Ambre Solaire Eco Designed Protection SPF30 Lotion

Name: Garnier - Ambre Solaire Eco Designed Protection SPF30 Lotion
Brand: Garnier

SPF 30Efficacy 90/100·Medium irritancy ·4 UV filters

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 2 of 2 advertised claims delivered

We assess that "Garnier - Ambre Solaire Eco Designed Protection SPF30 Lotion" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list.

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Product summary

We assess that "Garnier - Ambre Solaire Eco Designed Protection SPF30 Lotion" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (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. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.

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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: tinosorb s 2.40% - 2.90%, avobenzone 1.90% - 2.30%, octisalate 3.50% - 4.30% and uvinul t 1.40% - 1.70%.

Irritation risk

This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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.

Price

The product retails for 14.00$ in the United States and from 7.00£ up to 12.00£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sun protection

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.

UV spectrum

UVB290 nmUVA II320 nmUVA I340 nmVisible400 nm+

Uvinul T

Octisalate

Tinosorb S

Avobenzone

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

Uvinul TEthylhexyl TriazoneUVB Photo-stable 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~1.2–1.8%

OctisalateEthylhexyl SalicylateUVBOctisalate. 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—

Tinosorb SBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineUVBUVA+Visible Photo-stable 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.~2.1–3.2%

AvobenzoneButyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneUVA1Avobenzone. 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.~1.7–2.5%

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Reef-safe

No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.

Product claims breakdown

Anti-aging

1 ingredient contributes at the levels below

Strong evidence

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.

TOCOPHEROLRole: Key activePure 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~0.35–0.8%

GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.1–6.2%

Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineRole: Key activeTinosorb 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.~2.1–3.2%

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneRole: Key activeAvobenzone. 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.~1.7–2.5%

Ethylhexyl triazoneRole: Key activeUvinul 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~1.2–1.8%

Diisopropyl sebacateRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin without creatng a greasy finish~0.45–1%

Evens skin tone

Brand does not advertise this — the formula does

Quiet bonus

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).

GlycerinRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.1–6.2%

Diisopropyl sebacateRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin without creatng a greasy finish~0.45–1%

TocopherolRole: Key activePure 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~0.35–0.8%

Irritancy

15 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 15 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~1.4–2.1%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.01–0.1%est.

Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistencyLow~3.6–5.4%est.

Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureLow~2.1–3.1%est.

Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineTinosorb 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.Low~2.1–3.2%est.

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneAvobenzone. 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.Low~1.7–2.5%est.

Zea mays starchUsed to thicken the product's consistencyLow~1–1.5%est.

Ethylhexyl triazoneUvinul 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) yetLow~1.2–1.8%est.

Potassium cetyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.5–1.2%est.

TriethanolamineUsed to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smellLow~0.2–0.75%est.

Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateUsed to improve stability of the formulationLow~0.15–0.55%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~0.15–0.5%est.

Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.1–0.4%est.

Myristic acidHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenicLow~0.1–0.45%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHLow~0.05–0.2%est.

Comedogenic

4 ingredients can clog pores in acne-prone skin

High risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistencyHigh~3.6–5.4%est.

Zea mays starchUsed to thicken the product's consistencyHigh~1–1.5%est.

Myristic acidHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenicHigh~0.1–0.45%est.

Butyrospermum parkii butterA 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 radicalsHigh~0.1–0.4%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels