Garnier Ambre Solaire Ultra-hydrating Sun Cream Spray SPF20
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 4 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.
MoisturizingPhenyl trimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane + 5 moreGood evidence
“Ambre Solaire Ultra-hydrating Sun Cream Spray SPF20”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: phenyl trimethicone, 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-agingTocopherolLimited evidence
“Protects against sun-induced skin damage and the premature ageing effects of the sun's harmful rays.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
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?
Irritancy11 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde + 9 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Alcohol denat.~24–35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Octocrylene~5–7.5%
- 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 OctocryleneCyclopentasiloxane~4.4–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneC12-15 alkyl benzoate~3.7–5.5%
- 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 benzoateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~3.2–4.9%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneCyclohexasiloxane~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneEthylhexyl triazone~1.9–2.9%
- 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 triazoneDicaprylyl carbonate~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateDrometrizole trisiloxane~1.5–2.3%
- 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 trisiloxanePhenyl trimethicone~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconeTocopherol~0.55–1.3%
- 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 TocopherolHydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehydeLimonene~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.35–0.85%
Benzyl salicylate~0.35–0.8%
Propylene glycol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeAcrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sorbitol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolBht~0.15–0.65%
Butylphenyl methylpropional~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalCitronellol~0.15–0.5%
Citral~0.1–0.45%
Opuntia coccinellifera fruit extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Opuntia coccinellifera fruit extractOpuntia coccinellifera flower extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coumarin~0.1–0.4%
Parfum~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDatem~0.15–0.6%
Ingredient list view
Alcohol denat., Octocrylene, Cyclopentasiloxane, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ethylhexyl triazone, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Phenyl trimethicone, Tocopherol, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl salicylate, Propylene glycol, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, Sorbitol, Bht, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Citronellol, Citral, Opuntia coccinellifera fruit extract, Opuntia coccinellifera flower extract, Coumarin, Parfum, Datem
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Product summary
"Garnier Ambre Solaire - Ambre Solaire Ultra-hydrating Sun Cream Spray SPF20" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this product does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
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. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.20% - 4.90%, mexoryl xl 1.50% - 2.30%, uvinul t 1.90% - 2.90% and octocrylene 5.00% - 7.50%.
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 this sunscreen 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 from 6.99£ up to 9.99£ 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 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 3Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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