Alba Botanica Aloe Vera Hawaiian SPF 45 Sunscreen
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 45 · 4 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 5 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract, ginkgo biloba leaf extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 10 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, glycine soja oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil + 9 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Alcohol denat.~26–32%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer~5.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Persea gratissima oil~5.2–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilGlycine soja oil~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilAloe barbadensis leaf juice~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceCalendula officinalis flower extract~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractGinkgo biloba leaf extract~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in skin. It can be irritating
More about Ginkgo biloba leaf extractPanax ginseng root extract~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractTerpineol acetate~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethylhydroxy furanone~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinNonanal~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateVanillin~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Limonene~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.5–0.75%
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate10%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateOctocrylene10%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateWater~0.5–0.75%
Cetyl alcohol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholGlycerin~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinGlyceryl stearate se~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seDimethicone~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideVp/hexadecene copolymer~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates a nice product texture and can support water-resistance of sunscreens
More about Vp/hexadecene copolymerCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceCalendula officinalis flower extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractGinkgo biloba leaf extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in skin. It can be irritating
More about Ginkgo biloba leaf extractLavandula angustifolia flower extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Essential oil that can be irritating
More about Lavandula angustifolia flower extractTocopheryl acetate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateAlcohol~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholCetearyl alcohol~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCetearyl olivate~0.5–0.75%
Citric acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidLinalyl acetate~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polysorbate 60~0.5–0.75%
Sodium chloride~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateSorbitan olivate~0.5–0.75%
Triethyl citrate~0.45–0.7%
Xanthan gum~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBenzyl alcohol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Amyl cinnamal~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citral~0.35–0.65%
Citronellol~0.3–0.6%
Geraniol~0.35–0.6%
Hydroxycitronellal~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalLimonene~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.25–0.45%
Ingredient list view
Alcohol denat., Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, Persea gratissima oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Glycine soja oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Terpineol acetate, Dimethylhydroxy furanone, Glycerin, Nonanal, Tocopheryl acetate, Vanillin, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Water, Cetyl alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate se, Dimethicone, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Vp/hexadecene copolymer, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Lavandula angustifolia flower extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetearyl olivate, Citric acid, Linalyl acetate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium chloride, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Sorbitan olivate, Triethyl citrate, Xanthan gum, Benzyl alcohol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Amyl cinnamal, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Alba Botanica - Aloe Vera Hawaiian SPF 45 Sunscreen" can offer reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 10.00% (declared) and octocrylene 10.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
It contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Alba Botanica" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 8.49$ up to 13.96$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Cosmeceutical Critique: Ginkgo Bilobamdedge.com
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