Where to purchase: Available at Boots.Com HERE
Price: £6
Volume: 50ml
Made in: France
What is it?: A Cream SPF (Chemical) With No white Cast (+ more Eco Friendly Packaging)
What Makes this different?: The eco-friendlier packaging, this is unscented, and that it contains glycerin (humectant/attracts moisture), so it’s meant to make the skin feel smooth (Just like a moisturising cream) after applying. This has a light texture that makes this product comfortable to wear and provides hydration without leaving too much of a greasy finish (but a dewy finish – see video swatch down below).
Good for: Dry Skin
What I think: I would agree! As this feels like a moisturising cream. I also think Combination Skins and Normal Skins could use this too (does have a dewy finish). Sensitive skins could use as long as you’re not allergic to denatured alcohol. I would not recommend this to oily skins (might look too shiny).
Vegan?: No
Cruelty Free?: Yes
Packaging: Tube with a Flip-top cap. No spillage issues. The box is recyclable and the tube itself is made with 49% Less Plastic (feels a bit more ”paper-y”), than the Garnier Ambre Solaire 50ml Plastic tube.
Directions: (From the Garnier Website): ”Apply sunscreen just before sun exposure. Re-apply frequently and generously to maintain protection, especially after swimming, perspiring or drying off with a towel. Avoid eye area.”
How I use it: I did use this in the AM before working out, but due to the balling up around my mask + the colour of my shirt, I now use this as a moisturising Hand SPF.
Sunscreen Filters: Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Drometrizole Trisiloxane
Special Mention: Drometrizole Trisiloxane (Mexoryl XL), is a patented chemical filter by L’Oreal (UVA and UVB Protection).
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E (Antioxidant, Also preserves the product), Glycerin (Humectant/Moisturiser), Aloe Leaf Juice Powder (Soothing). Interestingly, Rice Bran Wax is added which is Skin Conditioning).
Full Ingredients: AQUA / WATER, HOMOSALATE, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, ALCOHOL DENAT, OCTOCRYLENE, GLYCERIN, PROPANEDIOL, ETHYLHEXYL TRIAZONE, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE, TRIETHANOLAMINE, C12-22 ALKYL ACRYLATE/HYDROXYETHYLACRYLATE COPOLYMER, TALC, OXIDIZED STARCH ACETATE, PHENYLBENZIMIDAZOLE SULFONIC ACID, ORYZA SATIVA CERA / RICE BRAN WAX , TOCOPHEROL, HYDROXYACETOPHENONE, TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE, XANTHAN GUM, DROMETRIZOLE TRISILOXANE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE POWDER, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER (F.I.L C262161/1).
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Denatured Alcohol is in here, I personally don’t have a problem with it in SPFs because I know how important it is to keep the texture lightweight.
Texture: Garnier describe this as a non-greasy, lightweight and moisturising SPF that keeps the skin hydrated. I would agree with all of those statements. Now I wouldn’t say that this product disappears on the skin (you can feel it), as this feels like a lightweight moisturising cream (a little bit more on the fluid side, so this is definitely lightweight, but not as light as the Garnier Sun Fluid (Review HERE).
Matte or Dewy Finish?: Dewy! No this isn’t sticky or doesn’t feel really wet or oily, but it does give the skin a glow (see Swatch Video Below). PERSONALLY FOR ME – I prefer a matte finish (Oily-Combo Skin here), so I use translucent powder to dab my face and mattify it. However this kind of balled up for me when I did that.
Summer or Winter SPF?: Dry skins would like this all-year round.
Stings the eyes?: No! I have worked out in this and it didn’t sting my eyes.
Balls up? Layerability Issues?: Yes. Ultimately this does end up balling up (after hours of wear) under my mask/ collar of my shirt. I think it’s the Talc or Oxidised Starch Acetate or both, that cause this balling up (as they are both powdery). And I’ve seen starch floating around in every SPF I’ve tried that’s balled up!
As you can see, an opaque cream that doesn’t run down the hand.
Nice creamy texture when spreading.
- Hopefully you can see from the finish that this has no white cast! It definitely provides dewy-finish as you can see from the video below. No it’s not suffocating on the skin and is lightweight (however you can still feel it on the skin, not like a fluid). The finish is moisturising.
Video Swatch:
Fragrance?: No added fragrance and/or essential oils, Yay!
Good Under Makeup?: Didn’t work for me (Due to balling up issues, especially if you use brushes).
How long have I been using this?: Still using as a hand cream but I stopped using this as a facial SPF after wearing for 1-2 weeks daily.
The Effect?: Moisturised, Sun-protected skin. Didn’t sting or irritate.
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What I like:
- No added fragrance and/or essential oils
- Moisturising
- Appreciate the more Eco-Friendly Packaging!
- Cruelty Free
- No white cast!
- Didn’t sting or irritate the skin
- Not sticky or too greasy feeling
- High protection
What I don’t like:
- Balled up under my mask or wear my clothes/collar rubs + under makeup (i.e. when using a brush to either rub or dab)
- Not a matte finish (i.e. can look a bit shiny – don’t recommend to oily skins).
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.9 / 5 – Sad this balls up (under a mask / t-shirt collar / when applying makeup (i.e. brushes will ball this up if rubbing or dabbing). I really like in terms of Western SPFs, how Garnier are taking out fragrance, expanding their Chemical SPFs so darker skin tones can use their products, and are genuinely trying to make the texture of their SPFs comfortable, so that’s why it makes me sad to say that it doesn’t work for me. I have a feeling it’s the starch in these SPFs that make them ball up under my mask/around my shirt collar.
Would I repurchase?: No I would not (due to the balling up), however I would go for Garnier’s other SPF that does NOT ball up – The Garnier Ambre Solaire Sun Fluid SPF50+ (Review HERE).
Dupe?: K-Beauty alternative: The Isntree Water Sun Gel (Review HERE) Layers better/sits under makeup and doesn’t ball up but is still hydrating / moisturising. A Western Alternative is the Nivea Shine Control SPF (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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