Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Water Sun Cream Spray SPF20
74/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Water Sun Cream Spray SPF 20 is a chemical sunscreen combining Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane with the modern triazine and triazone filters. It feels matte and lightweight with low white cast and rates good under makeup, though it may sting a little around the eyes when you sweat. SPF 20 is moderate coverage, so reapply often on long days outside. With excellent rated protection and a 74/100 score, it is a strong, light pick for warm weather wear.
Ingredient & SPF scores
☀️
UV protection
Excellent
84
- +12 Homosalate at #3, UV filter
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #5, UV filter
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #6, UV filter
- +24 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #8, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- +38.4 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #12, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- +13.2 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #13, UV filter
- +8.4 Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid at #14, UV filter
- +8.4 Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid at #24, UV filter (UVA1 +3)
- −35 UVB coverage saturated
- −8.6 UVA2 coverage saturated
☢️
Health safety
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- −40 Homosalate at #3 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −10.5 Octocrylene at #5, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- −3.5 Avobenzone at #8, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
🤧
Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- −18 Fragrance
- −12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- −3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
🔥
Eye sting
Medium
43
- +100 Starting score
- −8 Avobenzone at #8, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −15 Octocrylene at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −9 Homosalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −6 Octisalate at #6, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −1 Ensulizole at #14, migrates into eyes with sweat
- −10 Volatile alcohol at #7
- −8 Fragrance
👕
Fabric stains
Medium
37
- +100 Starting score
- −38 Avobenzone at #8, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- −15 Octocrylene at #5, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- −10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
💧
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- ← 13 Volatile alcohol at #7
- → 4 Glycerin at #9, the anchor humectant
✨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- ← 3 Volatile alcohol at #7
- ← 6 3 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Diisopropyl Sebacate)
💄
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- → 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #7), fast, even canvas
- → 4 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- ← 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate)
🌊
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance →Full ingredient list (28)
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.
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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte ← 3 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- ↑ 12 UV protection
- ↑ 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte ← 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- ↑ 15.2 UV protection
- ↓ 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 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
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
-
Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 24 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- ↓ 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- ↑ 8 migrates into eyes with sweat
- ↑ 38 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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9 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 → nourishing the anchor humectant
-
10 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte ← 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 38.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 13.2 UV protection
-
Legacy UV filter (Ensulizole), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- ↑ 8.4 UV protection
- ↑ 1 migrates into eyes with sweat
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15 Green 6
Colorant or pigment
-
16 Violet 2
Colorant or pigment
-
17 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
pH adjuster
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
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)
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
26 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
28 Fragrance
Fragrance
Will Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Water Spray sting my eyes?
It may sting a little when you sweat, as it rates medium there. Keep it clear of the immediate eye area and blot sweat rather than rubbing.
Is the Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Water Sun Cream Spray SPF20 good for oily skin and under makeup?
Yes on both counts. It wears matte and lightweight with a low pore-clogging profile and rates good as a makeup base, so it suits oilier skin and layering.
What SPF is it and how protective?
It is SPF 20 with excellent rated protection. SPF 20 is moderate coverage, so reapply often on long days outdoors. The chemical filters include Homosalate, Octocrylene and the modern triazine and triazone filters.