Garnier SkinActive SPF 30 Face Moisturizer with Vitamin C
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 4 UV filtersBroad spectrum
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.
Anti-agingAscorbyl glucoside, TocopherolWorks well
“This fast absorbing, non-greasy formula helps reduce the look of visible sun-damage, revealing radiant, more even-toned, younger-looking skin.”
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.
These ingredients in the product might also be helpful for reducing and preventing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity, even though there is no conclusive evidence for their effectiveness: ascorbyl glucoside.
Evens skin toneAscorbyl glucoside, Capryloyl salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Helps reduce the look of dark spots and other signs of sun damage.”
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).
ExfoliationCapryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
“Developed with our Antioxidant Complex of Vitamin C & E, and gentle exfoliating Lipo-Hydroxyl Acid (LHA).”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbyl glucoside, TocopherolMay help
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbyl glucoside) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Glycerin, Dimethicone + 8 moreWorks
“SkinActive SPF 30 Face Moisturizer with Vitamin C”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, caprylyl glycol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Benzyl salicylate, Citral + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate5%
- 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 HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene7%
- 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 OctocryleneWater~45–55%
Glycerin~5.2–6.4%
- 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 GlycerinSilica~5.7–7%
Dimethicone~4.7–5.7%
- 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 DimethiconePeg-100 stearate~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlyceryl stearate~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateAmmonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateAscorbyl glucoside~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosideBenzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholBenzyl salicylate~1–1.2%
Butylene glycol~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCapryloyl salicylic acid~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Caprylyl glycol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCitral~0.5–0.75%
Dicaprylyl carbonate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerDipropylene glycol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolDisodium edta~0.45–0.7%
Parfum~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumGeraniol~0.35–0.6%
Limonene~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.3–0.55%
Myristic acid~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidNymphaea alba flower extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Palmitic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPhenylethyl resorcinol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation in skin and help neutralize free radicals
More about Phenylethyl resorcinolSodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium hydroxide~0.3–0.55%
Sodium palmitoyl proline~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Steareth-100~0.25–0.5%
Stearic acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidT-butyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholTocopherol~0.2–0.4%
- 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 TocopherolXanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumParfum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Glycerin, Silica, Dimethicone, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Ascorbyl glucoside, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl salicylate, Butylene glycol, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Citral, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Dipropylene glycol, Disodium edta, Parfum, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Myristic acid, Nymphaea alba flower extract, Palmitic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl resorcinol, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium palmitoyl proline, Steareth-100, Stearic acid, T-butyl alcohol, Tocopherol, Xanthan gum, Parfum
Compare prices
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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.
| GarnierSkinActive SPF 30 Face Moisturizer with Vitamin CYOUR PRODUCT | L'Oréal Paris55+ Age Defense Lotion SPF | La Roche-PosayToleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer SPF 30 for Oily Skin | VichySlow Âge Day Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 74% | 70% | 64% |
| Price | $12.99 | $9.99−$3.00 | $25.99+$13.00 | $40.15+$27.16 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 10 | 7 of 10 | 9 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Calcium Pca | Niacinamide | Dimethiconol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Murad Superactive Moisturizer SPF 50: Mattifying Oil + Pore ControlKiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream SPF 30
Product summary
We believe that "Garnier - SkinActive SPF 30 Face Moisturizer with Vitamin C" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 5.30% - 7.90%, octisalate 5.30% (declared), homosalate 4.10% - 6.10% and octocrylene 22.00% - 33.00%.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 14.49$ up to 28.07$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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