Sunscreen Reviews

Ambre Solaire UV Sensitive spray SPF 40:

Actives: Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Avobenzone, Titanium dioxide, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb S, Mexoryl XL, Mexoryl SX. 4 stars. Est PPD 15ish

Complete ingredients: Aqua/Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Alcohol denat., Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl triazone, Glycerin, Polyster-5, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethanolamine, Polyacrylate-3, Pentasodium ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonate, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, glycine soja/soybean oil.

Pros:
Texture: 5/5 White rather viscous cream that dries to a completely matt and non-sticky finish. It feel like nothing on skin, and I’m pleasantly surprised that there is no balling-up issue either. Hooray!

Transparency: 4/5 Virtually white cast free even when applied heavily, however, there is some slight completely socially acceptable sheen.

UVA protection: 3/5 In ordre to estimate a PPD value, first let’s examine a very similar (and much more expensive) sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics Spray SPF 40 PPD 18.

Actives: Ethylhexyl salicylate, Titanium dioxide, Tinosorb S, Mexoryl XL, Octocrylene, Avobenzone, Uvinul T 150, Mexoryl SX.

Complete ingredients: Aqua/Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl benzoate, Alcohol denat, Titanium dioxide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Drometrizole trixiloxane, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, glycerin, Diglycol/Chdm/Isophthalates, Sip Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl triazone, Silica, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Glycine soja/ Soybean oil, Isobutylparaben, Methylparaben, Pentasodium ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphanate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate-3, Propylparaben, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine.

Both sunscreens are manufactured by the cosmetic mega-giant L’Oreal group, and it’s not unusual at all for a company to use the same technology across the board, the main UVA filters in Anthelios spray are Tinosorb S, Mexoryl XL, Avobenzone, and in Ambre Solaire, Avobenzone, with some Tinosorb S and both Mexoryls thrown in for extra protection.

Protection wise, I think it’s pretty safe to conclude that the PPD value for Ambre Solaire is definitely less than 18, however, it is most likely more than 13, so I think it’s safe to tentatively put down Ambre Solaire UVA protection value at around 15 range, which is adequate protection for daily wear, but more is preferred for intense sun shine.

Price: 5/5 It comes in a generous 200 mL bottle, costs around 15 bucks for a bottle, very much affordable.

Overall: An all-around rock-solid sunscreen that packs tons of zing with low price to boot. I really enjoyed wearing this sunscreen spray. However, its UVA protection, though adequate and on par (or even better) than a lot of sunscreens with double, even triple its price, leaves something more to be desired. Fragrance-free. Likely to buy again.