La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF 60 vs EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
Anthelios uses four chemical filters (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene), is water resistant for 80 minutes and costs $35.99. UV Clear pairs zinc oxide 9% with octinoxate 7.5%, adds 5% niacinamide, is aimed at sensitive, rosacea- and acne-prone skin, isn’t water resistant and costs $46 for 1.7 oz.
Checked against brand ingredient lists on and against dermatology sources (American Academy of Dermatology, FDA, peer-reviewed studies). How we research · Editorial policy · 7 sources
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How this page was made: we compared what each brand publishes (actives, strengths, full ingredient lists, directions and prices) and checked the claims against dermatology guidance and published studies, all linked at the bottom. We haven’t tested these products on our own skin, we don’t publish star ratings, and a commission never decides a pick. Our methodology.
Not medical advice. This page compares cosmetic products. If you have a skin condition, use prescription treatment, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a dermatologist or your doctor before starting something new.
Short answer
pick EltaMD UV Clear ($46, 1.7 oz) for everyday wear if your skin is sensitive, acne-prone or rosacea-prone and you want zinc oxide. Pick La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF 60 ($35.99) for outdoor days, sweat or water, since it’s water resistant for 80 minutes, if chemical filters don’t bother your skin.
Last updated Ingredient lists checked 2026-11-11Prices checked November 2026
Check La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light price (opens in a new tab)Check EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF price (opens in a new tab)
The numbers side by side
| La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF 60 | EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (brand site) | $35.99 | $46.00 for 1.7 oz ($78 for 3.7 oz) |
| Filters | Avobenzone 3%, homosalate 10%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene 7% | Zinc oxide 9%, octinoxate 7.5% |
| Type | Chemical (organic) filters only | Hybrid: mineral + chemical |
| Water resistant | Yes, 80 minutes | No (brand says use a water-resistant one if swimming or sweating) |
| Extras | Contains alcohol denat. (3rd ingredient) | Niacinamide 5%, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid |
Both are fragrance-free face sunscreens, but they’re built for different days. We read both Drug Facts panels on the brand sites and the AAD’s[3][4][5] sunscreen guidance. We haven’t tested either.
How do they differ, line by line?
| La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF 60 | EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (brand site) | $35.99 | $46.00 for 1.7 oz ($78 for 3.7 oz) |
| Filters | Avobenzone 3%, homosalate 10%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene 7% | Zinc oxide 9%, octinoxate 7.5% |
| Type | Chemical (organic) filters only | Hybrid: mineral + chemical |
| Water resistant | Yes, 80 minutes | No (brand says use a water-resistant one if swimming or sweating) |
| Extras | Contains alcohol denat. (3rd ingredient) | Niacinamide 5%, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid |
| Brand skin-type note | Suitable for sensitive skin; oil-free; non-comedogenic | For sensitive, rosacea- and acne-prone skin; oil-free |
| Oxybenzone | Free | Free (not in the list) |
| Tint | Untinted | Untinted and tinted versions |
What does each do well, and where does it fall short?
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF 60: pros
- Water resistant for 80 minutes
- SPF 60
- Thin, matte fluid; cheaper per bottle
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF 60: cons
- No mineral filters, which the AAD says dermatologists recommend for sensitive skin
- Contains alcohol denat., which can sting dry or irritated skin
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46: pros
- Zinc oxide 9%
- 5% niacinamide in the base
- Tinted version available
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46: cons
- Not water resistant
- Still contains octinoxate, a chemical filter
- Brand says the untinted works best on fair to medium skin tones
Which one fits your skin?
For a daily face sunscreen on reactive skin, UV Clear fits the AAD’s[3][4][5] advice better because it contains zinc oxide; it just isn’t for the pool. For hiking, beach or the gym, Anthelios is the one labeled to last 80 minutes in water or sweat. Either way, the AAD says to reapply about every two hours outdoors.
Pick La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF 60 if…
- you’ll be sweating or swimming
- you want SPF 60
- chemical filters don’t irritate you
Pick EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 if…
- your skin is sensitive, acne- or rosacea-prone
- you want zinc oxide and niacinamide
- you’ll mostly be indoors or commuting
What’s in each bottle?
Copied from each brand’s own product page (or the sunscreen’s Drug Facts) on November 11, 2026. Brands reformulate, so the carton in your hand is the final word.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF 60
- Key actives
- Avobenzone 3%, homosalate 10%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene 7% (Drug Facts)
- Base
- Thin matte fluid; contains alcohol denat.
- Brand price
- $35.99
- Brand notes
- Brand: water resistant (80 minutes), fragrance-free, oil-free, oxybenzone-free, non-comedogenic, allergy-tested, suitable for sensitive skin.
Full ingredient list
Inactive: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Dicaprylyl Ether, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8 Laurate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, P-Anisic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tocopherol.
La Roche-Posay product page · Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
- Key actives
- Zinc oxide 9.0%, octinoxate 7.5% (Drug Facts); niacinamide 5% listed as an inactive ingredient
- Base
- Lightweight, oil-free lotion; untinted and tinted versions
- Brand price
- $46.00 · 1.7 oz ($78.00 for 3.7 oz)
- Brand notes
- Brand: fragrance-free, oil-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic; “good for” acne-prone skin and rosacea. Directions tell you to use a water-resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating (it is not labeled water resistant).
Full ingredient list
Inactive: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phosphoric Acid.
EltaMD product page · Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Is SPF 60 much better than SPF 46?
Not by much. The AAD[3][4][5] says SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, higher SPFs block slightly more, and none blocks 100%. Both clear the AAD’s SPF 30 minimum. How much you apply and how often you reapply matter more than the gap between 46 and 60.
Which one suits your skin type?
Sensitive, rosacea- or acne-prone: UV Clear, which EltaMD designs for those skin types and which contains zinc oxide. Oily: either; both are oil-free. Dry: neither is moisturizing; see EltaMD UV Daily. Darker skin tones: UV Clear Tinted, since the AAD[3][4][5] says tinted sunscreens help against visible light.
Who should skip it?
- Anthelios if chemical filters or alcohol sting your skin: It uses only chemical filters and lists alcohol denat. third. Consider instead: EltaMD UV Clear or a mineral sunscreen.
- UV Clear for swimming or heavy sweating: It isn’t water resistant; EltaMD says to use a water-resistant sunscreen then.
- Untinted UV Clear on deeper skin tones: EltaMD says the untinted version works best on fair to medium skin tones. Consider instead: UV Clear Tinted.
How can you spend less?
Anthelios is $35.99 on La Roche-Posay’s site. UV Clear is $46 for 1.7 oz, or $78 for 3.7 oz, which is cheaper per ounce if you use it daily.
What should you know before you start?
- Patch test first. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests applying a new product to a quarter-sized area twice a day for 7 to 10 days and stopping if you react. AAD: how to test skin care products.
- Add one new product at a time, and give it time: the AAD says many anti-aging products take 6 weeks to 3 months to show results. AAD: get the most from anti-aging products.
What do people ask most?
Is EltaMD UV Clear a mineral sunscreen?
Is Anthelios water resistant?
Are chemical sunscreen filters safe?
Where this comes from
We opened and read every source below for this page. Ingredient lists, strengths, directions and prices come from each brand’s own product page; health and usage guidance comes from the American Academy of Dermatology, the FDA, the National Eczema Association and peer-reviewed studies (via PubMed). Prices checked: November 2026; confirm on the seller’s site before you buy.
- La Roche-Posay (brand page): La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF 60 (laroche-posay.us)
- EltaMD (brand page): EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (eltamd.com)
- AAD: Sunscreen FAQs (aad.org)
- AAD: How to decode a sunscreen label (aad.org)
- AAD: How to select a sunscreen (aad.org)
- Abdel Azim et al. 2025, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Sunscreens part 2, regulation and safety (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- FDA: Sunscreen: how to help protect your skin from the sun (fda.gov)
Related
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 vs EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40
Both use zinc oxide 9% and octinoxate 7.5%. The difference is the base: UV Clear is oil-free with 5% niacinamide and is aimed at sensitive, rosacea- and acne-prone skin; UV Daily adds petrolatum and hyaluronic acid and is aimed at dehydrated and mature skin.
guideMineral vs chemical sunscreen for sensitive skin: which should you use?
Short answer: if your skin reacts easily, start with a mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide only), which the AAD says dermatologists recommend for sensitive skin. Any sunscreen that is broad spectrum, SPF 30+ and used generously protects you; the best one is the one you’ll wear every day.
comparisonCeraVe AM vs PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion: what’s actually different?
The real difference is sunscreen. AM is a broad-spectrum SPF 30 with zinc oxide 8%, homosalate 10%, octinoxate 5% and octocrylene 2%; PM has no SPF and is labeled night only. Both list niacinamide near the top, three ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
guideNiacinamide vs vitamin C for dark spots: which should you try first?
Short answer: start with daily sunscreen (tinted, if you have a darker skin tone), then add one product. Niacinamide is the gentler first try with clearer clinical data on spots; L-ascorbic acid vitamin C is the stronger antioxidant but can sting.
guideVitamin C forms explained: L-ascorbic acid vs the derivatives
Short answer: L-ascorbic acid is the form with the most research, but it only gets into skin from a very acidic formula and it oxidizes easily. Derivatives such as ascorbyl glucoside are steadier and gentler, with weaker evidence. Sensitive skin should usually start with a derivative.
comparisonThe Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% vs SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
Both are pure L-ascorbic acid. The Ordinary suspends 23% in a water-free base for $8.10 and warns it tingles; SkinCeuticals pairs 15% with vitamin E and ferulic acid, the combination tested in a 2005 peer-reviewed study, at a much higher price.