BioNike Defence Sun Age UV Specialist SPF 50+ Versus Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Super UV Invisible Face Serum - UK
Updated on February 11, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
BioNike Defence Sun Age UV Specialist SPF 50+ 36 ingredients
Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Super UV Invisible Face Serum 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
BioNike Defence Sun Age UV Specialist SPF 50+ 36 ingredients
Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Super UV Invisible Face Serum 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,5-Pentanediol
SolventBetaine
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingArginine
Masking
Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cellulose
AbsorbentZeolite
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Coco-Caprylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Niacinamide, 1,5-Pentanediol, Betaine, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Arginine, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Ectoin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Cellulose, Zeolite, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Allantoin, Sclerotium Gum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Citric Acid, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Propanediol
SolventC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Silica Silylate
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Alcohol Denat., Diisopropyl Sebacate, Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Propanediol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Silica Silylate, Cellulose, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ceramide NP, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneThis ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinCellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
Learn more about CelluloseCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
BioNike Defence Sun Age UV Specialist SPF 50+ 36 ingredients
Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Super UV Invisible Face Serum 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
BioNike Defence Sun Age UV Specialist SPF 50+ 36 ingredients
Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Super UV Invisible Face Serum 29 ingredients
Beware, has alcohol denat (2nd position) in it. Means it dries out and I confirm the effect on me. It feels smooth and it’s prolly also good product once a week under foundation (cause alcohol smoothes it out), but it’s not for any regular use on regular basis. Oily skin will start to balance it out by creating more oil and thus prolly break out. Dry skin will get even drier. So it does effect Show more
No~
The texture is nice and it doesn’t leave a white cast but it was too heavy on my skin and it takes a lot of time the product to absorbed. Didn’t really liked it. Not recommended.
