Ambre Solaire with Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL

What is Garnier Ambre Solaire?

We’ve recently introduced the Garnier Ambre Solaire line of Mexoryl based sunscreens. Manufactured in Europe, Ambre Solaire is similar to Anthelios and Ombrelle—two top selling sunscreen brands—with regards to active ingredients. UPDATE DEC 2022—Garnier Ambre Solaire has been discontinued at PhaMix. Shop our other sunscreens here. 

I’m a big fan of Mexoryl based sunscreens. Not only because the combination of Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL provides excellent protection against the full UVA/UVB spectrum, but also because both molecules are photostable, ensuring that your sunscreen won’t let you down upon exposure to light.

Two brands that we’ve carried for a long time at PhaMix include La Roche Posay Anthelios and L’Oreal Ombrelle. Both brands contain either Mexoryl SX or Mexoryl XL or a combination of the two along with other sun filtering agents including titanium dioxide, avobenzone (Parsol 1789) stabilized with Octocrylene, and/or Tinosorb S.

The brands offer a range of formulations including sprays, creams, lotions and sticks to suit all skin types.

What Ambre Solaire Sunscreen is The Best?

Ambre Solaire sunscreens all offer broad spectrum protection against the sun’s ultraviolet rays so you can be assured of a defense against both the burning UVB rays and the aging UVA rays. If you’re looking for the best Ambre Solaire sunscreen, it really depends on your needs. Face or body? Water resistant or not? Kids or adults?

Thankfully, the line offers a wide range of formulations to suit all your sunscreen needs. We used to stock 4 different products (see table below). However, all have been discontinued at our store.

Is Garnier Ambre Solaire Physical or Chemical?

Garnier Ambre Solaire is a chemical blocking line of sunscreens. This means that they work to absorb UV rays and convert them into harmless energy. They may also help to deflect them as well.

All the formulations deliver high protection against skin damage and sunburn and are suitable for all skin types.

UV blocking ingredients, including Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid (Mexoryl SX), Drometrizole Trisiloxane (Mexoryl XL), Octisalate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone),  Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 140), Octocrylene, along with physical blocking, Titanium Dioxide, are included. And, the formulations are often enriched with skin nourishing ingredients including shea butter, aloe vera, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and glycerin, leaving skin feeling hydrated, without stickiness.

How Many UVA Stars Does Ambre Solaire Have?

The UVA star rating system (ranging from 0 to 5) is used in the United Kingdom as a measurement of how much UVA protection as sunscreen offers.

While SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rates how much protection our skin gets from the UVB rays that cause sunburn, it’s also important to protect against deeper penetrating UVA rays, which lead to premature aging, including wrinkles and age spots. That’s what the UVA star rating system helps with.

There isn’t currently an international rating system for UVA protection, but in the United Kingdom, guidelines specify that a sunscreen’s UVA protection should be at least a third of the labelled SPF. Products that meet this requirement can be labelled with a UVA logo and it means that the product offers a safe and effective amount of UVA protection.

According to the Boots rating system, most Ambre Solaire sunscreens carry a UVA Star Rating of between 3 and 4, leaving them at the moderate to higher end side of the rating system.

The Selection of Sunscreens