La Roche-Posay's generous range of sunscreens have long been a favourite of beauty editors everywhere, and for good reason. The hydrating Anthelios UVMune 400 made a name for its impressive broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, while the Hyalu B5 Aquagel SPF30 is the ultimate lightweight suncream for acne-prone skin types. Now, the French pharmacy favourite skincare brand is heading on a new venture, launching an ultra-weightless SPF texture designed for those who hates the heavy feeling of wearing facial sunscreen.
Here, the ELLE beauty team put the new La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir Sunscreen to the test, finding out if its so-called airy texture can truly put our greasy SPF woes to bed once and for all.
How We Test
When testing the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir Sunscreen, the ELLE beauty team (including Group Beauty Director Katy Young, Beauty Editor Medina Azaldin and Beauty Writer Katie Withington) applied the recommended teaspoon amount across the face before following with make-up. We judged the sunscreen based on easy of application, comfort, white cast and oiliness in the hours that followed.
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What Is The Finish And Texture of La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir SPF50+?
When it comes to the application of this sunscreen, the first thing to note is that it appears as a hydrating fluid. While most 'weightless' formulas opt for a silicone-based, slippery feel, the new La Roche-Posay is far more watery.
'For someone with combination skin, finding a sunscreen without the stick factor can be challenging - I’m often left choosing between high protection and high comfort,' says Group Beauty Director Katy Young. 'It’s hard to believe this weightless formula has so much going on, but with broad spectrum protection, niacinamide and some hyaluronic acid for good measure it absolutely does. Developed to plug a worrying gap in the market, Zero-Gram Feel Air Phase was created for women who choose not to wear sunscreen because it feels heavy. Now, it seems like we just ran out of excuses not to play safe in the sun, and with a formula that controls oiliness for up to 16 hours, it’s actually now appealing.'
Does La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir SPF50+ Leave A White Cast?
Whether you have a deeper skin tone or a lighter complexion, a white cast can make your skin appear dull, grey or, in some extreme cases, purple. Luckily, we trialled this formula across multiple skin tones and we can promise it leaves no such glaze.
'I love wearing sunscreen. It's my favourite skincare step next to cleansing, I love trying new ones, and I've been applying them generously since I was a pre-teen,' says Beauty Editor Medina Azaldin. 'Because I tend to apply liberally, I have high standards when it comes to the product's texture, finish and feel. La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir SPF50+ raises the bar as it leaves behind no white cast even when applied generously, it leaves my combination skin comfortably soft without looking greasy and it doesn't irritate my eyes.'
How Does La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir SPF50+ Sit Under Make-Up?
When it comes to everyday SPFs, how the formula sits under make-up is almost more important than how it performs on bare skin.
'As an avid foundation wearer, I'm always very conscious of how my sunscreen will impact the longevity and finish of my make-up, particularly as someone with an oilier skin type,' says Beauty Writer Katie Withington. 'While this SPF has a dewier finish, which adds luminosity to my base in the same way that an illuminating primer would, it absorbs quickly and without a heavy residue. As a result, I find that only powder a few times a day, as opposed to the frequent re-applications I've experienced with other dewy sunscreens.'
It's important to note, if you're looking for a matte sunscreen for oily skin, the glossy nature of this SPF may not be for you.
Is The La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir SPF50+ A Chemical Or Mineral Sunscreen?
Unlike mineral SPFs, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir uses chemical filters to protect against UVA and UVB rays.
The Verdict
If you're one of the many women in the UK who steer clear of SPF's with a heavier texture, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir SPF50+ Sunscreen is one of the best new options. It absorbs quickly, sits comfortable under foundation and won't increase your oiliness throughout the day. While we still think it's best suited for those with a dry or combination complexion, due to its glossier finish, (if you prefer a gel SPF, why not look to watery Korean sunscreens?), acne-prone and shinier bases will also appreciate its lightweight benefits. Our favourite part? It's travel-friendly sizing makes it perfect for jet-setting this summer.
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Katie Withington (she/her) is the Beauty Writer, at ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar. Working alongside the ELLE UK Beauty Team, she covers all things beauty for both print and digital, from finding backstage make-up trends at London Fashion Week and investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, to unzipping the beauty bags of Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie. Prior to joining ELLE UK in 2022, Katie studied (BA) Fashion Journalism at London College of Fashion and has previously contributed to Red, Good Housekeeping and Prima.
