What’s the difference between Anthelios from France and Anthelios from Canada?

One common question that we’re always asked is if there is any difference between Anthelios from France and Anthelios from Canada.

Anthelios sunscreen has been available in Europe and Canada for well over 10 years now. Manufactured by La Roche Posay (owned by cosmetics giant L’Oreal), Anthelios is an effective UVA and UVB blocking sunscreen that contains a patented combination of Mexoryl SX and/or Mexoryl XL, avobenzone (Parsol 1789) stabilized with octocrylene and titanium dioxide. The combination of these ingredients allows Anthelios sunscreens to be formulated into very high SPFs, as high as SPF 60.

So is there a difference between Anthelios from Canada and Anthelios from France? Firstly, whether sold in Canada, France or elsewhere in the world, all Anthelios products are manufactured in France.

Until 2007, Health Canada had approved only the Mexoryl SX molecule. Mexoryl XL, was only approved in France and other European countries. However, since 2007, the Mexoryl XL molecule has also been approved in Canada and may be found in Canada’s Anthelios XL SPF 60 and almost all of the French marketed Anthelios line.

What’s important to remember is that both Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL are effective UVA blockers. However, Mexoryl XL is slightly better at protecting against a broader range of UVA rays. It is also oil soluble (Mexoryl SX is water soluble) allowing for formulations that are more water resistant.

In Canada, Mexoryl XL can be found in Anthelios XL SPF 60 cream. Mexoryl SX can be found in:

• Anthelios Lait SPF 45
• Anthelios Spray SPF 30
• Anthelios Cream SPF 30
• La Roche Posay Hydraphase UV SPF 30.

Which one’s your favorite?