Update 25/02/2022: You can read my review of the latest formulation of this product here.
This sunscreen is a reformulation of the Anthelios Ultra-Light sunscreen. With the update, LRP brought back the SPF 30 version to the Ultra-Light line.
The significant changes in this formula are:
- Improved sun protection, including infrared light: PPD rating increased from 42 to 46, and LRP assert that the product meets standards ‘stricter than the European [Union’s] recommendation’.
- Better resistance to water, sweat, and sand
- LRP promise that the sunscreen is ‘non-greasy cream does not leave white marks and does not migrate.’ Also, it doesn’t sting eyes. (LRP UK)
- There’s a claim about anti-oxidants
The sunscreen feels much different than its predecessor. It is more light-weight, absorbs much faster and doesn’t leave any white cast. It’s a runny fluid, which immediately forms a film on your skin. You can apply it right before sun exposure, as the sunscreen dries down within seconds. I’m saying that the sunscreen forms a film immediately because you can notice it. After I apply the first layer of this sunscreen, the second layer sits funnily on my face until I blend it in (there is no issue with blending). When I apply the sunscreen, it seems as if I coated my face with a water-repellent layer. It also sits weirdly in my measuring spoon; I can’t compare any other sunscreen to this one. A strong film is a good thing, I would say. The sunscreen is supposed to be very water resistant. Similarly to the previous formula, it doesn’t migrate and sting eyes (at least in my experience). Also if you compare the old sunscreen and the new one side-by-side, you will notice that the old formula leaves a light, white sheen, and the reformulated sunscreen doesn’t. The Shaka fluid contains less glycerine, though it isn’t drying. Instead, it absorbs much faster than its predecessor. It is very runny, and you don’t need to blend it in for very long. This sunscreen is a mix of chemical filters only, and as all LRP sunscreens, it contains Mexoryls. The higher UV protection is much appreciated, and LRP assert that this product has ‘the highest UVA protection achieved on an Anthelios product’. (LRP)
As much as this formula seems to be better than the previous one, I am not a fan of it. I have used almost the entire bottle of the Shaka fluid, and each time I applied it, it made my skin shiny turning to oily over the course of the day. And I don’t mean my T-zone only, the sunscreen leaves glossy layer anywhere I apply it: my face, ears, neck, hands. I’ve picked up the old formula from a local pharmacy and used them together. The old formula does not make me oily whatsoever, whereas, the new one leaves my skin look greasy. It is surprising because LRP used intelligent polymers ‘for even coverage, a non-greasy finish and higher resistance’ (LRP). I would agree with them on higher resistance because the sunscreen does form a film that stays put on the skin. You can’t feel it really, but it’s much harder to wash this sunscreen off your skin. This sunscreen makes my skin oily, but it doesn’t break me out, and it doesn’t clog pores.
Sadly, from my go-to sunscreen, Anthelios Ultra-Light has been downgraded to probably I won’t repurchase. I mean, this would be an excellent product for the beach, but for day-to-day use it’s not suitable. No-one wants to walk around with a greasy face. It’s still a pretty decent sunscreen as it provides very high sun protection. It doesn’t sting and blends in very quickly. It is suitable for all skin-types; there are two versions with fragrance and without. However, all the changes that LRP have introduced made the Ultra-Light sunscreen a product that is no longer suitable for daily use.
Ingredients: Water, Alcohol Denat, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyltriazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Propanediol, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Perlite, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkylacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate. (LRP)
La Roche-Posay’s ANTHELIOS ULTRA-LIGHT INVISIBILE FLUID SPF 50+ retails for about €15, available from all of LRP’s stockists.
Dom's Vault 
11 responses to “La Roche-Posay ANTHELIOS ULTRA-LIGHT INVISIBILE FLUID SPF 50+ – Review”
[…] La Roche-Posay ANTHELIOS XL ULTRA LIGHT FLUID SPF 50+ (This product has been reformulated; you can read my review of the new product here.) […]
[…] a terrible reformulation; the old version was just fine. If I had to pick between this one and the Shaka fluid, I would go for Shaka as it just makes my skin look shiny, not ridiculously […]
[…] cast but a yellowish tint, which only shows up on fabrics, not on skin. The sunscreen reminds me of La Roche-Posay’s Shaka Fluid and Lancome’s UV Gel, in the sense that it also makes my skin shiny. Though this one wins the […]
[…] most of new L’Oréal’s sunscreens, and I have discussed it many times before (Vichy, Lancôme, La Roche-Posay). The formula is free of fragrance. The product is intended for oily, mixed, normal, and dry skin […]
[…] to know its anti-UV values. I don’t use any of the Anthelios sunscreens, as I am still sour about the awful Shaka Fluid, so I’ve added my sunscreen to the system. I have set the ratings for my sunscreen equal to SPF […]
[…] different labels and marketing strategy. It is hard for me to say why L’Oréal do it, but the Anthelios Shaka Fluid was rebranded back to the Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid last […]
[…] The sunscreen contains only chemical filters, including L’Oréal’s proprietary Mexoryls XL and XS offering high protection of SPF 50+ and UVA PF (PPD) 46, the highest anti-UVA protection level currently available in L’Oréal’s sun care lineup. The product has a light texture thanks to the overflowing amount of alcohol, I usually don’t mind ethanol in sunscreens, but this product makes me flush upon application. Moisturising ingredients like glycerine and hydrolysed protein counteract alcohol’s irritating effect, but they aren’t enough. Besides UV filters, the compelling components of the formula are peptides, niacinamide, a type ferment described by Vichy as probiotic fractions, as well as tried and tested vitamin E. As most of Vichy’s skincare, this one also includes volcanic water from Vichy, rich in minerals improving skin’s health. Some fragrance was added to the product, but it isn’t perceptible. And the unique future of this product is the Net Lock Technology which creates a long-lasting, net-like film on the surface, providing enduring coating resistant to water, sweat, and sand. I don’t know who would need a sand-proof film in a daily sunscreen, but maybe there is a need for that. Upon application, you can see a net type of shape if you dab a drop of sunscreen on your face, quite similar to LRP’s sunscreen. […]
[…] a terrible reformulation; the old version was just fine. If I had to pick between this one and the Shaka fluid, I would go for Shaka as it just makes my skin look shiny, not ridiculously […]
[…] strategies. It is hard for me to say why L’Oréal do it, but, in a similar fashion, the Anthelios Shaka Fluid was rebranded back to the Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid last […]
[…] to know its anti-UV values. I don’t use any of the Anthelios sunscreens, as I am still sour about the awful Shaka Fluid, so I’ve added my sunscreen to the system. I have set the ratings for my sunscreen equal to SPF […]
[…] The sunscreen contains only chemical filters, including L’Oréal’s proprietary Mexoryls XL and XS offering reliable protection of SPF 50+ and UVA PF (PPD) 46, the highest anti-UVA protection level currently available in L’Oréal’s sun care lineup. The product has a light texture thanks to the overflowing amount of alcohol, I usually don’t mind ethanol in sunscreens, but this product makes me flush upon application. Moisturising ingredients like glycerine and hydrolysed protein counteract alcohol’s irritating effect, but they aren’t enough. Besides UV filters, the compelling components of the formula are peptides, niacinamide, a type ferment described by Vichy as probiotic fractions, as well as tried and tested vitamin E. As most of Vichy’s skincare, this one also includes volcanic water from Vichy, rich in minerals improving skin’s health. Some fragrance was added to the product, but it isn’t perceptible. And the unique future of this product is the Net Lock Technology which creates a long-lasting, net-like film on the surface, providing enduring coating resistant to water, sweat, and sand. I don’t know who would need a sand-proof film in a daily sunscreen, but maybe there is a need for that. Upon application, you can see a net type of shape if you dab a drop of sunscreen on your face, quite similar to LRP’s sunscreen. […]