SPECIALIST testing GARNIER AMBRE SOLAIRE OVER MAKEUP SUPER UV PROTECTION MIST SPF 50: Review, SPF Spray Over Makeup

In today’s post, I’m going to test out this sunscreen by Garnier that is in the form of a spray. It’s the Ambre Solaire Over Makeup Super UV Protection Mist SPF 50+UVA.

This is advertised as a spray that can be applied over makeup. That’s why it’s so interesting.

After using it once this bottle already feels half empty, so right off the bat I can tell you that this is not going to last you a very long time. But the formulators did go the extra mile to create a sunscreen in a spray form that can be applied over makeup so we have to appreciate that.

CLAIMS

This is SPF 50, and it has both UVA and UVB protection. It doesn’t have a separated UVA rating, but at least it’s broad-spectrum (UVA protection is at least 1/3 of the claimed UVB protection).

It’s formulated for sensitive skin, so it can also be applied around the eye area.

It’s enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and it’s supposed to be hydrating and non-greasy.

It’s suitable to be worn under and over makeup.

However, I wouldn’t wear this under makeup or you’re going to use it up really fast. Instead, I’d apply a good base layer of sunscreen that’s in the form of a lotion or a cream and save this one just for over makeup application. For example, you can use the Anti-Age Super UV sunscreen, also by Garnier. I made a review on this one as well; you can check it out in the video below.

INGREDIENTS

This product has Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, and Skullcap Root Extract. Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin are great humectants and they will hydrate the skin very well. And Skullcap Root Extract is a great antioxidant.

UV FILTERS

We have three not-so-strong UV filters: Homosalate, Octocrylene, and Ethylhexyl Salicylate. Homosalate isn’t very stable but it’s more so solubilizing Avobenzone, which is also included here. Octocrylene and Ethylhexyl Salicylate are again stabilizing other UV filters like Avobenzone.

Avobenzone is a great UVA filter, but it’s not that stable. So it’s great that we have the other filters to stabilize it.

Then we have EthylhexylTriazone, which provides you with a great photostable UVB protection.

And finally, the star of the show here is the Mexoryl XL. Mexoryl XL is a L’Oreal Group exclusive agent so only L’Oreal-owned companies have this ingredient. It’s a great UV filter that’s highly photostable and it protects you in both UBA and UVB ranges.

Since Mexoryl XL and Ethylhexyl Triazone are included, we can say that this product has a decent UV filter combination.

CONTROVERSIAL INGREDIENTS

It does have one controversial ingredient—Fragrance. However, if you are going to apply this on top of makeup, I’ll just assume that you don’t have sensitive skin since makeup has Fragrance already. And that you’ll be fine with a little bit of Fragrance in this product.

It doesn’t have Alcohol, so in case you don’t like Alcohol in your products, you’re safe with this one!

HOW TO USE IT

These are the instructions to use it:

Shake well
Close your eyes
Pinch your lips
Spray generously and evenly on the whole face in horizontal movements

In the video below I made a demo application to see how it actually performs over heavy makeup.

Right after the application, it looked kind of white. It was emphasizing my facial hair. That’s why I tried going over it with a beauty blender, to see if it would make it look better. And that was much better!

FINAL VERDICT

After the application, I left it to set for another ten to fifteen minutes to see how it would look. The sunscreen did give me a little bit more glow, but I wasn’t overly greasy. If I wanted to mute down the glow I could just use a bit of the RCMA No Color Setting Powder on the areas where I feel a little bit too glowy, and that would be it.

At first, I was scared because I had those little white droplets and it did look a bit white. But my advice is to just have a beauty blender nearby to just tap it all in after the application.

However, the fact that this spray didn’t smear my makeup at all is amazing. And I’m already loving it for that! The only thing that I would do is add a little powder around the nose area and that’s it. You don’t even have to powder the entire face with this.

Considering it would only last a few uses, I would personally save this sunscreen for the days when I’m wearing a full face of makeup. I wouldn’t wear this if I was just wearing a little bit of concealer. In this case, I would just reapply the regular sunscreen. If you use it this way, it could last you for a while, depending on how often you wear heavy makeup.

Overall I’m loving this product and I’m totally recommending it to you guys if you are looking for something that can be applied over makeup and that will not smear it off.

Text adapted from Pharmacy&Makeup’s Youtube Video by Sofia Gioiosa