Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Water Aloe Vera Clear Sun Cream Spray SPF20
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 8 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.
Moisturizing7 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Enriched with ultra-moisturising Aloe Vera water, the broad-spectrum, photostable formula hydrates skin and leaves an velvety, invisible finish without any residue.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Dicaprylyl carbonate~5.2–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateHomosalate~4.8–5.9%
- 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 HomosalateDicaprylyl ether~3.2–4%
- 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 etherOctocrylene~3.3–4%
- 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~2.6–3.1%
- 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 salicylateAlcohol denat.~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2–2.4%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneGlycerin~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPropanediol~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolDiisopropyl sebacate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin without creatng a greasy finish
More about Diisopropyl sebacateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineEthylhexyl triazone~0.75–1.15%
- 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 triazonePhenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ensulizole. A UV filter that is effective against UVB rays. Does not protect against UVA light. It is photostable and can be used to help stabilize other sunscreen ingredients. It is water-soluble meaning that it can help create lighter sunscreen formulations
More about Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acidCi 61565~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 60725~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.45–0.65%
- 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 benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Phenoxyethanol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTriethanolamine~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolaminePoly c10-30 alkyl acrylate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceCaprylyl glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTerephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ecamsule, Mexoryl SX. A UV filter. Is effective mostly against the UVA rays. It is legally marketed in the US with the FDA approval since 2006, even though the ingredient is not on the official FDA list of the approved sunscreen active ingredients. It is photostable
More about Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acidDisodium edta~0.15–0.3%
Citric acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPotassium sorbate~0.15–0.3%
Parfum~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Homosalate, Dicaprylyl ether, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Alcohol denat., Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Propanediol, Diisopropyl sebacate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Ethylhexyl triazone, Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, Ci 61565, Unknown, Ci 60725, Unknown, Tocopherol, Sodium benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Poly c10-30 alkyl acrylate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Caprylyl glycol, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, Disodium edta, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate, Parfum, Unknown
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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 UV Water Aloe Vera Clear Sun Cream Spray SPF20YOUR PRODUCT | VichyCapital Soleil Cell Protect Invisible High UVA + UVB Sun Protection Spray SPF30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% |
| Price | $11.11 | $24.13+$13.02 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Sunflower Seed Oil |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low |
| SPF | SPF 20 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
"Garnier - Ambre Solaire UV Water Aloe Vera Clear 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.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: tinosorb s 0.95% - 1.15%, avobenzone 2.00% - 2.40%, octisalate 2.60% - 3.10%, uvinul t 0.75% - 1.15%, homosalate 4.80% - 5.90%, octocrylene 3.30% - 4.00% and terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid 0.35% - 0.65%.
Irritation risk
This product contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Garnier" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 8.40£ 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.
- 1
- 2
- 3Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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