Garnier Vitamin C Serum Cream with 20% Vitamin C and SPF25
Works for
3 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 25 · 5 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.
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Vitamin C Serum Cream with 20% Vitamin C and SPF25”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Moisturizing11 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Bring back a bright, radiant glow with Garnier’s 20% Vitamin C Serum and SPF 25 Moisturiser.”
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, cetearyl alcohol.
Evens skin tone2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“Dark spots and areas of hyperpigmentation start to appear softened over time, and tone looks more even and uniform.”
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: capryloyl salicylic acid.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Citrus limon fruit extract, Citrus paradisi fruit extract + 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.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.6–5.6%
- 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 GlycerinEthylhexyl salicylate~4.4–5.4%
- 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 salicylateDimethicone~3.1–3.8%
- 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 DimethiconePhenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid~3.1–3.8%
- 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 acidBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~2.4–2.9%
- 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 triazineTriethanolamine~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.9–2.3%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneOctyldodecanol~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolIsopropyl isostearate~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Isopropyl isostearateCetyl alcohol~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholBehenyl alcohol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholCitrus limon fruit extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractCitrus paradisi fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus grandis fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tin oxide~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxideStearic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidTitanium dioxide~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideCetearyl alcohol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCetearyl glucoside~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosidePeg-100 stearate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateSodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium polyacrylate starch~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium polyacrylate starchSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateSilica~0.3–0.6%
Myristic acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidPalmitic acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidAdenosine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineAscorbyl glucoside~0.2–0.4%
- 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 glucosideHydroxyacetophenone~0.25–0.45%
Capryloyl salicylic acid~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citric acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinatePoly c10-30 alkyl acrylate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Mica~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaCi 77891~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Titanium dioxide~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideLinalool~0.15–0.25%
Geraniol~0.1–0.2%
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitronellol~0.1–0.2%
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Dimethicone, Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Triethanolamine, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octyldodecanol, Isopropyl isostearate, Cetyl alcohol, Behenyl alcohol, Citrus limon fruit extract, Citrus paradisi fruit extract, Citrus grandis fruit extract, Tin oxide, Stearic acid, Titanium dioxide, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetearyl glucoside, Peg-100 stearate, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium polyacrylate starch, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Silica, Myristic acid, Palmitic acid, Adenosine, Ascorbyl glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Citric acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Poly c10-30 alkyl acrylate, Chlorphenesin, Mica, Ci 77891, Titanium dioxide, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citronellol, 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.
| GarnierVitamin C Serum Cream with 20% Vitamin C and SPF25YOUR PRODUCT | L'Oréal ParisParis Revitalift SPF Anti-Ageing + Firming Pro Retinol Day Cream SPF30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 63% |
| Price | $6.99 | $11.45+$4.46 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Retinyl Palmitate |
| Irritancy | High | High |
| SPF | SPF 25 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
"Garnier - Vitamin C Serum Cream with 20% Vitamin C and SPF25" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, it does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This is a" mixed "sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called" chemical ") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: tinosorb s, avobenzone, octisalate and ensulizole. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 6.99$ in the United States and for 9.99£ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5Safety Assessment of Tin(IV) Oxide as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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