I usually take my leftovers of suntan lotion and after sun on holiday but I read an article last year that the stability of sun protection lotions is unknown and as a result the shelf life of these products may have been over estimated. I quickly binned the dregs and half empty bottles that were lurking in my cupboards. New lotions and after sun were bought for my recent holiday to Kos, Greece.
I bought Garnier Amber Solaire moisturising protection spray and Garnier Amber Solaire After Sun hydrating tan maintainer. The packaging has changed slightly so I've included a picture of the actual one I bought.
This after sun claims to "hydrate skin and intensify suntan". It is suitable for the face and body being both non-greasy and non-sticky. The back of the tube reads "Is hydrating tan maintainer right for me? Yes, if
your skin needs rehydrating after a day in the sun, and you want to prolong and intensify your suntan." I admit is didn't read further down in the shop and purchased this 150ml bottle for £5.99.
The first application: After my first day in the sun I retrieved my new after sun from the hotel room fridge (a good tip for cooling the skin after sun exposure and for keeping your toiletries and cosmetics from going runny in the heat). Opening the flip top lid the after sun was a refreshing cucumber scent but not too powerful. It was a colourless opaque lotion that glided on easily and was quickly absorbed. As promised it wasn't greasy or sticky and I found I could dress quite soon after applying it as it soaked into my skin easily. My skin was soft and smooth plus the cooled hydrated feeling lasted through the night and until I applied my first sun protection coat in the mornings. My skin was really rehydrated by this after sun even after long days of exposure to the sun.
Continued Use: After a couple of days I noticed my fingernail whites had an orangey tint. It turns out that hydrating tan maintainer contains a low level of self tanning ingredients. Thus is subtly gives you a fake tan too. I was a bit miffed at first as the packaging leads you to believe it actually prolonged a tan rather than topping it up.
After some thought to how I'd rate this product when I came to review it and in an effort not to get splinters sitting on the fence, I decided that what I'd actually bought was a two in one light fake tan and after sun lotion product - bargain. So now I know exactly what it's doing I can better comment on this after sun.
My opinion: Firstly, as after suns go it is really good. I have eczema which usually flares up on holiday due to excessive wetting and drying of my skin in the pool and the sea. However I didn't have any patches of dry skin and didn't need to apply this after sun twice an evening or top it up with thicker moisturisers as I have in the past. I've been back from my hols for a week now and still no peeling or dry skin so good news on the moisturising stakes. My tan hasn't faded but equally I don't look streaky or at all like I've been faking it.
In total I've been using this aftersun everyday for a fortnight now and I'm nearing the end of the tube. I don't expect it to last another week so value for money wise I reckon it's about right as an after sun and very good value as a fake tanning product as rarely would you get that many applications for £5.99.
I fins it suitable for both body and face use as its light and easily absorbed. It doesn't interfere with make-up or perfume as it absorbed quickly and not greasy.
As far as a fake tan goes, no streaks which I usually experience. My hands are not orange even though I haven't been washing them after application as reccomended. A bit of bicarbonate of soda toothpaste and a nail brush brought the staining out of my nails while I was away so no harm done. As a bonus I couldn't smell the tanning ingredients either.
I've continued to use this since I've been back and I have no complaints. My tan usually fades pretty quickly but it has been maintained by nightly applications. Furthermore, when this bottle runs out I'm buying another to keep me topped up.
Garnier claim that this product is dermatologically tested which should mean that it is skin compatible although cosmetic research institutes have yet to agree on a definition for this so I can not comment on how sensitive skins might react to use.
Things I didn't like: All I can really moan about was the packaging. It's made for all over body use but the tube makes despensing smaller amounts for the face a little tricky. As with most all over body applications, when your hands are slippy it's harder to hold the tube. On the plus side it's upright stance means I won't be flicking it trying to get the lotion to the bottom when it's running out. I've also noticed that on tighter fitting white clothes, particularly underwear, there is some staining from the tanning ingredients that hasn't washed out.
Working ingredients (with simple science): Vitamin E - known for it's repairing of dry skin and also the vitamin used naturally by the skin to protect against sun damage.
Glycerin - which helps retain moisture within skin cells and likely prevents drying also.
Citronellol - a component of citronella a natural insectaside from grasses and usually found in garden candles, it prevents insect bites.
My final say:
Ambre solaire are underselling them selves on this one. I'd definitely recommend it as a tanning moisturiser even if you're not going on holiday. It is perfect as a light fake tan for people with fair skin that struggle to look natural or streak free when using fake tan and it gives the best hydrated feeling I've found from an aftersun.
If you are going on holiday the tanning is so light that it is undistinguishable from a natural tan, it maintains a healthy bronzed glow and really hydrates as an after sun should do.
Pictures of Garnier Ambre Solaire After Sun Maintainer
New packaging
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As usual I'm the "odd one out" on this subject - I really do prefer "pale and interesting", I think that the damage that over exposure to the sun does to us is only just becoming known. Mrs R. is always over sensitive about her "white" legs (I'm lucky mine are covered in dark hairs - ha ha ha....), I'd much rather have her around in many years to come than with a bronzed body right now though. Richard p.s, sorry, meant to say a very good review there EJ!
Pmshack99 13.07.2005 16:44
someone i know used an aftersun with a tan extender - she didnt realise it had fake tan in it and was going about boasting about how great her tan was. i thought it was so funny when i found out! good review, really detailed and interesting! paula x
jacpuss 08.07.2005 01:20
i learned that tip about putting after sun in the fridge a few years ago and ,you are right it realy does work at cooling the skin better.Good review but i think i will stick to my avon aftersun for the time being. lol jacquie xxxx
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