La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 Review

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30
5.3
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.6 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
30
SPF icon
SPF
Review

Does La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 has to offer:
 
✅ Strong occlusive moisturizing. This exceptionally occlusive moisturizer, ideal for dry and very dry skin, has a moderate moisturizing rating of 5.3 out of 10, impaired by the lack of humectants.
✅ Moderate to high sun protection for daily outdoor activities.

  

Key Benefits of La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30:
 

🔵🔵🔵 Exceptionally Rich Moisturizer with the Right Occlusivity for Very Dry Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.3 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more occlusive. It has a low Humectancy of 0.6 out of 10 and a maximum Occlusivity of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Dimethicone (est. ≈22.0%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, can deliver an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin. The occlusive profile of La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 suggests a rich, thick texture, making it perfectly suited for dry skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

☀️☀️ Moderate to High Sun Protection for Daily Outdoor Activities

With an SPF of 30, La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 provides moderate to high sun protection, making it suitable for daily use during moderate sun exposure, such as commuting or light outdoor activities.

This level of SPF offers excellent defense against UVB rays, blocking up to 97% of harmful radiation. When labeled as broad-spectrum, these products also protect against UVA rays, which are responsible for skin aging and hyperpigmentation.

❗️For optimal protection, choose products labeled broad-spectrum to ensure defense against both UVA rays, which contribute to skin aging and pigmentation, and UVB rays that cause sunburn.

This level of SPF works well for skin types mildly prone to sunburn. It is particularly suitable for low-to-moderate UV index environments and non-tropical climates. However, it is not recommended for prolonged outdoor exposure or intense UV conditions. Reapplication every two hours is essential to maintain effectiveness.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ Best for Very Dry Skin - May Be Too Thick for Other Skin Types

With exceptional occlusivity, this product is optimal for moisturizing dry and very dry skin but may be too thick for other skin types, including normal, and especially combination and oily skin.

If you have oily, combination, or normal skin and are considering purchasing this product for the first time, it might be a good idea to try a sample before buying.

⚠️ Needs to Be Paired with Extra Humectants for Optimal Moisturizing Efficacy

An ideal moisturizer for any skin type should balance the right level of occlusivity (depending on skin type) with a significant amount of humectants, while La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 contains a low level of humectants.

People with dry skin would definitely benefit from adding more humectants to their moisturizing routine beyond what this product offers. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

Pros & Cons of La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

Exceptionally rich moisturizer with the right level of occlusivity to moisturize dry to very dry skin
Provides moderate to high sun protection, suitable for light outdoor activities in non-tropical climates
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ May feel too rich and thick on skin types other than dry
⚠️ Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - needs to be paired with extra humectants for optimal moisturizing efficacy
   

Summary: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30
, as a moisturizer, provides an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin, delivered in a rich, thick texture.
 
With an SPF of 30, La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 offers moderate to high sun protection, appropriate for light outdoor activities in non-tropical climates.
 
That said, there are some things about La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 worth noting.
 
With its high occlusivity, La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 is ideal for dry skin but may feel too thick on other skin types. If you have oily, combination, or normal skin, it’s a good idea to try a sample before purchasing.
 
If you use this product as your only moisturizer in a routine, please note that it contains only a small amount of humectants. Regardless of your skin type, adding extra humectants can enhance optimal moisturizing efficacy. Therefore, it may be worth pairing La Roche-Posay Anthelios 30 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 with a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.
 
❗️ Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible.

 

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
40
22
11
8
4.5
2.9
2.4
2.2
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Alcohol Denat.
Function:
Origin:
Dimethicone
Function:
Origin:
Cyclopentasiloxane
Function:
Origin:
Homosalate
Function:
Origin:
Octocrylene
Function:
Origin:
Oxybenzone
Function:
Origin:
Octisalate
Function:
Origin:
Avobenzone
Function:
Origin:
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Polyacrylate
Function:
Origin:
Silica
Function:
Origin:
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Menthyl Lactate
Function:
Origin:
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Function:
Origin:
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Maltodextrin
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.6
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
22.3
22.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.6 10
0.6
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 22.3 20
10.0
22.0
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
0.3
0.3
All humectants 0.6 10
0.6
All humectants
0.6
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
22
0.3
All occlusives 22.3 20
10.0
All occlusives
22.3
22.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.6 3 No
All antioxidants
0.6
Tocopherol
0.3
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
All soothing 0.3 5 No
All soothing
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Alcohol Denat.
Est. %40
Function
Origin
Alcohol Denat.

Denatured alcohol is ethanol that contains additives that make it unsafe to consume. It is mainly used as a solvent and an antimicrobial agent. A major drawback to alcohol denat. is that it dries out the skin.

Dimethicone
Est. %22
Function
Origin
DimethiconeThe most common silicone in skincare. It forms a silky, smooth film on the skin’s surface and can help to prevent water loss. It also aids in wound healing and can treat and soften scars. Dimethicone is considered to be very safe for use.
Cyclopentasiloxane
Est. %11
Function
Origin
CyclopentasiloxaneA lightweight, fast-spreading emollient that leaves a very soft and silky after-feel on the skin. Supplied as a clear and colorless liquid, cyclopentasiloxane is often used as a solvent to dissolve other silicones in.
Homosalate
Est. %8
Function
Origin
HomosalateA synthetic chemical UV filter that protects against harmful UVB radiation.
Octocrylene
Est. %4.5
Function
Origin
OctocryleneA synthetic compound that protects skin against harmful ultraviolet light.
Oxybenzone
Est. %2.9
Function
Origin
OxybenzoneA chemical sunscreen that protects against burning caused by UVB radiation.
Octisalate
Est. %2.4
Function
Origin
OctisalateA UVB sunscreen also known as ethylhexyl salicylate. It is normally paired with UVA sunscreens to provide broad-spectrum protection. Octisalate also protects other ingredients, like colorants and antioxidants, from deterioration due to exposure to UV light.
Avobenzone
Est. %2.2
Function
Origin
AvobenzoneA popular sunscreen that protects against UVA rays, which cause premature aging and skin cancer. Avobenzone degrades after about 30 minutes of sun exposure and becomes ineffective. It is therefore often paired with UV-filter stabilizers such as octocrylene.
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Acrylates/Dimethicone CopolymerA synthetic polymer that produces protective films across the skin and prevents caking in powdered products.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Propylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Sodium Polyacrylate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium PolyacrylateThis white powder is primarily used as a viscosity controlling agent. It is added to the water phase, which then thickens to form a clear gel. Sodium polyacrylate can also serve as an emollient, absorbent, and emulsion stabilizer.
Silica
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SilicaA widely used cosmetic ingredient with the same chemical composition as the sand found on beaches. A common function of silica is its ability to control viscosity. In certain chemical forms, it can effectively thicken cream-style products.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerA synthetic ingredient that is used to thicken water and alcohol. It results in a more lightweight formula and is commonly found in gel products.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Menthyl Lactate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Menthyl LactateA derivative of menthol that has the same fresh, cooling effect on the skin, but that is less sensitizing and doesn’t have the strong mint scent of menthol.
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cassia Alata Leaf ExtractAn extract derived from the leaves of the candle bush that contains powerful antifungal phytochemicals called anthraquinones. It is aimed at problematic and acne-prone skin.
Maltodextrin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
MaltodextrinA formula helper manufactured from starch. It has a sweet flavor and is often used in rinse-off products to support their foaming structure. Maltodextrin is also used to stabilize emulsions and to absorb and bind other ingredients in the formula.