Garnier Ambre Solaire Golden Protect Protective Oil SPF20
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 6 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
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.
MoisturizingCaprylic/capric triglyceride, C12-15 alkyl benzoate + 3 moreWorks
“Enriched with Shea Butter, the formula nourishes the skin to leave your tan looking more golden and gorgeous for longer”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Haematococcus pluvialis extract, Astaxanthin + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (astaxanthin) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - haematococcus pluvialis extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Astaxanthin, Tocopherol + 1 moreMay help
This product contains astaxanthin. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Hydroxycitronellal + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Octyldodecanol~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~5.7–8.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideC12-15 alkyl benzoate~4.8–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateAlcohol denat.~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Octocrylene~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneEthylenediamine/stearyl dimer dilinoleate copolymer~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexyl salicylate~2–3.1%
- 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 salicylateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.8–2.8%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl triazone~1.6–2.4%
- 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 triazoneCi 60725~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.6–1.35%
- 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 TocopherolHydroxycitronellal~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalHaematococcus pluvialis extract~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Green algae extract that might contain antioxidant astaxanthin
More about Haematococcus pluvialis extractBenzyl salicylate~0.45–1%
Benzyl alcohol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholPentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateBenzyl benzoate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateLinalool~0.15–0.6%
Drometrizole trisiloxane~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Mexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yet
More about Drometrizole trisiloxaneBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~0.35–0.75%
- 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 triazineRosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractButyrospermum parkii butter~0.15–0.7%
- 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 butterAstaxanthin~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help to calm down inflammation
More about AstaxanthinParfum~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Alcohol denat., Octocrylene, Ethylenediamine/stearyl dimer dilinoleate copolymer, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl triazone, Ci 60725, Tocopherol, Hydroxycitronellal, Haematococcus pluvialis extract, Benzyl salicylate, Benzyl alcohol, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzyl benzoate, Linalool, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Astaxanthin, Parfum
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| GarnierAmbre Solaire Golden Protect Protective Oil SPF20YOUR PRODUCT | DECLEORAroma Sun Expert Summer Oil SPF30 | Supergoop!Glow Oil SPF 50 Body Oil | SundanceMED ultra sensitiv Sun Fluid SPF 50+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 43% | 37% | 35% |
| Price | — | — | $18.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Cocos Nucifera Oil | Agran Oil | Carnosine |
| Irritancy | High | High | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Solait SPF50 Clear & Protect Transparent Sun Cream SpraySeventy-One-Percent Dry Sun Oil
Product summary
"Garnier Ambre Solaire - Ambre Solaire Golden Protect Protective Oil SPF20" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this product is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This product should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
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 0.35% - 0.85%, avobenzone 1.80% - 2.80%, mexoryl xl 0.35% - 0.85%, octisalate 2.00% - 3.10%, uvinul t 1.60% - 2.40% and octocrylene 3.50% - 5.20%.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be high. 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.
Price
The product retails for 7.99£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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