Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Garnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 versus Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 .
Published on May 28, 2023
Overview
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 and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens and fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Sunscreen
Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.
Day Moisturizer
Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.
Price
Ingredient Info
Garnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 26 ingredients
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 30 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Garnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 26 ingredients
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 30 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Garnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 26 ingredients
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 30 ingredients
Alcohol Denat. • Homosalate • Octocrylene • Ethylhexyl Salicylate • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Ethylhexyl Triazone • Drometrizole Trisiloxane • Dicaprylyl Ether • Tocopherol • Polyamide-8 • Limonene • Linalool • Benzyl Salicylate • Benzyl Alcohol • Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate • Isopropyl Palmitate • Isopropyl Myristate • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract • Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone • Acrylates Copolymer • Citronellol • Citral • Water • Coumarin • Parfum
Water • Glycerin • Ethylhexyl Salicylate • Alcohol Denat. • Cetearyl Alcohol • Ethylhexyl Stearate • Glyceryl Stearate Citrate • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Methylpropanediol • Octocrylene • Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides • Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid • Ubiquinone • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Creatine • 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide • 1,2-Hexanediol • Chondrus Crispus Extract • Carbomer • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Trisodium EDTA • Sodium Hydroxide • Phenoxyethanol • Linalool • Limonene • Geraniol • Parfum • CI 16035
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.
Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.
One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.
Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Garnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 4.
Octocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneGarnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 contains this as ingredient number 3.
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 11.
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 SalicylateGarnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 contains this as ingredient number 4.
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 3.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneGarnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 contains this as ingredient number 5.
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 8.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateGarnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 contains this as ingredient number 6.
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 9.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneGarnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 contains this as ingredient number 12.
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 27.
Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Linalool has the same effect as Limonene when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
Linalool has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolGarnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 contains this as ingredient number 13.
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 26.
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGarnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 contains this as ingredient number 24.
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumGarnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 contains this as ingredient number 26.
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 contains this as ingredient number 29.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Garnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 26 ingredients
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 30 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Garnier Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Refresh SPF30 26 ingredients
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C+E SPF15 30 ingredients
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