Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Ski Extreme Conditions Sun Protection Lip Balm Stick SPF20
Works for
1 of 2 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.
Moisturizing6 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Enriched with cocoa butter, it protects the lips from dryness caused by cold.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: ricinus communis seed oil, theobroma cacao seed butter.
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?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Eugenol, Limonene + 6 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ricinus communis seed oil~25–37%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Ricinus communis seed oilIsopropyl palmitate~5.7–8.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateOctyldodecanol~4.6–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolOzokerite~3.4–5.1%
Polyethylene~2.8–4.2%
Octocrylene~2.4–3.6%
- 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 OctocryleneDrometrizole trisiloxane~1.8–2.8%
- 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 trisiloxaneTheobroma cacao seed butter~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.3–2%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneButyrospermum parkii butter~0.95–1.4%
- 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 butterEthylhexyl triazone~1–1.5%
- 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 triazoneTocopherol~0.45–1%
- 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 TocopherolEugenol~0.35–0.8%
Limonene~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.15–0.65%
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeGeraniol~0.1–0.3%
Citronellol~0.05–0.3%
Citral~0.05–0.2%
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Ricinus communis seed oil, Isopropyl palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Ozokerite, Polyethylene, Octocrylene, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Ethylhexyl triazone, Tocopherol, Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl alcohol, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Geraniol, Citronellol, Citral, Parfum
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Product summary
"Garnier - Ambre Solaire UV Ski Extreme Conditions Sun Protection Lip Balm Stick SPF20" "is a broad spectrum lip 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 lip sunscreen does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
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 1.30% - 2.00%, mexoryl xl 1.80% - 2.80%, uvinul t 1.00% - 1.50% and octocrylene 2.40% - 3.60%.
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 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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