Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV Protection Fluid Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 - US
Updated on September 11, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, hyaluronic acid 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, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and silicones
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
Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV Protection Fluid 27 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 26 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV Protection Fluid 27 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Perlite
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
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
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Polyurethane-62
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBasic Violet 2
Blue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Silica, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Polyurethane-62, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Menthyl Lactate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-6, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Basic Violet 2, Blue 1 Lake
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 WaterAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaGlycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV Protection Fluid 27 ingredients
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 26 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV Protection Fluid 27 ingredients
Doesn’t irritate skin, doesn’t pill, doesn’t sting eyes, doesn’t have white cast or weird orange tint. Everything that I’ve been looking for in an spf. I do blot with tissue a few mins after application to remove a bit of the excess after it’s had time to sink in, but that’s my preference
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 26 ingredients
If you have oily skin, do not use!
It is super greasy and it feels impossible to apply enough without ending up like a disco ball.
It somehow always ends up in my eyes and burns like mad.
If you have dry skin, you may find it very hydrating.
As with most other Hydro Boost products, this is hydrating with a lovely light scent and pleasant gel consistency, plus the added benefit of leaving no cast at all. However, if it gets anywhere even remotely close to the eyes (and I mean remotely), said eyes will burn and sting until kingdom come.
