it’s labeled as “ultra water, sweat and sand resistant”, which means it has passed an 80-minute water resistance test. You can also confirm this by applying the spray test to the sunscreen after it sets. When you spray water on your skin, you should see water droplets form like beads on the skin. You can compare this to what the water looks like on skin without sunscreen.
- Is La Roche Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 a chemical sunscreen?
Yes, all the active ingredients found are considered “chemical” filters.
- Do you use Anthelios invisible fluid before or after moisturizer?
Always apply sunscreen after your moisturizer as the last step in your morning routine! Sunscreen does not and should not be absorbed into the skin!
- Does La Roche Posay invisible fluid clog pores?
None of the ingredients featured are considered comedogenic. However, it’s also important to double cleanse at night so you can properly remove the sunscreen.
Article Sources
To keep my content accurate and trustworthy, I rely on peer-reviewed studies, articles from reputable academic institutions, and quotes from certified healthcare professionals to back my claims.
Couteau C;Pommier M;Paparis E;Coiffard LJ. “Study of the Efficacy of 18 Sun Filters Authorized in European Union Tested in Vitro.” Die Pharmazie, vol. 62, no. 6, 2021, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17663193/.
Chatelain E;Gabard B. “Photostabilization of Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) and Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate by Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S), a New UV Broadband Filter.” Photochemistry and Photobiology, vol. 74, no. 3, 2023, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11594052/, https://doi.org/10.1562/0031-8655(2001)074<0401:pobmaa>2.0.co;2
Lawrence, Karl P., et al. “The UV/Visible Radiation Boundary Region (385–405 Nm) Damages Skin Cells and Induces “Dark” Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimers in Human Skin in Vivo.” Scientific Reports, vol. 8, no. 1, 24 Aug. 2018, www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-30738-6#Abs1, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30738-6.
Fel, Jean-Pierre, et al. “Photochemical Response of the Scleractinian Coral Stylophora Pistillata to Some Sunscreen Ingredients.” Coral Reefs, vol. 38, no. 1, 29 Dec. 2018, pp. 109–122, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00338-018-01759-4, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-018-01759-4.
Moyal, Dominique. “Prevention of Ultraviolet-Induced Skin Pigmentation.” Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine, vol. 20, no. 5, Oct. 2004, pp. 243–247, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15379874/, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0781.2004.00111.x.
Hi, have you tried the Anthelios UVmune 400 spf50 Creme Hydratante? Does it give the same feel and perform the same under make up (no pilling, creasing, not hot or filmy on face) ? Can’t find the fluid bottle anywhere, and I’m scared to order online, so many fake products. (sorry submitted 2x forgot to tick notif box below)
No I have not, but I did try what was a previous version of this, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Cream Comfort, so I imagine the texture would be similar. The Creme version is definitely more moisturizing and a little heavier, but still not bad considering how high the protection is. No pilling, creasing, or film. My dry skin was ok with it in Taiwan’s May/June weather but it definitely feels “hotter” than the fluid version. Could be good for the winter or if your skin is super dry. Hope this helps!
Just found your blog and have learned so much from it. How concerned should we be about sun protection ingredients that contribute to aging? Is there an easy way to avoid those ingredients? Still very dizzy seeing names of all these chemicals.
Hi June, I’m so glad you found my blog helpful! I’ve never heard of sun protection ingredients contributing to aging, can you share where you got this information from, and which ingredients in particular? I know a lot of filters found in US sunscreens get a bad rep, which is why I always prefer Asian/European/Australian sunscreens instead. The filters used in those sunscreens are generally much safer (and better)!
Does the LRP sunscreen do well under foundation? I will be attending an outdoor event during the summer and want to make sure my skin is protected. However, some water resistant sunscreens I have tried cause my foundation to separate on my face or they end up causing raised bumps when used under makeup.
I’ve never had an issue with foundation while wearing this sunscreen! If anything, this is probably one of best in terms of layering under makeup in my experience, and my go to whenever I travel. Hope this helps!
Truly my all time favorite for the beach and other outdoor activities.
Anne from Doctor Anne