
0 of 1 advertised claim delivered
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
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.
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis 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.
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 extract.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
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 extractOil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
More about Rosa damascena extractA 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 HomosalateA 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 OctocryleneOctisalate. 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 salicylateWorks as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholOne 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 GlycerinA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholA 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 triglycerideA 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 DimethiconeCreates a nice product texture and can support water-resistance of sunscreens
More about Vp/hexadecene copolymerUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilTraditionally 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 juiceA fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin
More about Ananas sativus fruit extractCan 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 extractA plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractA fruit extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. There is no evidence of other benefits in skin
More about Mangifera indica fruit extractA fruit extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Psidium guajava fruit extractHelps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateA 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 acetateUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCan 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 AlcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolA fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumWater, Tin, Aloe barbadensis extract, Rosa damascena extract, Tin, Unknown, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Titanium dioxide, Water, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl alcohol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethicone, Vp/hexadecene copolymer, Glyceryl stearate se, Hydrogenated palm kernel oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Ananas sativus fruit extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Carica papaya fruit extract, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Mangifera indica fruit extract, Passiflora incarnata flower extract, Psidium guajava fruit extract, Cetearyl olivate, Polysorbate 60, Silica, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Sorbitan olivate, Tocopheryl acetate, Xanthan gum, Alcohol, Benzyl alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Benzyl salicylate, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Citronellol, Linalool, Parfum
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
"Alba Botanica - Hawaiian Sunscreen, SPF 30 Soothing Aloe Vera" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: octisalate, homosalate and octocrylene. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
This sunscreen 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.
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Alba Botanica" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
The product retails from 8.49$ up to 53.08$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.