My thoughts on La Roche-Posay’s Vitamin Sun Stick and its (better) twin
31.3.2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Natalie Hemengül
Sunscreen sticks are an absolute must-have of mine. Over the past few days, I’ve had La Roche-Posay’s stick out and about with me. The results were unexpected.
I almost always have a UV stick with me. First and foremost, as a practical, non-drip alternative to regular hand cream. It not only protects the exposed backs of my hands from drying out, but also from sun damage. Small ones are my favourites. Measuring about 5 × 5 centimetres, the Anthelios Vitamin Sun Stick from La Roche-Posay is exactly my kind of product. So, without further ado, I popped it straight into my travel-sized makeup bagto give it a try.
Let’s look at the specs. The stick promises:
- SPF 50+
- Protection against UVB + UVA (PA ++++), chemical filters
- Antioxidants such as vitamin E and astaxanthin
- Transparent finish
- Water- and sweat-resistant formula
- Suitable for all skin types
On paper it ticks all the boxes.
Small, charming – and not at all what I’d hoped for
When I look at the orange-transparent stick, it reminds me of the flick ‘n’ lick lollies from the early 2000s and immediately brings a smile to my face. But that vanishes the moment I take off the protective cap. I didn’t expect it to be so strongly scented. The scent’s okay, but I still wouldn’t want to put it on my face. Or anywhere else on my body.
The shape of the stick’s practical. It allows you to quickly cover larger areas if you need to. La Roche-Posay describes the texture as light and non-greasy. I don’t agree. On the back of my hand it feels fine, but on the rest of my body it’s really uncomfortable. My skin feels nourished, but also noticeably coated. It’s almost like everything imaginable could stick to me.
According to the brand, you can also apply the product over makeup. I find it hard to believe statements like that. As it turns out, my gut was right. My makeup smudged on the very first swipe. You should also be careful when wearing light-coloured clothing. The stick can leave slightly yellowish marks when it comes into contact with surfaces.
Plot twist!
You know those cheesy movies where the whole story takes an absurd turn because an evil twin suddenly shows up? Well, that’s the case here. La Roche-Posay’s Vitamin Sun Stick has a twin, but one that’s good. Correction – not good, better.
Let me introduce to you the Capital Soleil UV Aqua Invisible Stick by Vichy.
Same design, same colours, and an almost identical list of ingredients – with a few, but crucial, exceptions:
On a basic level, both sticks seems to be relatively similar. However, Vichy removes the fragrance from the formula and adds squalane, an ingredient that reduces moisture loss in the skin. It kills two birds with one stone, giving my nose a break and at the same time helping moisturise dry skin on the backs of my hands. Currently, the Vichy product is also the more affordable option in our store. If you have very sensitive skin, you’d be better off choosing Vichy. In terms of how they feel when wearing them, however, they’re practically identical.
If you’re surprised by the similarity, both brands are part of the L'Oréal Group. Similarities in packaging and active ingredient formulations aren’t uncommon, as companies often leverage shared services to cut costs.
Since both products were provided to me for testing purposes, I was able to make a direct comparison. I’d already had good experiences with the La Roche-Posay brand so their product appealed to me more at first.
If you’re still looking for a really good UV stick, this product’s a bit larger in size, but I highly recommend it:
In a nutshell
A bit of a letdown
In theory, the Anthelios Vitamin Sun Stick from La Roche-Posay seems like a pretty good product. However, once applied, this high-priced mini stick falls short of my expectations. While I can actually appreciate the rich formula for my occasional needs, the overpowering scent is a dealbreaker for me. It’s doppelganger Vichy, on the other hand, gets an extra point from me. I’m going to keep using it for now because it’ll definitely do the job for the back of my hands. Sadly, I don’t think either of them are ideal for the body or face.
Pro
- Practical design
Contra
- Strong fragrance
- Feels oily on your skin
- Might leave marks on clothing
Header image: Natalie Hemengül
Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
Beauty
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