Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF50+ Reviews

I use several La Rosche Posay products as part of my skincare regime, so I was very keen to add the Anthelios XL ultra light spf50+ to my day. The first thing I noticed was how small the bottle looked, but it does say it’s 50ml. The instructions say to shake well before use to ensure the product is well mixed. The product itself is VERY fluid, making it easy to apply to the skin. It’s not at all thick like many sunscreens. It has hardly any scent and what little scent there is disappears quickly once applied. It does cast a slight white hue when first applied, but I found that it soaked into my skin quickly and the white was gone once it did. It does leave a slight greasy feel initially, but after a couple of minutes it dries to a finish that almost feels a bit like a primer. I used the product with and without make up and found that without makeup my face stayed reasonably matte throughout the day. Used with makeup (dermalogica liquid and nude by nature powder, on different days) the product did not interfere with the application of either make up. No pilling, which I love!
I spent a couple of hours in the full sun at the beach and had no burning at all. The spf50+ rating is awesome and it protects against uva and uvb rays.
I do have sensitive skin, which is why I already use a few La Rosche Posay products, but I have had no issues with this product at all. I have an oily t zone but did not find this to be oily or greasy like some sunscreens can be. I really do love this product and it is definitely going to stay as part of my daily skincare routine.

I didn't know what to expect with a sunscreen specifically for my face as my pores get clogged easily and I haven't tried products by La Roche-Posay before, even though I've heard they are quality products, but this light SPF50 was great.
I liked the shape of the bottle as it's small enough to keep in my bag but looks sporty & practical & the tip let's just enough cream out for one application.
It was good as a make up base as my skin felt velvety matte-like and all round moisturised & my foundation went on smoother.
This sunscreen has no smell which I liked, as I don't like something overpowering on my face so that was a plus.
I would definantly buy this sunscreen after the trial as I love the primer feel it gives my skin before make up application, especially knowing I'm protecting my skin from sun damage also.

As a mature aged woman with melasma and acne prone dry skin, I expect a lot from my sunscreen. I want super-high protection levels from both UVA and UVB, I want a product that doesn't clog or irritate my skin. I want hydration. I want it to sit well under makeup without a white cast. Too much to ask?
This sunscreen ticks almost all my boxes. It is fragrance free and didn't irritate my skin. It is gorgeously light and spreadable and absorbs well. Even when used as sunscreen should be; generously, at least half a teaspoon for face and neck. I found on my skin that it settled down to a silky finish which kept my skin hydrated all day. I'm not sure if oily skin would enjoy this, but with serum underneath it met the needs of my dry skin. Under makeup it performed well, not too slippy, and didn't cause my foundation to break down as some sunscreens can.
If you aren't bothered by chemical sunscreens then this is definitely one for you to check out. I highly recommend you do. However, the one box it doesn't tick for me is that it isn't a physical sunscreen, which I prefer. Melasma can be exacerbated by chemical sunscreen, so bear that in mind if you have pigmentation issues.

I'm not really sunscreen kind of gal. I'm kind of lazy in that department. I mean I know I should use it and it's good for my skin but I'm also lazy and cheap! The closest I ever get to applying sunscreen these days is when I apply my foundation or BB cream which just happens to have an spf rating but alas it's a lousy spf 15+. Not only that using ordinary sunscreen with the full 50+ protection on my face tends to be a miss for me. The normal stuff usually leaves an oily/ sticky residue feel which isn't exactly great when I'm going to makeup on top of it especially when you have a pimply face like myself.

However I find this to be a pretty solid face friendly sunscreen! I use it to complement my cheapie drugstore bb cream to up the sun protection because the BB cream itself has lousy protection for the Australian sun. It comes out as a watery formula much like a liquid foundation and you can apply it with a beauty blender. It doesn't have an overly oily/sticky residue feel. Much like the rest of the La Roche's range it's a no nonsense product, it's all about function. There's no fancy pants fragrance, colours or allergens so it's awesome for sensitive skin :)

The packaging of this sunscreen is quite nice. It's slimline and light, especially when you compare it to bulky foundation packaging that contain less product. It fits comfortably into a make up bag for traveling. But I do think I prefer to store it upright on my desk.

I've only used this on my face - and even though we are yet to experience super hot and sunny days and I work in an office environment - I wouldn't use it on my body, unless I had super super sensitive skin.

I do think that shaking the bottle can lead to a bit of spillage when the bottle is opened. Which annoys me but isn't a deal breaker.

The product itself is lightweight and quite fluid. It is slightly off-white leaning yellow in colour but doesn't present that way on the skin. There is a slight scent, but it is not overpowering. It absorbs into the skin very quickly, and a little bit of product goes a long way. It leaves the skin feeling moisturised and while the box suggests it can provide a good make up base, I still used a primer over the top of it with no problems.

I like that it is SPF 50+. I haven't had the opportunity to test for a white cast with flash photography, but I wouldn't wear it if I was going to be photographed.

Would recommend and will purchase as my face sunscreen.

The texture of this SPF50+ is very slippery and silicone-y. I love it. It feels super light and soaks in. It is like a makeup primer in texture. I love 50+ as I wear lots of serums (vitamin a, vitamin c, AHA/BHA etc) so need to protect my fresh skin from the harsh Australian sun.

The lotion comes out white and very runny but the white colour turns clear very quickly upon application.

The bottle is super cute. It is 50ml and has a pointy dispenser with a screw top lid. The pointy dispenser ensures you don't use too much. I like that the bottle comes completely full. It is not like those brands that have a second tube inside the outer casing to make it look bigger. Plus it is also better for travelling or your handbag.

There is definitely a strong smell if you pour it into your hand and smell it, but the smell goes away as soon as you spread it onto your face.

There are so many strange words on the box/bottle which I assume is because the brand is 'Made in France'. It makes it look interesting but I find it very confusing. The orange and white colours are certainly not the prettiest, like I wouldn't display it on my vanity, but that is fine.

The reason I have marked it down 1 star is because I prefer moisturiser/SPF combinations (2-in-1) as it is quicker and easier in the mornings.

I hate to write a bad review on a product that everyone seems to live but I can't believe I'm the only person to have a bad experience.
This seems to be everything I want in a sunscreen, it's very lightweight, goes on clear and has a minimal scent.
The lightweight bottle is excellent to slip into my handbag to reapply as necessary.
I always shake well and smooth this all over my face. I use patting motions to get an even application and tk encourage the product to sink into the skin. It seems to do so and although it doesn't dry down completely, that's pretty typical for a sunscreen so I'm not disappointed by that.
I am disappointed however, by the fact that this feels like I've got a greasy coating on my skin and if I so much as touch it the sunscreen balls up and my face is covered with gross particles.
It was like when you use a peeling gel and it makes all the dead skin ball up. Satisfying when it's a cleanser, horrifying when you're out all day with this on your face.
Even looking down at my hands after applying the product, I can see it pilling and I have to give them a good scrub.
I feel so gross having this residue on my face that flakes and pills, it looks dirty too.
I always apply my sunscreen at least 10 minutes after moisturiser, and when my face is dry to the touch, and I've never had this problem before so I have to conclude that it's this sunscreen. I've even tried this over different moisturisers but it always pills.
Although I gave this a really good go, experimenting with different skincare underneath, I really can't stand to use this anymore. And I don't dare to use this under makeup, the results wouls be disastrous!
I really thought I would love this, everyone else seems to, and when I tested this on my hand in store it seemed perfect. But unfortunately this was really not for me.

We all know SPF50+ means very high UV protection, yes? But what you may not know is the the SPF only refers to protection from UVB rays, which burn the superficial layer of your skin. It is UVA rays which penetrate the skin more deeply and cause signs of ageing, such as wrinkles and dark spots. (Both contribute to the development of skin cancer.) In Australia, all SPF50+ sunscreens must have a UVA protection rating, or PPD, of at least 20. La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light SPF50+ knocks this out of the ball park with a PPD of 42!

Although I bought this sunscreen primarily for its high UVA protection, I was pleasantly surprised by the formulation. It is a fairly thin, milky consistency, and is easy to apply to a clear finish. No matter how much I apply, I never get a white cast, just a bit of a sheen to my skin (which I wouldn't necessarily categorise as greasy, just dewy).

It is fragrance free, with a slight 'chemical' smell of the ingredients, but it is so faint as to not bother me (and certainly less noticeable than an added scent). Having sensitive skin I prefer low-fragrance products so this was a bonus.

Some downsides: It is fairly expensive (for me at least!), but if you nab it at a Priceline 30-40% off sale or on eBay it is more affordable. The bottle is tiny at 50ml! And sometimes at the end of the day I have little white "bits" form on my glasses and sometimes above my eyebrows, but nothing noticeable.

Verdict: my HG sunscreen, highly recommend!

I've been using La Roche Posay products since my skin became hypersensitive a few years ago. I find they make the nicest sunscreens and have really liked using this one. Not only is it a lovely thin consistency it sinks in lovely and hasn't caused any breakouts on my face. Once I have finished this product I won't be repurchasing as the company is not cruelty free. If this was to change I would invest in this product again.

Brand Response:
Dear Parisu, we can confirm that the L’Oréal Group which includes La Roche Posay no longer tests any of its products or any of its ingredients on animals, anywhere in the world. Nor
does L’Oréal delegate this task to others. An exception would only be made if regulatory authorities demanded it for safety or regulatory purposes. For further details on the policy please contact the consumer care team on 1300 101 411