Garnier Ambre Solaire Eco Designed Sun Protection Lotion SPF50
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 4 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-agingButyrospermum parkii butter, TocopherolStrong evidence
“Our broad spectrum, photostable products contain UVB and UVA filters to help protect against immediate and long-term sun induced damage and premature skin ageing.”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Glycerin, Diisopropyl sebacate + 8 moreGood evidence
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.6–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineIsopropyl palmitate~3.1–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateEthylhexyl salicylate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylatePentylene glycol~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneAlcohol denat.~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Ethylhexyl triazone~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneZea mays starch~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Zea mays starchPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateDiisopropyl sebacate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin without creatng a greasy finish
More about Diisopropyl sebacateOryza sativa cera~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Oryza sativa bran wax~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolStearic acid~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPeg-100 stearate~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateTriethanolamine~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinatePalmitic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidXanthan gum~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCaprylyl glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerMyristic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidButyrospermum parkii butter~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterCitric acid~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidGlyceryl stearate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Isopropyl palmitate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Pentylene glycol, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Alcohol denat., Ethylhexyl triazone, Zea mays starch, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Diisopropyl sebacate, Oryza sativa cera, Oryza sativa bran wax, Tocopherol, Stearic acid, Peg-100 stearate, Triethanolamine, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Palmitic acid, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl glycol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Myristic acid, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Citric acid, Glyceryl stearate, Parfum, Unknown
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Product summary
We believe that "Garnier Ambre Solaire - Ambre Solaire Eco Designed Sun Protection Lotion SPF50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 4.40% - 5.40%, avobenzone 2.10% - 2.60%, octisalate 3.20% - 3.90% and uvinul t 1.70% - 2.00%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 3Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 5
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