Garnier Ambre Solaire Dry Mist Fast Absorbing Sun Cream Spray SPF20
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 5 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.
MoisturizingDimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane + 7 moreWorks
“Enriched with a hydrating complex to retain the skin's moisture levels and nourish skin to prevent it drying out.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, isododecane.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Limonene, Benzyl salicylate + 5 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.
Butane~25–31%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Water~14–17%
Dicaprylyl ether~6–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherHomosalate~4.5–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against 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. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateOctocrylene~3.8–4.7%
- 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 OctocryleneEthylhexyl salicylate~2.8–3.4%
- 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 salicylateDimethicone~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeDicaprylyl carbonate~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateStyrene/acrylates copolymer~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.6–2%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethanePeg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearateMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerNylon-12~1–1.2%
Cyclohexasiloxane~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxanePolymethylsilsesquioxane~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneP-anisic acid~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritating
More about P-anisic acidTocopherol~0.65–1%
- 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 TocopherolSodium chloride~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideDodecene~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPeg-8 laurate~0.55–0.85%
Poly c10-30 alkyl acrylate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Poloxamer 407~0.5–0.75%
Limonene~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneBenzyl salicylate~0.4–0.65%
Benzyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholLinalool~0.35–0.65%
Isododecane~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneDrometrizole trisiloxane~0.5–0.75%
- 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 trisiloxanePropylene carbonate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonateCaprylyl glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDisteardimonium hectorite~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoriteDisodium edta~0.3–0.55%
Citral~0.2–0.4%
Citronellol~0.2–0.35%
Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methicone~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. It might be irritating for some people
More about Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methiconeCoumarin~0.15–0.3%
Parfum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Butane, Water, Dicaprylyl ether, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Peg-30 dipolyhydroxystearate, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Nylon-12, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, P-anisic acid, Tocopherol, Sodium chloride, Dodecene, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-8 laurate, Poly c10-30 alkyl acrylate, Poloxamer 407, Limonene, Benzyl salicylate, Benzyl alcohol, Linalool, Isododecane, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Propylene carbonate, Caprylyl glycol, Disteardimonium hectorite, Disodium edta, Citral, Citronellol, Lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methicone, Coumarin, 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 Dry Mist Fast Absorbing Sun Cream Spray SPF20YOUR PRODUCT | VichyIdeal Soleil Hydrating Mist SPF50 | La Roche-PosayAnthelios XL Invisible Mist Ultra-Light SPF50+ | Ambre SolaireofferGarnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Hydrating Face Sun Cream Mist SPF50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 54% | 54% | 48% |
| Price | — | $16.57 | $22.93 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 8 | 7 of 8 | 7 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Uvinul T | Uvinul T | Uvinul T |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: BIOTHERM Brume Solaire Dry TouchLancaster Sun Sport Cooling Invisible Mist SPF50
Product summary
"Garnier - Ambre Solaire Dry Mist Fast Absorbing Sun Cream Spray SPF20" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this product is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 1.60% - 2.00%, mexoryl xl 0.50% - 0.80%, octisalate 2.80% - 3.40%, homosalate 4.50% - 5.60% and octocrylene 3.80% - 4.70%.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 14.00$ in the United States and from 2.50£ up to 12.00£ 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 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5Sodium anisateecha.europa.eu
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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