Garnier Super UV Face Fluid SPF50 review: cheap, great UVA protection, easily accessible in Europe. But is it really that good? Also, can my sensitive combo skin take the high amount of alcohol? With filter low-down & checklist!
The brand
Whenever I google cosmetic brands for reviews, I learn something fun: today’s info tidbit? Garnier was actually founded in 1904. Its first product was a hair tincture/lotion, and it released the first at-home hair dye in the 1960s. Today, it’s owned by L’Oreal, and this is the reason the Super UV Face Fluid bears an uncanny resemblance to Anthelios’ Invisible (or: Shaka) Fluid. Both brands are owned by L’Oreal.
Official description
Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV Protection Fluid is enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. The formula offers very high SPF protection to help prevent sun induced dark spots, while protecting skin from pollution induced oxidative stress. Its ultra-light texture is absorbed instantly and offers daily hydration without leaving a greasy finish on skin. No residue. Non-comedogenic. Suitable for daily use.
Garnier
Here’s the first thing I detest: the name. Yeah, not the most important thing in a sunscreen, but the weird and (depending on the region) differing names that still somehow all sound the same make it really hard to differentiate between the whole Garnier face SPF line-up.
Otherwise, because maybe, you know my sunscreen habits: don’t be surprised that I’m reviewing this! Yes, it has alcohol denat. on the second place in the inci list. Yes, my sensitive skin generally doesn’t agree with that much alcohol in skincare (I’ll always be heartbroken that I can’t use Astrid’s fave Anessa that made me want to peel my skin off my face after two hours because it was so itchy and dry). I tried the Garnier nevertheless, because of its high UVA protection.
Ingredients
It’s a cheap drugstore sunscreen that makes a big deal out of the fact that it includes both antioxidants and hyaluronic acid. Slow clap, because it manages to include Tocopherol (yes, it’s a great antioxidant, but would it’ve killed you to include some more?!) and yes, Sodium Hyaluronate. I mean, it’s the bare minimum. The barest of bare minimums. Oh well. But: the UVA protection is supposed to be 46. WHOA!1 (All ingredients here.) It’s fragrance-free.
Filters
| Sunscreen Filter | Type | Spectrum | Remarks |
| Ethylhexyl Salicylate / Octisalate | chemical | UVB (280-320 nm) with peak at 306 nm | not a strong filter, used with other filters to solubilize. |
| Ethylhexyl Triazone / Uvinul T 150 | chemical | photostable UVB filter | oil soluble, odorless & colorless powder, available elsewhere except the US & Canada |
| Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine / Tinosorb S | chemical | broad spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 310-345 nm) | very photostable, available elsewhere but the US |
| Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane / Avobenzone | chemical | full UVA protection | not photostable |
| Mexoryl XL | chemical | broad spectrum,with peak absorbance at 303 nm (UVB) and at 344 nm (UVA) | L’Oreal exclusive, oil soluble |
| Mexoryl SX | chemical | UVA, peak absorbance at 345 nm | L’Oreal exclusive, water soluble |
Sustainability
Garnier is very committed to become a truly sustainable brand, and you can get a lot of info on their site about packaging and production. They have a system called environmental & social impact, with charts and all. I didn’t check the info available thoroughly, but either they’re truly committed, or they’re very committed in looking good.
They’re cruelty free.
Application
My AM skincare routine is rather basic: a toner, a serum, and (maybe) Paula’s Choice’s CBD Milk, a very thin fluid. Sometimes I even skip that.
Because of the high alcohol content, I like to create a “buffer” with my skincare routine so my sensitive skin won’t dry out and isn’t as easily irritated. Because of that, I sometimes use a moisturiser underneath the Garnier Face Fluid.
The formula is very, very liquid: I tried to measure the sunscreen via the “finger-length” method, but couldn’t do that very well. When I used my scales and the small ¼ teaspoon tool, the little tool was full to the brim.
Strangely, although very liquid and with a rather high alcohol content, the formula isn’t as light as I’d expected. Instead, it does feel comparatively rich and creamy.
Finish
My strategy with this one is to just apply the whole amount in one go. The formula is rather fool proof and won’t pill for me, no matter what. It won’t leave a matte finish, though – you’ll definitely feel it on your skin. My own personal issue with it is the L’Oréal patented filters. They briefly burn upon application, and I also suspect them (or the high amount of alcohol) to make my skin rather reactive and uneven looking in the long run. That’s the reason I usually don’t use it many days in a row, but interchange it with other SPFs.
When I use a foundation on top, it can look a bit pill-y and uneven if I’m not careful. Usually, it looks perfectly fine, though.
Comparison
The texture is very similar in consistency to the Skin Aqua. Or Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid. It feels richer, though, and more moisturising, while the finish is, again, similar.
Garnier Super UV Face Fluid SPF50 review: Checklist
The only reason I gave it three stars for texture is their claim it’s “ultra-light”. No, it’s not, especially when you compare it to Asian SPFs. But apart from that – pretty good!
Rating
This one gets a high rating for various points: it’s easily accessible, relatively cheap and has a great UVA protection. My skin can tolerate the alcohol amount relatively well, because I alternate it with other SPFs.
I’m curious to see if I’ll like it in summer, or it’ll be too creamy and rich for me then.
Availability & Price
I love that I can just pop into my local drugstore and get 40ml of a rather good SPF for around 10€. It’s easily available in Europe, and the UK. In the US, try Lookfantastic.
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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