Garnier Ambre Solaire Ultra-Hydrating Sun Cream Spf50
68/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Garnier Ambre Solaire Ultra-Hydrating Sun Cream is an SPF50 hybrid sunscreen that pairs chemical filters such as Octocrylene, Avobenzone and Ethylhexyl Triazone with a small amount of Titanium Dioxide. It commonly leaves low white cast with a balanced finish, and the formula is generally lightweight rather than heavy. It is reported to be low on the pore-clogging scale, though it may sting somewhat if it reaches the eyes during sweat. With a score of 67.8/100 and excellent UV protection, it is a solid everyday option for those wanting hydrating sun cover.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Excellent
80
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #4, UV filter
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #5, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #6, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +31.4 Titanium Dioxide at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +4.8)
- +17.6 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #9, UV filter
- +8.4 Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid at #25, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- −19.8 UVB coverage saturated
- −10.9 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
☢️
Health safety
High
67
- +100 Starting score
- −30 Octocrylene at #4 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −3.5 Avobenzone at #6, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
🤧
Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- −18 Fragrance
- −5 3 declared fragrance allergens
- −7 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- −3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
👻
White cast
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- −17.5 Titanium Dioxide at #7 (nano)
- +1.2 Coated minerals (Aluminum Hydroxide)
🔥
Eye sting
Medium
47
- +100 Starting score
- −16 Avobenzone at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −15 Octocrylene at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −6 Octisalate at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −4 Volatile alcohol at #8
- −8 Fragrance
- −4 2 declared fragrance allergens
🪨
Heavy feel
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- −16 Titanium Dioxide at #7
- −2 Synthetic Wax at #14, wax film
- −2 Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit at #29, butter/occlusive fat
🔴
Comedogenic
Low
66
- +100 Starting score
- −32 Isopropyl Palmitate at #2, heavy comedogenic ester
- −1 Myristic Acid at #27, moderate comedogenic signal
- −1 Palmitic Acid at #21, moderate comedogenic signal
🍄
Fungal acne
High
22
- +100 Starting score
- −12 1 free fatty acids that feed Malassezia (Myristic Acid)
- −9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit)
- −50 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate)
- −7 2 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
👕
Fabric stains
High
20
- +100 Starting score
- −45 Avobenzone at #6, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- −15 Octocrylene at #4, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- −10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
- −10 Titanium Dioxide at #7, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
💧
Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- ← 5 Volatile alcohol at #8
- ← 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Talc)
- → 16 Glycerin at #3, the anchor humectant
- → 1 1 emollient lipids (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit)
✨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- ← 3 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Talc)
- ← 1 Volatile alcohol at #8
- → 1 1 emollient lipids (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit)
- → 6 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Palmitate)
💄
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- → 2 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #8), fast, even canvas
- → 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- ← 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer)
- ← 3 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- ← 3.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
- ← 3 High mineral load at #7 greys under foundation (nano)
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +2 1 water-locking waxes
Skincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- ✨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (34)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / → shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
-
1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 32 heavy comedogenic ester
- 6 → dewy slippy emollient ester
- ↑ 36 feeds malassezia
-
3 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 16 → nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- ↑ 15.2 UV protection
- ↑ 15 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- ↑ 7.6 UV protection
- ↑ 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- ↑ 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↓ 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide)
- ↑ 31.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↑ 10 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- pills ← 3 High mineral load greys under foundation (nano)
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 17.6 UV protection
-
10 Talc
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte ← 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
11 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 5 minor malassezia feeder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- ↑ 2 wax film
- ↑ 2 wax water lock
-
15 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
-
19 Eugenol
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
-
pH adjuster
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- ↑ 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
22 Linalool
Fragrance component, a declared allergen
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Mexoryl SX), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 8.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- ↑ 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- ↑ 12 feeds malassezia
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Botanical extract
- ↑ 2 butter/occlusive fat
- 1 → nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 → dewy emollient lipid
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
31 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
-
34 Fragrance
Fragrance
Does Garnier Ambre Solaire Ultra-Hydrating Sun Cream leave a white cast?
It commonly leaves low white cast. As a hybrid formula it is mostly chemical filters with only a small amount of Titanium Dioxide, so it tends to blend in well on most skin tones.
Is this Garnier sun cream chemical or mineral?
It is a hybrid sunscreen. It is built mainly on chemical filters such as Octocrylene, Avobenzone and Ethylhexyl Triazone, with Titanium Dioxide added.
Is it good for oily or acne-prone skin?
It is reported to be low on the pore-clogging scale, which is generally favorable for acne-prone skin. The balanced finish suits a range of skin types, though very oily skin may prefer a matte formula.