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Updated on January 26, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

They both do not contain any 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV Protection Fluid
Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Abrasive, Absorbent

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 Silica
UV Absorber, UV Filter

Ethylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.

Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.

The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.

According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber, UV Filter

Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.

Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.

Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.

However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.

Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!

The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.

Learn more about Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl 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 Glycol

When to use

51 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
250 Routines
96% use in am
3% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV Protection Fluid 27 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Light (1)
caabbage's avatar

caabbage

11 months ago
Review

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

#light

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 32 ingredients

2.2 /5
from 6 ratings
Irritating (3) Drying (3) Light Scent (2)
LunaBurk_406's avatar

LunaBurk_406

1 year ago
Review

stings eyes so bad, leaves white cast, irritates skin it’s very bad

#drying
#irritating
#pilling
KadriReede_527's avatar

Kadri Reede

1 year ago
Review

I really like it in springtime and summertime. It is so moisturizing and sinks in fast. And tube is big. Last a long time.
Sometimes irritates eyes a bit. Not everytime.
But i really don't like it at all in wintertime. It feels so drying on my sentsitive skin then.
Overall I think I would even consider buying this again.

#great value
#drying
#hydrating
#absorbs well