When you think of high-quality, trusted sun care, La Roche-Posay’s much-loved Anthelios SPF franchise comes to mind, and that is because it has undoubtedly achieved cult status.
The L’Oréal-owned brand’s 39-year-old sunscreen range is favoured by dermatologists and consumers alike, especially those with sensitised complexions, with more than 15 products sold every second worldwide.
Since renovating the franchise in 2022 with the debut of Anthelios UVMUNE 400 – a sunscreen comprising a UV filter which protects against ultra-long UVA (380nm to 400nm) – the franchise has tripled in size.
When you have 80,000 dermatologists worldwide who agree to prescribe you, it means that you have reached an iconic level
“Our success lies in our never-ending collaboration with dermatologists because they keep nourishing us with insight – as the knowledge on UVB/UVA never ends,” says Alexia Papadopoulos, Global Deputy General Manager, Marketing & Innovation, La Roche-Posay.
“We work continually with dermatologists and L’Oréal on true innovation, and this is the biggest reason for our success.
“Even when we think we have put our best version [into] the market, like we did with UVMUNE 400, you then discover new knowledge.
“[In Q1 2026], we are putting another version on the market that is even better – a kind of upgrade on Anthelios UVMUNE 400.”
As La Roche-Posay aims to hit €3bn in sales this year, Papadopoulos lifts the lid on Anthelios’ origin story and reveals how it has remained a bestselling sun care product in Cosmetics Business’ ‘Untold Story’ series.
Vintage posters and packshots of La Roche-Posay's Anthelios SPF throughout the years
How La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios SPF came to be…
French pharmacist René Levayer founded La Roche-Posay in 1975 with the goal of creating high-efficacy and high-tolerance products for sensitive skin which are supported by dermatologists.
The aim was to create skin care positioned between pharmacy and traditional beauty, with products formulated for dermatological needs yet accessible to all – a category we now know as dermocosmetics.
In 1986, La Roche-Posay launched its first sunscreen for sensitive skin – Anthelios Anti-UVA Filter – which comprised the first photostabilisation patent of Parsol 1789, which made it possible to filter UVA rays up to 360nm.
“It is important to know that La Roche-Posay is the first brand to have put on the market a [sunscreen] filter for UVA, and then a water-resistant filter,” says Papadopoulos.
“Anthelios means ‘against the sun’ in Greek, and this was really important to have in mind – the fact that the sun is not a friend to skin really.
We work continually with dermatologists and L’Oréal on true innovation, and this is the biggest reason for our success
“By essence, sun care is really a demo category definer because photo protection is a matter of public health, and UV aggravates almost all skin issues.
“So, there is no real dermocosmetics brand without
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