As a skincare editor who has personally tested countless sunscreens, I'm often asked how Japanese cult-favorite Anessa compares to drugstore staple La Roche-Posay. While both brands offer reliable sun protection […]
As a skincare editor who has personally tested countless sunscreens, I'm often asked how Japanese cult-favorite Anessa compares to drugstore staple La Roche-Posay. While both brands offer reliable sun protection optimized for facial use, they have notable differences that may make one better suited for your individual needs and preferences.
Ingredients
A core similarity between Anessa and La Roche-Posay is their broad spectrum SPF filters that guard against both UVA and UVB rays. However, Anessa features a more complex blend of chemical filters like octinoxate, uvinul A Plus, and Tinosorb S. By contrast, La Roche-Posay sticks to common ingredients like avobenzone, octocrylene, and Mexoryl XL. For sensitive skin, La Roche-Posay may be the safer bet since chemical filters can rarely cause irritation.
Texture & Feel
Upon application, Anessa has an elegant serum-like texture that melts smoothly into skin. La Roche-Posay has a creamier lotion-like texture that takes a bit more blending but still leaves a weightless, non-greasy finish. For oily and acne-prone skin, Anessa's fast-absorbing texture may be preferable to minimize pores and shine. For normal to dry skin, either texture works well as long as you allow it to fully absorb before layering other products.
Effectiveness
Both Anessa and La Roche-Posay offer water-resistant protection that can withstand sweat and humidity. In independent lab testing, they similarly provide their labeled SPF rating's worth of UV protection. Anessa does contain more antioxidants to neutralize free radicals from UV exposure. But both formulas sufficiently shield against sun damage when used properly - the most important aspect for safe sun protection.
Skin Types
Anessa works well for oily, combination, and sensitive skin but can feel too lightweight for very dry skin. La Roche-Posay is suitable for normal, dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin but can feel too heavy for very oily skin in humid climates. Those with chronic skin conditions like eczema or rosacea may also better tolerate La Roche-Posay’s simpler formula.
Reviews
Both Anessa and La Roche-Posay earn glowing reviews for their cosmetically elegant textures that lack the typical sunscreen “white cast.” Anessa garners rave reviews for its lightweight serum-like finish while La Roche-Posay wins praise for its easy cream texture. Most negative reviews for both cite mild eye stinging as their main complaint.
Price
Anessa is more premium-priced at $30-38 USD for just 1.7 oz. By contrast, La Roche-Posay costs a more affordable $20-30 USD for the same amount. So if you'll be using sun protection daily or on large areas of exposed skin, La Roche-Posay provides better value for money. But Anessa still offers reasonable value given its cult reputation and exotic allure.
In summary, those with oily or sensitive skin may favor Anessa for its elegant texture, antioxidant protection, and fast absorption. But La Roche-Posay offers comparable UV protection and remains ideal for normal to dry skin - especially if you want something easy to blend and budget-friendly. As a skincare editor, I’d recommend having one of each on hand to suit any preference or situation!