Garnier Ambre Solaire Ideal Bronze Protective Oil SPF20 Sun Cream Spray
Works for
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.
MoisturizingEthylhexyl palmitate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate + 5 moreWorks
“The water-resistant formula is enriched with nourishing shea butter, promoting comfortable skin moisture that’s non-sticky.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: cocos nucifera oil, glycine soja oil.
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 · Tocopherol, Butyrospermum parkii butterWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingSide benefit · Tocopherol, Butyrospermum parkii butterMay help
This product contains tocopherol. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging. 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?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Hydroxycitronellal + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic5 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale5 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Isopropyl palmitate~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateEthylhexyl palmitate~6.1–9.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateAlcohol denat.~5–7.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~4.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Approved by the US FDA in 2026 (listed as bemotrizinol on US labels).
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineEthylhexyl triazone~3.7–5.6%
- 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 triazoneButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.8–4.2%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylenediamine/stearyl dimer dilinoleate copolymer~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~1.6–2.3%
- 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 benzoateCocos nucifera oil~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilTocopherol~1–1.5%
- 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~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalPentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateBenzyl alcohol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholLinalool~0.35–0.85%
Drometrizole trisiloxane~0.45–1%
- 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 trisiloxaneGardenia taitensis flower~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.3–0.75%
- 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~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidGlycine soja oil~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilParfum~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Isopropyl palmitate, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Alcohol denat., Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Ethylhexyl triazone, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylenediamine/stearyl dimer dilinoleate copolymer, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Cocos nucifera oil, Tocopherol, Hydroxycitronellal, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzyl alcohol, Linalool, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Gardenia taitensis flower, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Citric acid, Glycine soja oil, 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 Ideal Bronze Protective Oil SPF20 Sun Cream SprayYOUR PRODUCT | La Roche-PosayAnthelios Shaka Kids Mist SPF50+ | VichyCapital Soleil Invisible Fluid Spray SPF50+ | BIOTHERMWaterlover Milky Sun Spray SPF50+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 43% | 40% | 37% |
| Price | — | $31.61 | $20.99 | $22.89 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Uvinul A Plus | Glycerin | Glycerin |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 50 | 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: Ambre Solaire Resisto Kids Kids Water Resistant Sun Cream Spray SPF50+Nivea SUN Kids Suncream Trigger Spray SPF 30
Product summary
"Garnier - Ambre Solaire Ideal Bronze Protective Oil SPF20 Sun Cream Spray" "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 moisturizer does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double 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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: tinosorb s 4.40% - 6.60%, avobenzone 2.80% - 4.20%, mexoryl xl 0.45% - 1.00% and uvinul t 3.70% - 5.60%.
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 moisturizer 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 7.00£ 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 4 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 2Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 4
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