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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol versus Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops .

Published on August 08, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe tanning. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Tanning British Brand United Kingdom
Tanning French Brand France

Tanning

Products used to change the tone of one's skin.

Tanning

Products used to change the tone of one's skin.

Price

Shop

Buy Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol

Shop

Buy Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Brightening
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 1.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Tanning

Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is a simple sugar. It is frequently used in self-tanning products.

DHA binds to the amino acids in your dead skin cells to create a brown/orange color. Darkening begins to kick in a few hours after application and will continue to develop for up to 3 days. This ingredient can be drying.

Both the US and the EU have approved DHA in self-tanning products. In the EU, DHA is allowed at a maximum concentration of 10%. Most tanning products usually contain amounts between 3-5%.

If you are pregnant or have underlying medical conditions, it is best to speak with a dermatologist about using self-tanning products.

Learn more about Dihydroxyacetone

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 2.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 3.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 15.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.

Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.

It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.

Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 20.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops contains this as ingredient number 7.

6
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 37.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops contains this as ingredient number 9.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

28% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet
56% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
22% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 8 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 24 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops.

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