Review: Garnier – Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti Dark Spots & Anti Pollution Face Fluid SPF50+

Where to purchase: I purchased mine from Boots.com HERE – This is also available on Lookfantastic HERE

Price: £7

Volume: 40ml

Made in: Germany

What is it?: A Chemical, Fluid SPF50+

What makes it different?: Has Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate the skin. They also say Vitamin E to prevent Dark spots but I also know that Vitamin E is very common in skincare products as it is an antioxidant and can help the product remain stable for longer (so it’s just an added bonus effect if it provides antioxidant benefits to the skin). Very high protection. Fragrance Free + Anti-eye stinging. No white cast + absorbs fast.

Brand Description: ” Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV Protection Fluid is enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. The ultra-light formula is absorbed instantly and offers daily hydration without leaving a greasy finish. Very high SPF protection to help prevent sun induced dark spots and protect against pollution induced oxidative stress.” (From the Garnier Website). 

Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types

What I think: I have Combination, Acne-Prone Skin and It is fine for me! I think even dry skins and sensitive skins could use this. I do think Oily Skins may not prefer this as it doesn’t have a mattifying finish HOWEVER this is lightweight, so it’s up to your discretion 🙂

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Cruelty Free?: Yes

Packaging: Squeeze-y plastic bottle with a cap (which has to be in this due to the fluid nature of this product). Seems like ALMOST the exact same packaging/tube as the Krave Beauty Beet the Sun SPF (Now discontinued).

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Directions: (From the Garnier Website): ”Shake well. Apply this sunscreen just before sun exposure. Re-apply frequently and generously to maintain protection, especially after swimming, perspiring, or drying off with a towel.”

How I use it: I use this daily and am able to use it before I workout or going to the supermarket etc. It’s a good, all-day SPF that doesn’t seem to streak, turn milky or end up stinging my eyes throughout the day. Yes it does have more of a moisturised/dewy look to it, but I don’t look greasy so I feel comfortable wearing this out. I always make sure to apply 2 layers when using an SPF Fluid!

Sunscreen Filters: Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (Hydrating) and Vitamin E (Antioxidant) + Thermus Thermophillus Ferment (Skin Conditioning)

Full Ingredients: AQUA / WATER, ALCOHOL DENAT., DIISOPROPYL SEBACATE, SILICA, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE, ETHYLHEXYL TRIAZONE, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, GLYCERIN , C12 – 22 ALKYL ACRYLATE/HYDROXYETHYLACRYLATE COPOLYMER, PROPANEDIOL, DROMETRIZOLE TRISILOXANE, PERLITE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, TOCOPHEROL, HYDROXYACETOPHENONE, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, SODIUM HYALURONATE , THERMUS THERMOPHILLUS FERMENT, PHENOXYETHANOL, TRIETHANOLAMINE, TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, TEREPHTHALYLIDENE DICAMPHOR SULFONIC ACID, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, POTASSIUM SORBATE (F.I.L C243543/1).

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

[Denatured Alcohol is important to keep the formula thin + fluid. They’ve added in Hyaluronic Acid I guess to sidestep any potential drying issues. My skin doesn’t feel dry wearing this].

Texture: This definitely lightweight and a fluid (See video + Swatches below). This is probably the thinnest western SPF I’ve tried, as the La Roche-Posay Anthelios is slightly thicker (review HERE). This does not have a mattifying finish (not like the Missha Aqua Sun Gel or the Nivea Shine Control SPF) BUT, this is lightweight. It doesn’t ball or pill up either (not even under my mask, phew!). This does not feel sticky or tacky either and spreads easily. It doesn’t disappear totally into the skin as it provides a moisture to the skin which I appreciate. My issue is the slight grainy-ness I feel when applying. So I would highly recommend you shake this bottle firmly to minimise that grainy feel on application.

Also this doesn’t turn milky or run down my face in streaks when I sweat.

Garnier state that this has Netlock Technology, for protection that stays in place – i.e. this sunblock doesn’t move around a lot and stays in place. I would agree that I don’t feel this rubbing off easily or slip sliding, even when sweating/wearing a mask.

As you can see, an opaque dot that doesn’t immediately run down the hand.

Easy to spread and lightweight, a milky-texture.

Once fully spread, you can see how lightweight this is. Rest-assured, this provides NO white cast. The finish is definitely moisturising. I wouldn’t say it’s a matte or powdery finish, but does give the skin a slight glow. It’s not uncomfortable however and feels lightweight on the skin! As said before however, there is a slight grainy-ness to this product when spreading along/applying along the skin. This contrasts with the La Roche Posay Anthelios Sun Fluid (Review HERE).

Video Swatch:

Hopefully you can see how lightweight this product is. But there is a slight grainy-ness to it.

Fragrance?: Doesn’t contain fragrance! This has that typical SPF smell.

Good Under Makeup?: Yes! This sits fine under makeup and doesn’t disturb it 🙂

How long have I been using this?: This is my third bottle as this is only 40ml so I get through this quite quickly with daily use. It takes us (I share with my sister) about 2-3 weeks to get through (I always make sure to apply 2 layers when using a fluid-type SPF).

The Effect?: Moisturised skin with no white cast and a dewy finish (not too greasy or oily looking however). There is some weight to this Fluid, it doesn’t absolutely disappear like the Missha Aqua Sun Gel (Review HERE).

Stings the eyes?: No!

Winter or Summer SPF?: Summer for Dry skins and both seasons for Combination-Normal Skins. Oily skins may prefer in the Winter as this isn’t a matte finish and does provide + feel like a shiny/moisturised look to the skin.

What I like:

• No white cast
• Didn’t irritate my skin
• Not drying
• Moisturising
• Lightweight
• Spreadable
• Layerable
• Fragrance free
• Cruelty free
• Afforable!
• SPF50+
• Hyaluronic Acid

What I don’t like:

• 40ml (I get through this far too quick, so I guess it’s good that this is affordable!)
• Doesn’t entirely disappear into the skin (Like my Beloved Missha Aqua Sun Gel HERE)
• Not a matte finish
• Does have a bit of a grainy application/texture (Definitely not as smooth as the La Roche Posay Anthelios Sun Fluid, Review HERE).

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4.2/5 – For the price, and the fact that this is a fluid that does NOT contain Fragrance or Essential oils, is cruelty-free, contains Hyaluronic Acid and provides NO white cast, has a high SPF rating, I am impressed! Especially for a Western SPF, this is one of my favourites as this is the thinnest Western SPF, that’s ALSO unscented, that I’ve tried (I also love the Nivea UV Face Shine Control and the La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF). However, I still do not think this is as good as the Missha Aqua Sun Gel in terms of matte finish + texture.

Would I repurchase?: Yes! This is my third bottle and I’ve bought backups!

Dupe?: I believe this is a great dupe for the Krave Beauty Beet the Sun SPF (I know it’s now discontinued but if you were looking for replacement, then this is a good one). A similar SPF to me is the Nivea UV Face Shine Control (Review HERE), however that is slightly thicker. Of course the most similar Western dupe is the Anthelios Sun Fluid from La Roche Posay (But that is also slightly thicker than this, but definitely smoother in texture). The Missha Aqua Sun Gel is even thinner than this and dries down matte (does contain alcohol and fragrance however, Review HERE).

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.

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