An Unfiltered Review of La Roche-Posay Sunscreens, Tested and Approved By Our Beauty Editor
We’ve said it before: Sunscreen is a skincare nonnegotiable. No matter if you wear it daily to limit photodamage, preserve your skin’s collagen and elastin, keep your skin bright and spot-free, or want to do everything humanly possible to protect your skin from potential skin cancers, finding the right sunscreen that works day in and day out, can seem like a downright daunting task. Enter: La Roche-Posay, a line of dermatologist-backed skincare products known for its comprehensive sunscreens offering unparalleled UV protection. Our beauty editor, Elise Tabin, put three of the brand’s most popular sunscreens to the test and shares her La Roche-Posay sunscreen review and which formulas she’s stockpiling for spring and summer.
Editor Beauty Profile
- Skin Type: Oily and mature(ing)
- Skin Tone: Light
- Skin Concern(s): Discoloration, redness, fine lines and wrinkles, acne
About La Roche-Posay
Deep-rooted in the power of thermal French healing water, the original La Roche-Posay Laboraratoire Dermatologique was founded by Rene Levayer. Offering a wide array of affordable yet effective daily-use skincare products suitable for all skin types and tones, the global brand offers a robust product portfolio with a skincare solution for virtually every concern. At the heart of the brand is the exclusive Thermal Mineral Water (also used in dermatology treatments at the La Roche-Posay Dermatology Thermal Center), which is loaded with selenium, mineral sales, and trace elements and known for its soothing, softening, rebalancing, prebiotic, and antioxidant properties.
Today, the La Roche-Posay brand continues to support dermatology and serve the needs of patients and consumers daily. With a strong connection to the dermatology community and constantly pioneering new ways to support skin care needs, every product undergoes a rigorous development process for exceptional precision and efficacy to stay at the forefront of skincare science. The brand remains steadfast in its commitment to research-backed, dermatologist-developed, and tested skincare products that tap into cutting-edge topics, offering life-changing dermatological skincare that truly makes a difference.
La Roche-Posay Sunscreen Review
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Clear Daily Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50
$39.99
Perfect for all skin types, but especially those with acne or rosacea who find some sunscreens too harsh to use, this clear formula does a good job of protecting the skin from the sun’s UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburns. The non-comedogenic sunscreen is also powered by azelaic acid, giving the skin a healthy glow and dewy finish without instigating breakouts or redness and maintaining the skin barrier.
Active Ingredients: Azelaic acid, Cell-Ox shield technology, glycerin
SPF: 50
Skin Type: All skin types
Personal Review: “This fragrance-free, lightweight lotion goes on white but instantly morphs into a clear finish without clogging my pores or irritating my skin. I also like that it layers well under makeup without piling and gives my skin a gorgeous, natural glow. I wore this sunscreen on more than one occasion–during the day doing my normal routine, which doesn’t entail much sun exposure, and also for an outdoor Sunday brunch–and it always delivered. With this sunscreen, my skin never got the least red or burned.”
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Tone Daily Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50
$39.99
If pigmentation and discoloration are recurring skin issues, then this SPF 50 sunscreen is a must-have. Not only does the light-as-air formulation protect the skin from potential sun damage, but it also uses niacinamide to reduce the appearance of stubborn spots, leaving the skin looking more radiant. Wear it alone or under your makeup, but you can rest assured knowing your skin is well protected.
Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, Cell-Ox shield technology
SPF: 50
Skin Type: All skin types
Personal Review: “Most sunscreens feel heavy and chalky on my skin, causing it to feel dried out, but not this one. The ultra-light formula, which is packed with skin-softening hydrators, seamlessly blends into my skin, leaving behind nothing but a sheer, dry finish without making my skin feel depleted of moisture. I also like that it doesn’t smell like sunscreen (yuck!), and it helps to even out my skin tone, so it’s more balanced. Since incorporating this sunscreen into my daily skincare routine, I have noticed less blotchiness in my skin and fewer dark spots rising to the surface.”
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Pro Sport SPF 50
$32.99
This water-resistant sunscreen is ideal for days when a high-performance formula is needed to withstand the sun during sports and intense exercise. The non-greasy, dermatologist-tested, and athlete-approved SPF blends seamlessly into the skin, leaving behind no white residue or thick, opaque residue. It’s also formulated not to drip or run into the eyes or stain clothing and won’t irritate more sensitive skin types, either.
Active Ingredients: Cell-Ox shield technology, glycerin, vitamin B5, niacinamide, vitamin E, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water
SPF: 50
Skin Type: All skin types
Personal Review: “I love how airy and breathable this sunscreen is. Even though I’m not an athlete or outdoor exerciser, I did wear this sunscreen outdoors and never felt like I had a heavy cream or lotion on my skin. Instead, the luxurious formulation felt nice on my skin and spread evenly, so I felt like I protected every square inch of my skin well.”
The Bottom Line
Any well-rounded skin care routine incorporates a broad-spectrum sunscreen because, without one, all your skincare efforts are null and void. Since it’s nearly impossible to avoid the sun entirely, the next best thing to protect it from damaging UV rays while preserving the integrity of your skin is a well-devised sunscreen routine. Naturally, different days and events call for different formulations, and the best way to keep your skin safe from the sun is to use one of these formulas covered in our La Roche-Posay sunscreen review. With the right one for your skin and its needs, you’ll feel at ease knowing that the dermatologist-recommended brand is designed to provide stellar sun defense backed by science for the best skin of your life.
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with more than 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine, where she reported on beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. A self-professed beauty junkie and retinol and sunscreen pusher, Elise knows what’s new, what works and who’s the best to go for every procedure under the sun. Follow Elise on Facebook, Instagram, and on her beauty blog, elisetabin.com
Related Posts
How to Pick the Best EltaMD Sunscreen for You for the Ultimate Sun Protection
