Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Niacinamide Anti-Imperfections Fluid SPF 50+ Versus Sundance UV Hydro Sonnenschutzserum SPF 50+
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberPerlite
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTriethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Silica Silylate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingZinc PCA
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Alcohol Denat., Diisopropyl Sebacate, Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Perlite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Silica Silylate, Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylyl Glycol, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sarcosine, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterDibutyl Adipate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTributyl Citrate
SolventEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBetaine
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Cera
Skin ConditioningPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberDisodium Phosphate
BufferingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentSqualane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Phosphate
BufferingGalactoarabinan
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tributyl Citrate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Betaine, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Oryza Sativa Bran Cera, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Oryza Sativa Starch, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Potassium Hydroxide, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Phosphate, Galactoarabinan, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You 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 2026.
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 TriazineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexyl 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 TriazoneGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water