Sunscreens: Capital Soleil vs Anthelios XL
These are from my recent Mexoryl-based sunscreen loot:
- Vichy Capital Soleil SPF 50+ Face Cream For Reactive Skin
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Fluide Extreme For Face
- La-Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Lait Veloute Face & Body Lotion
In my earlier entry about Mexoryl-based sunscreens for maximum protection, I mentioned I wanted to get one or two to try out but eventually, I went out to buy three of them. They were all below S$40 and La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50+ Fluide Extreme in particular was even going for under S$20 with a special promotion. So it was really hard to resist.
Protection
In terms of formulation, La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50+ Fluide Extreme For Face and La-Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50+ Lait Veloute Face & Body Lotion are more superior because both contain Mexoryl SX and Merxoryl XL, a combination that is said to be the most potent photostable anti-aging sun filters for UVA and UVB rays. Mexoryl SX or XL alone does not provide complete protection. Just refer to the following rating compiled by Environmental Protection Agency on Ecamsule (Mexoryl SX) with inputs I obtained from Cosmetics Database about Drometrizole Trisiloxane (Mexoryl XL).
(Drometrizole Trisiloxane not officially in FDA monograph. I added it here for reference only, with inputs obtained from Cosmetics Database.)
Vichy Capital Soleil 50+ Face Cream For Reactive Skin also offers very high protection but the sunscreen only contains Mexoryl XL. But this formulation contains Eperuline, a sensitivity regulator and is therefore most ideal for those with allergic and very sensitive skins, limiting the chain of events leading to sun intolerance reactions.
But since I don’t have sensitive skin, I find that using the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL range gave me better peace of mind because the formulation promise better total protection and they even come with Titanium Dioxide and Octocrylene.
(Drometrizole Trisiloxane not officially in FDA monograph. I added it here for reference only, with inputs obtained from Cosmetics Database.)
Texture
All three sunscreens give fabulous velvety protection and left no white marks or greasy effects upon application. In fact, La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Fluide Extreme For Face which is in milky form left no trace of oil at all on my face. Vichy Capital Soleil SPF 50+ Face Cream For Reactive Skin is creamy on contact but again, left my face almost greaseless. However, this is because both products contain alcohol denat which drys and strips your skin’s moisture when used overtime.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Lait Veloutte Face & Body Lotion is much more creamy, feels a tad oily upon application but it dries up pretty fast on my hands, leaving no greasy marks. When applied on my face, my skin did feel slightly greasy though it was manageable. The good thing is that I didn’t see alcohol denat on the ingredient list for this product.
Summary
I have to concede that all the three Mexoryl-based sunscreens work great on our skin but for the sake of comparison, La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL range is better especially the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Lait Veloutte Face & Body Lotion which is also water resistant.
But honestly, I’m not exactly comfortable using these chemical sunscreens even though they promose ultra protection because of their ingredients. Even if they do not contain alcohol denat, they contain a whole lot more chemical ingredients compared to mineral sunscreens. The only attraction for me about chemical sunscreens with Mexoryl is that you’re virtually impervious to sun exposure. As I mentioned in my earlier entry, Mexoryl is photostable and this means you can wear it all day long without the need to reapply and yet receive long lasting, effective protection as it does not degrade in sunlight.
I guess I will continue to wear these for awhile given the fact it has been exceptionally sunny on most days now. I will most probably however, just limit to my hands and switch back to mineral based sunscreens for my face.
And please also read my post on tips on sunscreen protection & application.
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Hmm… I use L’oreal UV Perfect which has Meroxyl in it. Now you’ve gotten me interested in these! I know we have Vichy but I’ll have to check if we have La Roche Posay. Thanks for the review!
ParisB: You’re most welcome! ?
where’d u get the la roche posay sunscreen for SGD20? that’s cheap! care to share?
lilyn: It was a promotion at Watson’s – 2 La Roche-Posay for $39. But I believe the promotion has ended, which is why I made no mention of it. Not sure if they have other promotions at Watson’s or Guardian now.
great post! i have discovered vichy capital soleil and la roche-posay during my fun in the sun trips to st martin. i find both pretty much the same, but find your charts and feedback regarding the specialized face creams super useful.
one thing i noticed is when i sweat with it on, a milky color comes up. but i think this happens with most sunblocks.
during my last trip i picked up the after tan la roche-posay posthelios. it is super rich in replenishing lipids, applies like butter and smells great, although a bit girly but i love it nonetheless.
tommy: I find vichy’s more whitish compared to la roche-posay’s. The milky stuff is probably coming from the titanium dioxide.
i just checked, you are right! they both have titanium dioxide! and i think you are right recently the white stuff has come up with vichys use.
i’ve heard alot about neutrogena ultra sheer sunblock which SPF rating goes upto 85 if you are one of those milky types! i just found out it has no titanium dioxide, not sure if that’s better or not.
but it definitely lacks that français caraïbes feel. and it lacks a spray pump at that.
tommy: Neutrogena uses Helioplex. You might want to read an entry I wrote about it here: https://www.vivawoman.net/2008/06/04/sunscreen-helioplex-vs-mexoryl/
Actually these products are really good, but very expensive too.
You can buy Mexoryl SX +XL + Octocrylene + Avobenzone + Titanium Dioxide (meaning FULL SPECTRUM UV protection) at some other L’oreal brands (eg Ambre Solaire UV Sensitive Milk SPF50+) at a fraction of the Antihelios prices.
Probably…but Ambre Solaire is not as readily available as LRP over here.
Hi
I have read your articles regarding sunscreen with great interest and thankfully someone can explain it all.
Please can you confirm what is the best sunscreen / sunblock to use on skin which is prone to pigmentation. I currently use either Niume SPF20 or La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF50. I was interested to learn that these need to be applied 20 mins before makeup and yes time sometimes does not allow for this before you apply makeup and can sometimes affect how your makeup looks on your face. Any help would be appreciated. You might also suggest where I could source hats or face screens for holidays as I find the smallest amount of sun on my face even with sunscreen gets the freckles and pigmentation going. Kind regards, S
I’ve not come across Niume but personally I like La Roche Posay Antelios except that it is a chemical sunscreen so I don’t use this every day. It’s great for outdoor so suitable if you’re going on holidays. If you want to prevent pigmentation, I would recommend you to use vitamin C products on your face to fight the free radicals on top of applying sunscreen.
I don’t know where you can get large hats where you’re based.
Thank you – if there is any more information concerning Vitamin c and what products to buy, please let me know (and what it does)
Is alcohol denat really that bad?? I have really sensitive and dry skin… If I use the vichy sunscreen (in spf 30) everyday, will it damage and irritate my skin?
Vichy sunscreen is formulated to suit sensitive skin. If the alcohol denat is too high up in the ingredient list (1st 5), it may dry your skin when used long term. If lower down the list, may not be too bad cos the percentage used in the formulation should be low.
Were can i buy lorea’l ombrella with mexoryl sunscreen at?
I see it available on Amazon.
Have you considered trying Spectraban 60? If you ever try it, a review would be nice! Thank you.